Michael Anthony (actor)

Michael Anthony, (born Michael Gould, Jr.) also known by the stage name Mike Bless,[1] is an American actor, singer-songwriter, and former serviceman in the United States Air Force.[2] He is known for appearing in TV series such as Raising Dion,[2] Chicago Med,[2] Big 50 – The Delronda Hood Story, and Ready to Love.[3]

Michael Anthony
Born
Michael Gould, Jr.

NationalityAmerican
Occupations
  • Actor
  • Singer-songwriter

Early life

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Anthony was born in Akron, Ohio and was raised in Akron and Buffalo, New York.[4] He eventually joined the military,[5] achieving a rank of E-4/SRA in the U.S. Air Force.[2] He was in U.S. Air Force Security Forces during Operation Enduring Freedom.[2]

Career

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In 2008, Anthony entered Slip-n-Slide Records' "The Next Big Superstar" competition. He won the competition and was signed to a record deal under the stage name Mike Bless.[6][7] As Mike Bless, he released the singles "Do It Like This" in 2009[8] and "Gone" in 2011.[9] He also released a mixtape titled Mr. Make It Happen in 2009.

Anthony began acting after doing production work on a film soundtrack. After meeting him, the film's director suggested him to audition for a role in the movie, which he was then cast in.[2]

Anthony was one of the contestants in the first season of OWN's reality television series Ready to Love, which premiered in 2018.[10][11][12]

In 2020, Anthony guest-starred in the Netflix series Kings of Jo'burg, which was created and produced by Shona Ferguson.[13][14] Anthony was also cast in a lead role in the short film She Had to Ask, which premiered on Allblk in the same year.[15]

Anthony was cast as Ricky in the BET+ original film Big 50 – The Delronda Hood Story, which premiered in 2021.[16][17][18][19] Anthony was also cast in a recurring role as Gary Stafford in Raising Dion.[20][21]

Other television series that Anthony has appeared in include Chicago Med, Greenleaf, Dynasty, MacGyver, Black Lightning, and The Outsider.[2][22]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2018 Trunk Mr. Bleep Short
2019 Cold Feet at Christmas 1st Wedding Hall Guest TV movie
Dear Santa, I Need a Date Fred TV movie
2020 False Advertisement Mike
She Had to Ask Graham Short
2021 Lust: A Seven Deadly Sins Story Magic TV movie
Big 50 – The Delronda Hood Story Ricky
Dating Hell Josh
2022 MAMILs Gerald Short
Secret Headquarters Wisconsin [23]
End of the Road Jake
The Sound of Christmas Rio
Strange Love Chip
Grief - Short

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2010 Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight Robin Wood (voice) Episode: "No Future for You: Part 1"
2019 Greenleaf Prison Guard Episode: "Did I Lose You?"
Bluff City Law FCI Guard Episode: "Pilot"
Black Lightning Stone Killer Episode: "The Book of Occupation: Chapter Two: Maryam's Tasbih"
Tell Me a Story Malcolm Episode: "Number One Fan"
2020 The Outsider Inmate Episode: "Fish in a Barrel"
Dynasty Duane Episode: "Battle Lines"
MacGyver Suit #1 Episode: "Father + Son + Father + Matriarch"
American Soul Carl Episode: "Lovely Day" & "So Long, Sucker"
Chicago Med Officer Simmons Episode: "Those Things Hidden in Plain Sight"
Kings of Jo'burg Magic Episode: "We Are Brothers" & "The Sacrifice"
2021 Covenant Malcolm Fuller Episode: "The Promise - Part 1 & 2"
2021-22 The Game DeMarco Brown Recurring cast: season 1
2022 Raising Dion Gary Stafford Recurring cast: season 2
Power Book IV: Force Tank Episode: "King of the Goddamn Hill"
Saints & Sinners Ray Ray Recurring cast: season 6
2023 Tomorrow's Monsters Army Medic Episode: "Introducing: Bridgewater Season 2"
The Walking Dead: Dead City Luther Guest role: season 1

Discography

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Singles
Title Year Album
"Do It Like This" 2009 Non-album single
"Gone" 2011 Non-album single
Mixtapes
Title Released Label Format
Mr. Make It Happen (Vol. 1) 3 Dec 2009 Slip-n-Slide Records Streaming

References

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  1. ^ "Mike Bless applauds Connie Ferguson's strength at the gym". Justnje.com. February 2, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "[Interview] 8 Questions With "Big Fifty" Actor Michael Anthony". Btscelebs.com. October 7, 2021.
  3. ^ ""Ready To Love" star Mike Anthony is teaching men to keep it real while dating. ( And he's still going strong with Shea.)". TheGrio.com. January 13, 2019.
  4. ^ "Mikeblessmusic". OurStage.com.
  5. ^ "Ready To Love: season 1/ Episode 2 "First Dates" – Recap/ Review (with Spoilers)". Wherever-i-look.com. 28 October 2018.
  6. ^ "Mike Bless: Nicki Minaj Is Among "the Greatest Rappers of Our Time"". Nbcmiami.com. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  7. ^ "Slip-N-Slide CEO Not Surprised Rick Ross Tops Chart". Billboard. 29 April 2009.
  8. ^ McLeod, Raina. "MP3 of the Day: "Do It Like This" From Slip 'N' Slide's Newest Artist, Mike Bless". Miami New Times.
  9. ^ "Mike bless". Tidal.com. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
  10. ^ "Michael Anthony of 'Ready to Love' gets real about dating". Rollingout.com. January 11, 2019.
  11. ^ "Ready to Love Update: Mike – season 1". Oprah.com.
  12. ^ "Will Mike and Shea be able to break the reality show relationship curse?". Rollingout.com. December 30, 2018.
  13. ^ Malatse, Lebo (December 23, 2020). "'Kings of Jo'Burg,' Season 1 Episode 5: "We Are Brothers" — RECAP". Blackgirlnerds.com.
  14. ^ "Shona Ferguson shares more visuals from upcoming series, Kings Of Jo'burg". Justnje.com. January 28, 2020.
  15. ^ "She Had to Ask". Allblk.tv.
  16. ^ "(Watch) Big Fifty x Cast Share Priceless On Set Stories". Rightondigital.com. September 29, 2021.
  17. ^ Grant, Shawn (September 21, 2021). "Remy Ma Stars in Lead Role as "Big Fifty" in Trailer of BET+ Original Film". The Source.
  18. ^ Wanjiru, Ellen J. (2021-09-20). "TRAILER: 'REMY MA' Makes Acting Debut in a Leading Role as Detroit's Legendary 'Big Fifty' in BET+ Original Film". Blackfilm.com. Retrieved 2022-03-02.
  19. ^ Benoit, Kevin (October 1, 2021). "[FIRST LOOK] 'Big 50: The Delrhonda Hood Story' Starring Remy Ma". Parlemag.com.
  20. ^ "Raising Dion (2019)". Watch.plex.tv. October 4, 2019.
  21. ^ "'Raising Dion' Season 2: Netflix Release Date & What We Know So Far – What's on Netflix". Indianewsrepublic.in. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
  22. ^ "Michael Anthony: Movies, TV, and Bio". Amazon.com.
  23. ^ "Actor Michael Anthony is the right man for the role". Rollingout.com. 2021-11-18. Retrieved 2022-01-07.