Michael was born at 120 Thompson Street, in SoHo New York. He was raised by a small eclectic family that included artists, war veterans, vegetarians, meditation, globe trotting, experimentation, and a progressive humanistic ethos.Michael's grandmothers were both artists, while his father and grandfathers dabbled in the theater. His one grandfather, Frank Kallaji, was a prominent Audio Engineer on the East Coast.Michael holds a Bachelor's in Media and Cultural studies, and a Master's in International Counseling Psychology. He served as a Sustainability Commissioner for the city of Palm Springs, California, and had a short run for Mayor of that city in 2015.Apart from acting, he assists in broadening the mission of the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art, whose founders Charles and Fritz are close family friends. He also is a member of The Players private social club on Gramercy Park. In his spare time Michael creates for NoteToSelfie, his project that mixes art and philosophy.Michael spends time between New York, Los Angeles, Asheville, North Carolina, and Palm Springs, California where his family has had a home since the 1950's. Michael resides in Los Angeles, California.