Michael Rider attended the Juilliard School as a member of the legendary Group 4 with classmates Robin Williams and Christopher Reeve. After working for Joseph Papp in The New York Shakespeare Festival, he was active in the Chicago theater scene for several years, before going on tour with Shelly Winters in Neil Simon's The Gingerbread Lady. After the tour closed, he made the trip to California, where he has made his home since 1981. Mr. Rider is also a musician and band leader. His band has made several featured performances at the Idyllwild Jazz festival, among others. He is an avid motorcyclist, and the proud father of a beautiful daughter, Arden.