Michael Emerson

マイケル・エマーソン　/　まいける・えまーそん

American actor

September 7, 1954 (age 71)　・　Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States

Iowa
actor
stage actor
television actor

My Take

Michael Emerson is one of those actors who makes you forget there's a human being behind the character — and I mean that as the highest possible compliment. When he slithered onto Lost as Benjamin Linus, this mild-mannered guy from Cedar Rapids, Iowa somehow became the most unnerving presence on television, delivering threats in the softest voice imaginable. Two Emmy Awards later, he proved it wasn't a fluke: his Harold Finch in Person of Interest brought a quiet, wounded dignity to a sci-fi thriller that could've easily stayed shallow. And honestly, his turn as the sinister Dr. Leland Townsend in Evil reminded me all over again that nobody does creeping menace wrapped in intellectual calm quite like him. Drake University clearly produced something special.

Overview

Michael Emerson (born September 7, 1954) is an American actor. He is best known for his roles as Benjamin Linus on Lost (2006–2010) and as Harold Finch in the CBS series Person of Interest (2011–2016). Other prominent roles include Zep Hindle in the horror film Saw (2004) and as Dr. Leland Townsend in the Paramount+ thriller series Evil (2019–2024).

1. Profile

Name (English): Michael Emerson
Name (Japanese): マイケル・エマーソン
Reading: まいける・えまーそん
Born: September 7, 1954 (age 71)
Zodiac / Chinese zodiac: Virgo / Horse
Origin: Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States
Blood type: Private
Height: 173 cm
Agency: Private
Occupation: actor / stage actor / television actor / film actor

2. Background

Elementary school: Private
Junior high: Private
High school: Private
University: Drake University

Awards & achievements

2009 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
2001 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series

3. Relationships

Spouse: Private
Children: Private
Parents: Private
Siblings: Private

4. Personality

Motto

Private