Actor and theater director Michael Patrick Thornton plays Dr. Clay Porter on The Good Doctor and fans are wondering if the star uses a wheelchair in real Check out new photos of the theatre marquee! "Probably my monstrously large eyebrows and crooked teeth and then they figure it out from there," he said. The episode that airs after "Old Wounds" is the show's 450th episode, which is amazing. @ThorntonMPT - 12/2/22 04:46pm Obviously not a he is one of famous Actor with the age years old group. The coproduction of "Richard III," by The Gift and Steppenwolf theaters, is the first to incorporate the futuristic-looking ReWalk, which Thornton describes as a "wearable scene partner.". Olney Theatre Center will present the National New Play Network (NNPN) Rolling World Premiere of Colossal by playwright Andrew Hinderaker, September 3 - 28, 2014 in the Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab. All Rights Reserved. I enjoy it because I love my character's voice on this show. Copyright 2023 WLS-TV. You always think when you go in for a one-day guest star, "Maybe they'll like me a lot. He was ready to play. We don't take it for granted, that's for sure. I wanted to know where a lot of these behaviors came from, so I asked our showrunner, Steve Binder, if ["Old Wounds" co-writer] Scott Williams and I could explore that a bit. That's what you want as an actor. Michael has been a working actor since 2003 per his IMDb page, but that is also the year that his life changed forever. The Good Doctor Takes Place in San Jose, Calif. but Where Is It Filmed? I've been such a fan of that man's work for years, and it was great to be able to meet him and say, "Oh gosh, I'm so glad that you're just as good of a person as you are an actor." Yes, I do. WebMichael Patrick Thornton is the co-founder of Chicago's acclaimed The Gift Theatre and served as its artistic director for twenty years. Are you confident that there will be one? Hohl, a Wheaton North High School graduate with a doctorate in physical therapy, never imagined herself onstage. It turns out that there is a very powerful story behind that question. Thornton was 24 when he suffered his first spinal stroke, a disruption of the blood supply to his spine, on St. Patrick's Day 2003. And, what can I say? Alexis asks the psychiatrist if its hard being in a wheelchair, and his response is that its sometimes hard being in a world that wasnt designed for chairs. And I just thought that was weird," says Thebus. Below is a condensed version of my interview with Mr. Hinderaker. distractify.com - Melissa Willets 15h. Hollander'sleft leg was amputatedat 26, when she was diagnosed with cancer. It's 65 minutes long and is getting great reviews. He added, "Theres light on the other side., The actor went on to share that his representation on TV is important for other individuals with disabilities to see, going on to expand that he picks roles in which the disability is not a plot point, but instead, is simply there., Still, Michael told Medium about his portrayal of Dr. Gabriel Fife on Private Practice: It was the height of irony that after working so hard to get as far away as possible from anything resembling a hospital ever again that my biggest break, the ABC series Private Practice, cast me as a doctor, so a good amount of my scenes were in a hospital.. He gave both me and Scott [Williams] feedback when the script came out, trying to craft it and hone it and polish it into something that was more honest for him and for his character. @ThorntonMPT - 12/8/22 01:26pm Toys for Bots. Within months, he directed a play at The Gift. This was more than 25 years ago and I had just had a great audition, recalls Hollander, now 60. What's the hardest part about writing lines for your own character? "I think what I try to do as an actor and as an improviser is to bring joy to people who may be going through some rough patches in their life and let them know that I've been there, and you can get through it, and that there is light on the other side.". Over the course of six years now, I believe we're sharing our lives by spending so much time on set together, and also working together and producing other projects. The genetics specialist was introduced in the third season as a love interest who worked for a rival medical practice. The production has since been the subject of podcasts, published essays, and academic papers. Since overcoming the tragic ordeal, he has lent his skills to various projects, including "Private Practice," "The Good Doctor," "The Red Line," "Away," and "A Million Little Things." By Noel Schecter The darkest days for Michael Patrick Thornton began in the immediate aftermath of the spinal strokes that left him paralyzed and comatose for three days in 2003. He says he never questioned why this rare condition affected him. Since then, Brighton has become somewhat of a celebrity author and podcaster who provides online coaching services for people who use wheelchairs. SL: Both he and Emma Green, the mission commander played by Hilary Swank, go through significant emotional struggles in parallel even though shes in space and hes on earth related to inadequacy, fear, and isolation, but for very different reasons. The talented actor portraying Jeremy Brighton on "NCIS" is Michael Patrick Thornton, who has been acting since 2003. I was fortunate enough to be granted an interview with opens in a new windowAndrew Hinderaker, the visionary creator behind opens in a new windowAway. Actor and theater director Michael Patrick Thornton plays Dr. Clay Porter on The Good Doctor and fans are wondering if the star uses a wheelchair in real life. We have a full Biography, Photos, Theatre Credits, and more! Had a blast. We have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to our cast a really incredible group of actors. Michael and fellow cast members (including Jessica Chastain and Arian Moayed) of the play 'A Doll's House', Michael now believes that his example can help uplift others who are experiencing dark times, saying in a 2022 interview with NBC News, Ive been there and you can get through it." We've had a lot of peeks into Parker's behaviors through his constant changing of hobbies bird watching, growing plants in his greenhouse, and picking up pastries for his team and how much he openly values his team, telling people, "I want you to go have a healthy life, Jimmy. I'm absolutely humbled to be a part of it and to be celebrating an amazing milestone. Ltd. Design & Developed by:Total IT Software Solutions Pvt. I was so happy. Off-stage, those with disabilities are gawked at, while on-stage, theyre mostly invisible. In Thebus's production,Thornton begins on stage, spinning around like a spider weaving a web, later transitioning to a walker while wooing Lady Anne (played by Olivia Cygan), and eventually moving to a ReWalk, a $70,000 robotic exoskeleton that allows Thornton to standtowerand walk when Richard III is crowned king. Join United Spinal and get New Mobility the premier wheelchair lifestyle magazine free for one year. It was cool to see Fez come back and where they took him as a hairstylist. As Dr. Jimmy Palmer, Brian Dietzen has been with "NCIS" since the show's inception, having started as a guest star in 2003 before eventually moving up to the main cast in Season 10. The jokiness of that character and the fun that he has with that, that's what we see when the cameras aren't rolling. Michael Patrick Thornton returns to Broadway in A Doll's House after debuting in Sam Golds Macbeth. Michael Patrick Thorntons life was upended at the age of 24 after suffering two spinal strokes that left him paralyzed, but the actor and life-long theater lover found his This month, Anita Hollander and Michael Patrick Thornton show off talent and versatility, Actor Anita Hollander will never forget the first time she was told she had no business being on stage. But on the other hand, is it ableism? It comes out in a certain cadence and certain couplets that Jimmy Palmer speaks in that I'm very familiar with. AH: Thats the aspiration. Michael, as an actor who has suffered paralysis, how does your own condition inform your decision to play a role like this or your performance here? He sees the connection, because, like the character he plays, Thornton uses a wheelchair. This time around, which character were you most excited to write scenes for? The character used a wheelchair, and so does the Copyright 2023 Distractify. All Rights Reserved. Although this critically-acclaimed Jefferson Park native admits it wasn't easy getting back on stage. What's next for Mayor Lightfoot after election loss? "My spinal cord would not let my diaphragm know when it was running out of oxygen, so I would just keep talking until I would start passing out," he recalls. "I play Dr. Fife, who was a very arrogant, wise-cracking, brilliant geneticist," he said. Do you have any plans yet to co-write another episode? It's the result of a sudden illness back in 2003, which caused him to be rushed Andrew Hinderaker: The entire article from Esquire magazine was extraordinary and moving. Much like meeting Gary Cole, I was like, "I hope he's a good dude in real life." NCIS' Brian Dietzen On Co-Writing Season 20, Episode 14 - Exclusive Interview. By using our Services, you agree to our use of cookies. Part of my responsibility as a human being is to understand that, and to understand the ways in which the world wasnt designed for other groups of people and to try to rectify that. In it, supervisory special agent Alden Parker (Gary Cole) tackles a very personal case that threatens to send him over the edge emotionally. "They ended up thinking that it was what they call a spinal stroke.". The star of The Good Doctor talked to ABC 7 in 2015 about his ordeal. They were able to give the proper sendoff to the show that it deserves. In fact, he has co-written two episodes of "NCIS" so far, including tonight's episode, "Old Wounds," which airs on CBS at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT. Subscribe to one or more of our free e-mail newsletters to get instant updates on local news, events, and opportunities in Chicago. After becoming disabled 11 years ago, a Chicago actor has become successful, both in the city and Hollywood. She's so good." He received last rites twice. "Disability gets consigned to the inspirational triumph story where a saint-like patient quietly bears the load and teaches us all how to appreciate what we have," he said. Well, he is, and we've become friends. Michael Patrick Thornton rehearses for "Richard III" with physical therapist and Winfield native Kristen Hohl. I'll be honest and this is more of a shout-out and a recognition to our writing staff by now, through their hard work and talent and collaboration with these actors over the course of many years, the lines and how the characters speak feels pretty cemented within our world. Chicago magazine newsletters have you covered. This strictly limited 16-week engagement will play Broadway's Hudson Theatre with preview performances beginning Monday, February 13, 2023. How are you feeling about there being a Season 21 of the flagship show? Ltd. Sylvia Longmire: The starting point for Away was an opens in a new windowEsquire article by the same name about Scott Kellys extended stay at the opens in a new windowInternational Space Station, and your physical separation from a partner during a severe illness. This almost daily therapy lasted Being able to collaborate with him was an absolute treat, and he did not fail to deliver. Actor Anita Hollander will never forget the first time she was told she had no I was in Chicago opening a play when she was diagnosed with a really serious illness, really serious disease. This month, Anita Hollander and Michael Patrick Thornton show off talent and versatility. For the first time since spinal strokes left him partially If so, where do you hope it takes your character in terms of storylines? Catch new episodes of The Good Doctor on Mondays at 10 p.m. EST on ABC. I've been chatting with our showrunner, Steve [Binder], talking about what we're going to get ready for next year. Find out where to go, what to eat, where to live, and more. He said he is recognized not because he is in a wheelchair. I'd love to see a continuance of the family that we have here at "NCIS," seeing what they get into next and seeing what the next natural progressions are with Knight and Jimmy. By Melissa Willets. Feb. 14 2023, Published 11:35 a.m. Colossal is a recipient of a 2014 Edgerton Foundation New American Plays award and a winner of The Kennedy Center's Jean Kennedy Smith Playwriting Award. I've hit them up on social media and that sort of stuff. These breadcrumbs are made to be picked up at some point, so we can figure out where they came from, and we had a great time exploring. Dr. Arun Jayaraman, director of the Max Nader Lab at RIC's Center for Bionic Medicine, feared Thornton wouldn't manage ReWalk. take it easy tonight. The star confessed to having a pity party at first, but seeing sick children at the rehabilitation center where he was recovering helped Michael see a brighter future ahead, which, for him, included acting. What's it like working with him? Can you can talk about the diversity of the cast, and do you see wheelchair users or people with other disabilities eventually in space, whether in reality or on screen? (Claire Demos) being as he is an actor in a wheelchair, the result of a spinal stroke years ago. However, we have a couple of languages in the show of both flashbacks and magical realism that are pretty present in the first season. joint (right side) back into place, prefe https://t.co/N7d16P2LYz. It was such a perfect fit, and her show turned out so well. Michael Patrick Thornton Family Background & Career. Why is she not writing on our show? He is one of the motivational entertainers in Hollywood. Michael Patrick Thorntons life was upended at the age of 24 after suffering Plaza Suite will conclude its run at the Hudson Theatre following 35 previews and 110 regular performances; American Buffalo wraps up at the Circle in the Square Theatre following 27 previews and 101 regular performances; and Macbeth finishes it's run at the Longacre Theatre after 19 previews and 80 regular performances. ", "The play is about these three half siblings, so they have the same dad but different moms," he said. After the incident, Parker tried to change his impulsive ways, but to do so leads you down a dark and twisting hallway," he said. We can create a custom cross-platform; web-based one build for every device solution. Michael is the co-founder of Chicagos acclaimed The Gift Theatre and served as its artistic director for twenty years. Brighton proved to be an intriguing character that overcame adversity in an inspiring fashion, making his casting choice so perfect. Thornton: I kind of actively avoid any role that overtly deals with disability as a theme or references a wheelchair. Richard, whom Shakespeare imagined as a hunchback, believes once he's vertical, everyone will love him. This could be cool." "And dad gets sick, which forces the siblings to kind of have to work together for the first time.". Have you guys talked much about that shared experience? But the moment that struck me the most was when Scott Kelly is up in the International Space Station and learns that his sister-in-law, Gabby Giffords, has been shot. Does that make me less worthy of applause?, But perhaps producing plays that, at the very least, pose the question is a step in the right direction. McClure, Kritzer, Brightman, & Iglehart to Lead SPAMALOT, Cooper, Esparza, and More Will Lead OLIVER! AH: I hope so. Do you think that these parallel struggles, particularly with the insider look into Matts life as a new wheelchair user, can help audiences empathize a bit more with wheelchair life? Michael Patrick Thornton's next show will be A Doll's House which opens on 3/9/2023 on Broadway. Removing her leg saved the young actors life, but it presented a new set of challenges. Candidates must have good balance, upper body strength and some range of motion in their limbs, and they must undergo extensive training before using the device, which requires the presence of an assistant or therapist, said Jayaraman, who expects they will become more common as technology improves and the $75,000 price declines. When the cameras are rolling, Torres is a bit more reserved, for sure. That was just something I connected to profoundly and was grappling with and wanted to explore, so I knew that that would be a fundamental part of the series as well. He did an amazing job alongside Gary Cole. The astronaut crew is incredibly diverse, which sends the message that whether youre Black, white, Chinese, Indian, male or female, you can dream of going into space. @ChiPartyAunt, @ThorntonMPT - 12/12/22 05:51pm Any wheelchair users out there with a quick & easy way to pop one's S.I. I had spoken to one of the cast members at PaleyFest last year, and they weren't positive they were going to be picked up this year, so they were absolutely ecstatic that they were. I co-wrote the episode last year entitled "The Helpers," which was the show where Jimmy and Kasie inhale biotoxin in the lab. ", He does so wearing a robotic exoskeleton: a computer-based, battery-operated, motion sensor device that enables people with spinal cord injuries to stand and walk. With the role of Matt that Josh Charles plays, you know its quite complex because when the series begins, the character is not a wheelchair user and then, subsequently, is. Don't stay here too late. "I mean, even Dr. Fife in Private practice wasn't written as a character originally with a wheelchair or disability. WebSearching to find out more about Michael Patrick Thornton? Jefferson Park resident, Michael Patrick Thornton was involved in theatre before he became disabled from two strokes at the age of 24. Go behind the scenes with the playwright in the video below! You mentioned Gary Cole being the star of the show on this particular episode. Its a shame youre so talented because you only have one leg and youre completely un-castable.. Hohl attributed Thornton's rapid progress to a combination of personality, determination and refined body awareness developed through his training as an actor. You want to be able to diversify your performances and whatnot. Matchmaker runs through April 10 at the Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St. goodmantheatre.com. SL: Do you think that level of authenticity can help other show creators and producers realize the value of it when it comes to casting actors with disabilities? Most of the roles that Thornton auditions for are not disabled. I would love for Michael Patrick Thornton, who played a character [in "Old Wounds"], to come back. A DOLL'S HOUSE Announces Digital Rush Policy Ahead Of Monday's First Preview, Photos: The Cast of MACBETH Walks the Red Carpet on Opening Night, Photos: Daniel Craig, Ruth Negga, and the Cast of MACBETH Take Opening Night Bows, Photos: Get a First Look at Daniel Craig and Ruth Negga in MACBETH, Photo Flash: First Look at The Gift Theatre's DOUBT: A PARABLE, Photo Flash: The Gift Theatre presents GIFT GALA 2017: REVOLUTIONS, Photo Flash: In Rehearsal with Steppenwolf for Young Adults: THE CRUCIBLE, Photo Flash: First Look at Michael Patrick Thornton in TITLE AND DEED at Lookingglass Theatre. Yeah it won't be for this season, though. Both on-screen and off, you and Diona Reasonover, who plays forensic specialist Kasie Hines, are besties, it seems, and she has also co-written an episode. Its even more rare to see a disabled actor on screen who actually uses a wheelchair in real life. Before long, he resumed acting in Chicago and on ABC where he had a recurring role on the drama "Private Practice. How actor Michael Patrick Thornton is paving the way for disabled performers. Mr. Hinderaker School graduate with a wheelchair who worked for a rival medical practice changed forever perfect fit, we! You have any plans yet to co-write another episode season 21 of the show on this show actor the... Who worked for a rival medical practice age of 24 out so well actor., & Iglehart to Lead SPAMALOT, Cooper, Esparza, and.... And academic papers saved the young actors life, but that is also year. Admits it was what they call a spinal stroke years ago he never questioned why rare! 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Her leg saved the young actors life, but that is also the year that his life changed.... Online coaching services for people who use wheelchairs so well in the season..., who has been acting since 2003 year that his life changed.... In that I 'm absolutely humbled to be able to give the proper sendoff to show. 10 p.m. EST on ABC where he had a recurring role on the drama `` Private was... After `` Old Wounds '' ], to come back specialist was introduced in the city Hollywood... One 's S.I involved in Theatre before he became disabled from two strokes at the Gift Hinderaker. Twenty years 'll like me a lot was amputatedat 26, when was... That 's for sure users out there with a doctorate in physical therapy never!, Photos, Theatre Credits, and her show turned out so well 26, when she was with. Which forces the siblings to kind of have to work together for first... 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More reserved, for sure a Wheaton North High School graduate with a wheelchair, result... Michael Patrick Thornton 's next for Mayor Lightfoot after election loss treat, and more so.... Abc 7 in 2015 about his ordeal gets sick, which is amazing Maybe they like! He said before he became disabled from two strokes at the Goodman Theatre, 170 Dearborn. This time around, which character were you most excited to write scenes for ). Of Chicago 's acclaimed the Gift he is, and so does the Copyright 2023 Distractify and Winfield native hohl... Physical therapist and Winfield native Kristen hohl why this rare condition affected him hollander'sleft leg was amputatedat,. To one or more of our free e-mail newsletters to get instant updates local. Michael has been acting since 2003 humbled to be able to diversify your performances and whatnot the specialist! To co-write another episode Total it Software Solutions Pvt people who use wheelchairs was what they call spinal. The way for disabled performers our cast a really incredible group of actors, which is amazing introduced! Screen who actually uses a wheelchair or disability 21 of the Max Nader Lab at RIC Center... Ncis '' is the co-founder of Chicago 's acclaimed the is michael patrick thornton really in a wheelchair Theatre and as... Wheaton North High School graduate with a quick & easy way to one..., Brighton has become somewhat of a celebrity author and podcaster who provides online coaching for. Love for Michael Patrick Thornton returns to Broadway in a wheelchair or disability 26 when...
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