Michael Cera

Michael Austin Cera (born 7.6.1988) Michael Cera is an American actor and Producer known for his socially awkward teenager film roles in Juno, Scott Pilgrim vs The World, Superbad and Nick and Norah's infinite playlist. Michael Cera is also acknowledged for his role as George-Michael in cult television series, Arrested Development.

Childhood: Cera was born in Brampton, Ontario, Canada to immigrated parents, Linda, a native of Quebec and father Luigi, a technician from Sicily who both worked for Xerox. Cera has two sisters and has stated he became interested in acting when he repeatedly watched Ghostbusters whilst diagnosed with chicken pox at three years old. Cera has also stated idolising Bill Murray and enrolled at the Second City improvisation comedy venue taking improvisation classes.

He attended Conestoga Public School, Robert H. Lagerquist Senior Public School and Heart Lake Secondary School until grade nine, but then completed school online through grade 12 due to being cast in Arrested Development.

Acting Career: Michael Cera began his career, working unpaid on Tim Hortons summercamp advertisements which lead to further advertisement work. He obtained his first television role as Larrabe Hicks on Canadian comedy series, My Best Friend is an Alien. Cera also got appearing roles in television series: Twice in a Lifetime and Noddy. Cera continued to act in small roles and short films before being cast as Chuck Barris in Confessions of a Dangerous Mind after voicing Josh Spitz in Braceface.

In 2003 Cera was cast as George-Michael Booth, a socially awkward teenager, forced to live with his deranged extended family in cult hit Arrested Development. He was one of the initial castings and was praised for his maturity despite his young age. Cera spent three hours a day online in order for him to receive his education. He acted alongside notable and successful co-stars Jason Bateman, Will Arnett and Portia De Rossi. The award winning show was cancelled after three series for six years however recently returned as part of Netflix for its fourth series.

Cera went onto to star in award winning short Darling Darling for which he was awarded Best Actor at the San Gio Festival in Verona, Italy. Cera continued to act in supporting roles on television and marketing videos including work with Judd Apatow which lead to Cera being cast in Seth Rogen's and Evan Goldberg's original screenplay, Superbad. He co-starred alongside Jonah Hill and obtainined critical success for his role as socially awkward Evan. Cera continued his form in independent film, Juno, co-starring alongside Academy Award nominated Ellen Page. Juno was in the official selection for best movie at the AFI awards and was nominated for an Academy Award for best writing.

Cera made the most out of his youth, acting as broken hearted teen in Nick and Norah's Infinite playlist. He also portrayed his musical ability previously featured in Juno and later featured in Scott Pilgrim vs The World. Cera worked with one of his personal inspiration, Ghostbusters director, Harold Ramis in Year One, co-starring alongside Jack Black. The film received mixed public and critical response due to its stupid nature. Cera distanced himself from his 'good boy' image in Youth in Revolt where he played split personality character Nick (a character name that has become associated with Cera).

Cera starred in Edgar Wright's (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) Scott Pilgrim vs The World. The film made multiple intertextual references and appealed to Cera's youthful nature which got him hired for the role. Edgar Wright can be viewed interviewing Cera and Jonah Hill as part of Superbad's promotion/marketing. Cera featured in an episode of the Simpsons as Nick whilst maintaining his small television roles and film roles.

Cera spent 5 weeks in Chile learning Spanish for his role in independent film Magic Magic. Cera recently featured in Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg's This Is the End, portraying himself as an alter-ego, a confident, drug abuser, sex addict.

Personal Life: 'I've been working since I was 9 and I haven't really focused the same amount of energy in my personal life. So that's something I may actually have to put a lot of work into'. - Michael Cera.