Michael Muhney
Michael Muhney (born June 12, 1975)[1] is an American actor. His best known roles include Sheriff Don Lamb on the UPN/The CW television series Veronica Mars between 2004 and 2007 and Adam Newman on the CBS daytime soap opera The Young and the Restless from 2009 to 2014.
Michael Muhney | |
---|---|
Born | |
Education | DePaul University (BFA) |
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 1998–present |
Spouse(s) | Jaime Muhney ( m. 2000) |
Children | 3 |
Website | michaelmuhney |
Early life
Muhney was born in Chicago and raised in Euless, Texas from the age of eight. When he was 16 years old, he won the state championship for his One-Act play performance while attending Trinity High School. He moved back to Chicago where he earned a bachelor's degree from The Theatre School at DePaul University in 1997. He is a member of Mensa.[2][3] He also speaks two other languages, German and American Sign Language (ASL).
Career
The Young and the Restless
In May 2009, after Chris Engen left the role of Adam Newman, Muhney was hired as a recast. He made his debut on the episode dated June 25, 2009.[4][5][6][7] In 2011, Muhney signed a contract that would keep him in the role for an unspecified period.[8] In April 2013, Muhney announced that he had signed a new contract that would expire in June 2015.[9] In December, however, Muhney announced that he had been abruptly let go from the soap opera, with his last airdate on January 30, 2014.[10][11][12][13]
After the sudden announcement that Muhney had been fired from the role in December 2013, viewers and critics alike expressed their disappointment in the decision. Michael Ausiello of TVLine wrote that the news was the "worst Christmas present ever",[11] as well as Jamey Giddens of Zap2it writing: "Outspoken and insanely-gifted, Michael Muhney has definitely shaken things up in daytime since joining The Young and the Restless. Whether he was demanding changes in the Daytime Emmy nomination process, or getting into fights with his TV pappy on Twitter, one thing was for certain — Muhney always brought it on screen as bad seed Adam Newman. Well, not anymore."[12] Immediately after the news of his firing, Muhney conducted an interview with the Huffington Post and stated: "Part of me feels this is because I've always been outspoken, and sometimes I've been too outspoken. Sometimes I've walked around with a big backpack full of hubris. That is entirely on me. CBS, Sony, and Jill Phelps are not to blame for that." Muhney also said that the writers were planning to "take a break from Adam for 3 to 6 months" and then recast the role.[14]
In January 2014, celebrity tabloid TMZ reported that Muhney was allegedly let go from the soap was because Muhney had sexually harassed co-star Hunter King (who portrays Summer Newman).[15][16] The rumor generated significant negative publicity for the soap opera; Margaret Eby of the New York Daily News wrote, "The set of The Young and the Restless may have turned into a real life soap opera thanks to star Michael Muhney..."[17] Fox News reported that several viewers were upset by Muhney's firing and the sexual harassment allegations, writing: "Many Y&R fans were none too pleased to find out Muhney was leaving, and several blasted the allegations."[18] TMZ later reported that angered viewers had paid US$785 to have an airplane fly over CBS Studios in Los Angeles with a banner to have Muhney rehired,[19] and the plane flew three days later.[20] In August 2014, Muhney wrote on Twitter that the rumours were false and baseless.[21]
Filmography
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1998 | Real Life | Jason | Episode: "Unaired Pilot" |
1998 | A Will of Their Own | William Steward | Episode: "1.1" |
1999 | Turks | Paul Turk | 13 episodes |
2000 | Love 101 | Andrew | |
2000 | Virtual Nightmare | Dale Hunter | TV movie |
2000–01 | The Huntress | Det. Mark Farrell | 8 episodes |
2001 | Nicolas | ||
2002 | ER | Colin Prentice | Episode: "Chaos Theory" |
2002 | Boomtown | Chris Griggs | Episode: "Possession" |
2003 | JAG | Major Jack McBurney | Episode: "Meltdown" |
2003 | Charmed | Seth | Episode: "Love's a Witch" |
2003 | Without a Trace | Billy Melina | Episode: "Trip Box" |
2004–07 | Veronica Mars | Sheriff Don Lamb | 40 episodes |
2006 | Lovers, Liars & Lunatics | Louis | |
2006 | Numb3rs | Lt. Joseph Karnes | Episode: "All's Fair" |
2007 | One Night | Jack | |
2008 | CSI: Miami | Rob Mason / Tim Gilbert | Episode: "Raising Caine" |
2008 | Family Practice | Kent Kinglare | TV movie |
2008 | Columbus Day | Det. Daniels | |
2008 | No Man's Land: The Rise of Reeker | Dep. Harris McAllister | |
2009 | Act Your Age | Lake Emerson | |
2009–14 | The Young and the Restless | Adam Newman | Role held: June 25, 2009 – January 30, 2014 |
2010 | The Portal | Daniel Savanah | |
2010 | Disconnect | Dylan | |
2017 | The Good Doctor | Mr. Gallico | Episode: “Point Three Percent” |
Awards and nominations
Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Daytime Emmy Award | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series | The Young and the Restless | Nominated | ||
Soap Awards France | Actor of the Year | The Young and the Restless | Nominated | ||
Soap Awards France | Couple of the Year — "Chelsea and Adam" (shared with Melissa Claire Egan) |
The Young and the Restless | Nominated |
References
- "Today in history". ABC News. Associated Press. June 12, 2014.
- "Michael Muhney (Sheriff Don Lamb)". MI.net. March 27, 2005. Retrieved March 2, 2011.
- "Interview with Michael Muhney". CBS.com. October 29, 2009. Archived from the original on June 28, 2011. Retrieved March 2, 2011.
- Gonzalez, Maria (May 21, 2009). "The Young and the Restless: Chris Engen Storms Off Set, Replaced by Michael Muhney". BuddyTV. Retrieved December 2, 2012.
- Snyder, Jennifer (May 28, 2009). "Chris Engen Leaves Y&R". TV Source Magazine. Retrieved December 2, 2012.
- Garrett, Tommy (June 6, 2009). "Michael Muhney Takes Over Controversial Role". Canyon News. Archived from the original on March 2, 2012. Retrieved December 2, 2012.
- "Comings and Goings: Chris Engen (Adam Wilson)". Soap Opera Digest. 34 (26). June 30, 2009. p. 17.
- Riel, Karen (June 9, 2011). "Michael Muhney Inks Multi-Year Renewal With 'Y&R'". TV Source Magazine. TVSourcemagazine.com. Retrieved July 18, 2012.
- Kerr, Luke (April 29, 2013). "Michael Muhney Signs New Contract at The Young and the Restless". Zap2it. Tribune Media Services. Archived from the original on May 1, 2013. Retrieved April 30, 2013.
- "Michael Muhney Axed From Y&R!". Soap Opera Digest (American Media, Inc). December 17, 2013. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
- Ausiello, Michael (December 17, 2013). "Soaps Shocker: Y&R Fires Michael Muhney". TVLine. TVLine Media, LLC. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
- Giddens, Jamey (December 17, 2013). "BREAKING NEWS: Michael Muhney OUT at The Young and the Restless!". Zap2it. Tribune Media Services. Archived from the original on December 19, 2013. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
- Kondolojy, Amanda (December 17, 2013). "Michael Muhney Let Go From 'The Young and the Restless'". TVBytheNumbers. Zap2it. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
- Branco, Nelson (December 18, 2013). "Michael Muhney, Adam Newman On 'Young And The Restless,' Abruptly Fired, And Here's Why (EXCLUSIVE)". Huffington Post. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
- Giddens, Jamey (January 4, 2014). "TMZ Reports Michael Muhney Was Fired From Y&R For Allegedly Groping Hunter King". Zap2it. Tribune Media Services. Archived from the original on February 16, 2014. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
- Fairman, Michael (January 4, 2014). "TMZ Reports Michael Muhney Fired From Y&R For Allegedly Groping Co-Star's Breasts On Two Occasions!". On-Air On-Soaps. Archived from the original on February 12, 2014. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
- Eby, Margaret (January 4, 2014). "'Young and the Restless' star Michael Muhney fired for allegedly groping co-star Hunter King: report". New York Daily News. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
- "Reports: Michael Muhney fired from 'Y&R' for groping much younger co-star". Fox News. January 7, 2014. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
- "Michael Muhney – Angry Young & Restless Fans Plan AERIAL ATTACK on CBS". TMZ. January 6, 2014. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
- "Michael Muhney Firing – Fans Protest By Getting Super High". TMZ. January 9, 2014. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
- "Michael Muhney Breaks Silence Y&R Firing Allegations Salacious Rumor'". Soap Opera Network. August 13, 2014. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
- "Daytime Emmy Award – 2013 nominations". May 1, 2013. Archived from the original on June 28, 2013. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
- "Soap Awards France 2017 : Hélène Rollès, Les Mystères de l'amour, Ambroise Michel, Terre de passions, Eric Braeden... le palmarès complet". France: toutelatele.com and Médiamétrie. June 1, 2017. Retrieved August 17, 2020.