Michael Smiley started his acting career as a stand up comedian. He was runner-up in the “So You Think You’re Funny” competition at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. He co-starred as Tyres O’Flaherty, the bicycle-riding raver, alongside his former flatmate, Simon Pegg, in “Spaced” and as a memorable zombie in “Shaun of the Dead”
In 2003 Michael guest starred in “Doctor Who” and appeared in all three series of “The Maltby Collection”. In 2010 he had his first major film role in “Burke & Hare” alongside Simon Pegg and Jessica Hynes.
In 2011 he won Best Supporting Actor at the British Independent Film Awards for his role in “Kill List”. In 2013 he appeared in “Ripper Street” and Channel 4’s “Utopia”.
In May 2014, to coincide with the opening stages of the Giro d”Italia, Michael Smiley’s passion for cycling was documented in the BBC’s “Something to Ride Home About”, featuring Michael cycling around Northern Ireland and meeting local people.
Michael who currently stars in “The Lobster” with Rachel Weisz jokes, “I’m an overnight success after 20 years!”
Despite his busy schedule, Michael very kindly jumped at the chance of reading a poem for the “NOT IN OUR NAME” CD and, although his kitchen ceiling fell down the very morning he was due to record, he arrived at the LUCKY CAT recording studio in Soho on time. He said, “I consider it an honour to be invited to read. And what’s a kitchen ceiling compared to your cause?”
