Michael Taliferro (August 23, 1961 – May 4, 2006) was an American film and television actor and sportsman. He is best known for Life (1999), and The Replacements (2000), and made guest appearances on The Jamie Foxx Show, Martin, and The Parkers.
Michael Taliferro | |
|---|---|
 Taliferro in 2000 at the premiere for The Replacements | |
| Born | August 23, 1961 Fort Worth, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | (aged 44) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, sportsman, singer |
| Partner | Cathey L. Tyree |
| Children | 5 |
Career
editKnown for his intimidating stature, Taliferro was signed by the Washington Redskins in 1984, followed by two seasons in the USFL with the Denver Gold in 1985 and the Arizona Outlaws in 1986, finishing his athletic career with the British Columbia Lions in the Canadian Football League the following year.[1][2]
Soon after, Taliferro moved to California and began his acting career. He was discovered by film director Tony Scott, who offered him a bit part in The Last Boy Scout.[1] His first credited film appearance was in the 1993 film Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, where he played the role of a security guard. He also made appearances in the films Bad Boys, Life, Half Past Dead, Ride or Die, You Got Served and Blue Hill Avenue. In 2003, Taliferro completed filming A Day in the Life. He also directed and produced Steppin: The Movie, which was completed in 2007.
Personal life
editTaliferro was born in Fort Worth, Texas, and had a brother, James and two sisters, Olga and Cheryl.[1]
Taliferro was a Christian and went to a Christian school.[2] He attended Texas Christian University. He never married but was engaged to Cathey L. Tyree and had four children.
Taliferro died on May 4, 2006, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 44. The cause of death was a stroke. He was interred at Spring Hill Cemetery in Brooksville, Florida.
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit | Security Guard | Credited as Michael "Bear" Taliferro |
| 1995 | Bad Boys | Black Carjacker | |
| 1996 | A Thin Line Between Love and Hate | Club Security #1 | |
| Misfit Patrol | Bear & Cub Band | ||
| 1998 | Armageddon | Roughneck #2 | Credited as Michael "Bear" Taliferro |
| 1999 | Life | Goldmouth | Credited as Michael "Bear" Taliferro |
| 2000 | The Replacements | André Jackson | Credited as Michael "Bear" Taliferro |
| 2001 | Blue Hill Avenue | Simon | Credited as Michael "Bear" Taliferro |
| 2002 | Half Past Dead | Little Joe | Credited as Michael "Bear" Taliferro |
| 2003 | Rude Boy: The Jamaican Don | Biggs | |
| Ride or Die | B Free | ||
| 2004 | You Got Served | Emerald | Credited as Michael "Bear" Taliferro |
| 2009 | A Day in the Life | Brian Smith | (final film role) |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Witch Hunt | Zombie | TV movie Credited as Michael "Bear" Taliferro |
| 1996 | The Drew Carey Show | Delivery Man #1 | Episode: "Something Wick This Way Comes" |
| The Jamie Foxx Show | Wide Clyde | 3 episodes | |
| 1997 | Martin | Hammer | 2 episodes |
| 2000 | Arli$$ | Otis | Episode: "I Get Involved" |
| 2002 | The Parkers | Kyle | Episode: "The Dates from Hell" |
References
edit- ^ a b c "Friends, relatives bid farewell to "Bear'". Retrieved May 20, 2022.
- ^ a b "Michael Taliferro". Archived from the original on 2007-11-08. Retrieved 2007-10-22.