Michael A. Goorjian

Michael A. Goorjian, born on February 4, 1971, in San Francisco, is a multifaceted American filmmaker, writer, and actor. He gained acclaim when he won an Emmy Award in 1994 for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Special for his portrayal of David Goodson in the television film *David's Mother*. Goorjian is also recognized for his role as Justin, the love interest of Neve Campbell’s character in the popular series *Party of Five* (1994–2000), and for his performances as Heroin Bob in *SLC Punk!* (1998) and its sequel, *Punk's Dead* (2016).

Goorjian was raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. His father, Peter, is of Armenian descent—his grandparents survived the Armenian genocide—while his mother, Sarah, has Scottish-American roots. He attended Bishop O'Dowd High School in Oakland, where he honed his acting skills in a robust drama program. His journey began at 14 when he auditioned for a local theater group, landing a lead role in a play, despite the cast being primarily senior citizens. This experience solidified his passion for acting, leading him to train at UCLA’s School of Theatre, Film and Television.

He made his Hollywood debut as a dancer in the 1992 Disney film *Newsies* and went on to appear in several notable films, including *Chaplin* and *Leaving Las Vegas*. Transitioning to directing, Goorjian made waves with his independent film *Illusion* (2004), starring Kirk Douglas, which garnered numerous festival accolades. His recent projects include collaborations with Hay House, producing films that explore profound philosophical themes, such as *You Can Heal Your Life* (2007) and *Tales of Everyday Magic*.