Michael Anthony, (born Michael Gould, Jr.) also known by the stage name Mike Bless,[1] is an American actor, singer-songwriter, and former serviceman in the United States Air Force.[2] He is known for appearing in TV series such as Raising Dion,[2] Chicago Med,[2] Big 50 – The Delronda Hood Story, and Ready to Love.[3]
Michael Anthony | |
|---|---|
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| Born | Michael Gould, Jr. |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupations |
|
Early life
editAnthony was born in Akron, Ohio and was raised in Akron and Buffalo, New York.[4] He eventually joined the military,[5] achieving a rank of E-4/SRA in the U.S. Air Force.[2] He was in U.S. Air Force Security Forces during Operation Enduring Freedom.[2]
Career
editIn 2008, Anthony entered Slip-n-Slide Records' "The Next Big Superstar" competition. He won the competition and was signed to a record deal under the stage name Mike Bless.[6][7] As Mike Bless, he released the singles "Do It Like This" in 2009[8] and "Gone" in 2011.[9] He also released a mixtape titled Mr. Make It Happen in 2009.
Anthony began acting after doing production work on a film soundtrack. After meeting him, the film's director suggested him to audition for a role in the movie, which he was then cast in.[2]
Anthony was one of the contestants in the first season of OWN's reality television series Ready to Love, which premiered in 2018.[10][11][12]
In 2020, Anthony guest-starred in the Netflix series Kings of Jo'burg, which was created and produced by Shona Ferguson.[13][14] Anthony was also cast in a lead role in the short film She Had to Ask, which premiered on Allblk in the same year.[15]
Anthony was cast as Ricky in the BET+ original film Big 50 – The Delronda Hood Story, which premiered in 2021.[16][17][18][19] Anthony was also cast in a recurring role as Gary Stafford in Raising Dion.[20][21]
Other television series that Anthony has appeared in include Chicago Med, Greenleaf, Dynasty, MacGyver, Black Lightning, and The Outsider.[2][22]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Trunk | Mr. Bleep | Short |
| 2019 | Cold Feet at Christmas | 1st Wedding Hall Guest | TV movie |
| Dear Santa, I Need a Date | Fred | TV movie | |
| 2020 | False Advertisement | Mike | |
| She Had to Ask | Graham | Short | |
| 2021 | Lust: A Seven Deadly Sins Story | Magic | TV movie |
| Big 50 – The Delronda Hood Story | Ricky | ||
| Dating Hell | Josh | ||
| 2022 | MAMILs | Gerald | Short |
| Secret Headquarters | Wisconsin | [23] | |
| End of the Road | Jake | ||
| The Sound of Christmas | Rio | ||
| Strange Love | Chip | ||
| Grief | - | Short |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight | Robin Wood (voice) | Episode: "No Future for You: Part 1" |
| 2019 | Greenleaf | Prison Guard | Episode: "Did I Lose You?" |
| Bluff City Law | FCI Guard | Episode: "Pilot" | |
| Black Lightning | Stone Killer | Episode: "The Book of Occupation: Chapter Two: Maryam's Tasbih" | |
| Tell Me a Story | Malcolm | Episode: "Number One Fan" | |
| 2020 | The Outsider | Inmate | Episode: "Fish in a Barrel" |
| Dynasty | Duane | Episode: "Battle Lines" | |
| MacGyver | Suit #1 | Episode: "Father + Son + Father + Matriarch" | |
| American Soul | Carl | Episode: "Lovely Day" & "So Long, Sucker" | |
| Chicago Med | Officer Simmons | Episode: "Those Things Hidden in Plain Sight" | |
| Kings of Jo'burg | Magic | Episode: "We Are Brothers" & "The Sacrifice" | |
| 2021 | Covenant | Malcolm Fuller | Episode: "The Promise - Part 1 & 2" |
| 2021-22 | The Game | DeMarco Brown | Recurring cast: season 1 |
| 2022 | Raising Dion | Gary Stafford | Recurring cast: season 2 |
| Power Book IV: Force | Tank | Episode: "King of the Goddamn Hill" | |
| Saints & Sinners | Ray Ray | Recurring cast: season 6 | |
| 2023 | Tomorrow's Monsters | Army Medic | Episode: "Introducing: Bridgewater Season 2" |
| The Walking Dead: Dead City | Luther | Guest role: season 1 |
Discography
edit- Singles
| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Do It Like This" | 2009 | Non-album single |
| "Gone" | 2011 | Non-album single |
- Mixtapes
| Title | Released | Label | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mr. Make It Happen (Vol. 1) | 3 Dec 2009 | Slip-n-Slide Records | Streaming |
References
edit- ^ "Mike Bless applauds Connie Ferguson's strength at the gym". Justnje.com. February 2, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g "[Interview] 8 Questions With "Big Fifty" Actor Michael Anthony". Btscelebs.com. October 7, 2021.
- ^ ""Ready To Love" star Mike Anthony is teaching men to keep it real while dating. ( And he's still going strong with Shea.)". TheGrio.com. January 13, 2019.
- ^ "Mikeblessmusic". OurStage.com.
- ^ "Ready To Love: season 1/ Episode 2 "First Dates" – Recap/ Review (with Spoilers)". Wherever-i-look.com. 28 October 2018.
- ^ "Mike Bless: Nicki Minaj Is Among "the Greatest Rappers of Our Time"". Nbcmiami.com. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
- ^ "Slip-N-Slide CEO Not Surprised Rick Ross Tops Chart". Billboard. 29 April 2009.
- ^ McLeod, Raina. "MP3 of the Day: "Do It Like This" From Slip 'N' Slide's Newest Artist, Mike Bless". Miami New Times.
- ^ "Mike bless". Tidal.com. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
- ^ "Michael Anthony of 'Ready to Love' gets real about dating". Rollingout.com. January 11, 2019.
- ^ "Ready to Love Update: Mike – season 1". Oprah.com.
- ^ "Will Mike and Shea be able to break the reality show relationship curse?". Rollingout.com. December 30, 2018.
- ^ Malatse, Lebo (December 23, 2020). "'Kings of Jo'Burg,' Season 1 Episode 5: "We Are Brothers" — RECAP". Blackgirlnerds.com.
- ^ "Shona Ferguson shares more visuals from upcoming series, Kings Of Jo'burg". Justnje.com. January 28, 2020.
- ^ "She Had to Ask". Allblk.tv.
- ^ "(Watch) Big Fifty x Cast Share Priceless On Set Stories". Rightondigital.com. September 29, 2021.
- ^ Grant, Shawn (September 21, 2021). "Remy Ma Stars in Lead Role as "Big Fifty" in Trailer of BET+ Original Film". The Source.
- ^ Wanjiru, Ellen J. (2021-09-20). "TRAILER: 'REMY MA' Makes Acting Debut in a Leading Role as Detroit's Legendary 'Big Fifty' in BET+ Original Film". Blackfilm.com. Retrieved 2022-03-02.
- ^ Benoit, Kevin (October 1, 2021). "[FIRST LOOK] 'Big 50: The Delrhonda Hood Story' Starring Remy Ma". Parlemag.com.
- ^ "Raising Dion (2019)". Watch.plex.tv. October 4, 2019.
- ^ "'Raising Dion' Season 2: Netflix Release Date & What We Know So Far – What's on Netflix". Indianewsrepublic.in. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
- ^ "Michael Anthony: Movies, TV, and Bio". Amazon.com.
- ^ "Actor Michael Anthony is the right man for the role". Rollingout.com. 2021-11-18. Retrieved 2022-01-07.