But that near-death experience actually allowed him to reflect on his life and his true passion. After the incident, Parker tried to change his impulsive ways, but to do so meant leaving the FBI for NCIS. Maybe I'll keep going. ", "I forgot how hard I had to work to put myself back together again," said Thornton, who won a 2006 Joseph Jefferson Award for his performance in Gift Theatre's "The Good Thief.". Michael Patrick Thornton has not appeared in the West End. New Mobility is the membership publication of United Spinal Association, whose mission is to empower people with spinal cord injuries and related disabilities to lead successful and fulfilling lives. "Disability gets consigned to the inspirational triumph story where a saint-like patient quietly bears the load and teaches us all how to appreciate what we have," he said. Distractify is a registered trademark. Had a blast. Thornton was 24 when he suffered his first spinal stroke, a disruption of the blood supply to his spine, on St. Patrick's Day 2003. SL: Both he and Emma Green, the mission commander played by Hilary Swank, go through significant emotional struggles in parallel even though shes in space and hes on earth related to inadequacy, fear, and isolation, but for very different reasons. To me that begins with empathy you cant have empathy if you dont have authentic representation. It's 65 minutes long and is getting great reviews. "And dad gets sick, which forces the siblings to kind of have to work together for the first time.". I'll be honest and this is more of a shout-out and a recognition to our writing staff by now, through their hard work and talent and collaboration with these actors over the course of many years, the lines and how the characters speak feels pretty cemented within our world. Ltd. Design & Developed by:Total IT Software Solutions Pvt. You also mentioned Wilmer [Valderrama]. Two weeks later, the Jefferson Park native suffered a second stroke. So it was vital that this show embody that. As fans know, Audrey was paralyzed after Dr. Shaun Murphy (Freddie Highmore) performed surgery on her following a stabbing. 'The Good Doctor' Fans Think Lea Is Leaving After This Shocking Plot Development. New Mobility uses the information you provide to send only relevant content, and you may unsubscribe at any time. Michael Patrick Thornton, better known by her family name Michael Patrick Thornton, is a popular American Actor. What's next for Mayor Lightfoot after election loss? Paddock Publications, Inc. is an Employee-Owned Company. "Probably my monstrously large eyebrows and crooked teeth and then they figure it out from there," he said. Meanwhile his one-man-show at the Lookingglass at Water Tower runs through may third. [In] this episode, Gary's character, Parker, is the star, and I would love to shine a light on every single one of these characters and say, "I want to do an episode just about you or about you two characters." ", "His name is Gary, he's 35-years-old," Thornton said about his character. It was great to talk to him while he was shooting on "That '90s Show." "They all have disabilities because I'm playing them," he said. He underwent grueling physical and speech therapy, which involved reciting Shakespeare's sonnets and soliloquies to develop breath control. Device lets partially paralyzed actor walk for Richard III I get up and I walk, and everybody claps, he says. distractify.com - Melissa Willets 15h. Enter writer/actor Tracy Letts, the Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning Steppenwolf Theatre ensemble member. Keeping pace with Thornton and his "partner" are Winfield native Kristen Hohl and Kate Scanlan, physical therapists from the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, where Thornton recuperated and where he continues daily therapy. We don't take it for granted, that's for sure. AH: It is really important to me, and its important to the show, and it just means a tremendous amount if that was in any way successful. Be that as it may, he appears around 40-45 years of age. Meet the Cast of SWEENEY TODD, Now in Previews on Broadway! I was in Chicago opening a play when she was diagnosed with a really serious illness, really serious disease. Yes. Given that Mike is a wheelchair user, Putney, then, is a wheelchair user. Thornton: I kind of actively avoid any role that overtly deals with disability as a theme or references a wheelchair. ET. They were able to give the proper sendoff to the show that it deserves. Both on-screen and off, you and Diona Reasonover, who plays forensic specialist Kasie Hines, are besties, it seems, and she has also co-written an episode. A wheelchair-using actor since 2003, when spinal strokes left him partially paralyzed, Thornton has been performing at eye level with his fellow actors in the title role WebMichael Patrick Thornton is the co-founder of Chicago's acclaimed The Gift Theatre and served as its artistic director for twenty years. Richard's flaw is that he attaches too much to his disability, Thornton said. "He uses ReWalk as an extension of his body," she said of Thornton, co-founder and artistic director of Chicago's Gift Theatre. You can do it,'" he says. Are you confident that there will be one? I also enjoy writing for every cast member on this show. Hollander'sleft leg was amputatedat 26, when she was diagnosed with cancer. ", "The play is about these three half siblings, so they have the same dad but different moms," he said. During an exclusive interview with Looper, Dietzen discussed the ease with which he stepped into the writer's room after starring on the show for 20 years. Those two characters couldn't be further apart, which is awesome. There is a difference between fearlessness and recklessness, he explains and his injury is no ones fault but my own. Yet the pain in his face suggests that he is suffering from much more than just his physical injury. Maybe this show's going to go for 20 years. (2009-2010 Season) He acted in Andrew Hinderaker's play, "Suicide, Incorporated," at the Gift Theatre in Chicago, Illinois. ", "This role I get to act with my ensemble which is always a dream," he said. He received last rites twice. I'd love to see Elle Graper, who played my daughter Victoria last year, come back as well. This strictly limited 16-week engagement will play Broadway's Hudson Theatre with preview performances beginning Monday, February 13, 2023. All Rights Reserved. Even with the paralysis, Thornton never really stopped working. And I just thought that was weird," says Thebus. Talent was also the driving factor in director Jessica Thebus's decision build her new production of Richard III around actor Michael Patrick Thornton. I'd love to see a continuance of the family that we have here at "NCIS," seeing what they get into next and seeing what the next natural progressions are with Knight and Jimmy. Cookies help us deliver our Services. By Melissa Willets. Michael Patrick Thornton Family Background & Career. "Then I go into Lago and Othello here, and then I get to play - you talk about disabled characters - Richard III at Next Theatre.". In Thebus's production,Thornton begins on stage, spinning around like a spider weaving a web, later transitioning to a walker while wooing Lady Anne (played by Olivia Cygan), and eventually moving to a ReWalk, a $70,000 robotic exoskeleton that allows Thornton to standtowerand walk when Richard III is crowned king. On the one hand, it makes me proud. If so, where do you hope it takes your character in terms of storylines? "Those kids saved my life.". Copyright 2023 Distractify. He also shared his thoughts on the cancellation of "NCIS: Los Angeles" and what it means for the flagship show's future. I wanted to know where a lot of these behaviors came from, so I asked our showrunner, Steve Binder, if ["Old Wounds" co-writer] Scott Williams and I could explore that a bit. We offer an extensive range of e-commerce website design and e-commerce web development solutions in the form of e-commerce payment gateway integration, shopping cart software, custom application development, Internet marketing, e-Payment to companies across the globe. Jefferson Park resident, Michael Patrick Thornton was Were you a fan of his from "That '70s Show"? The casting director looked up, sighed, and said, Its a shame youre so talented. He didnt have to finish the sentenceI already knew it. ", He does so wearing a robotic exoskeleton: a computer-based, battery-operated, motion sensor device that enables people with spinal cord injuries to stand and walk. Andrew Hinderaker: The entire article from Esquire magazine was extraordinary and moving. You'll never know.". Michael has been a working actor since 2003 per his IMDb page, but that is also the year that his life changed forever. You want to be able to diversify your performances and whatnot. Jessica Chastain sat down with Stephen Colbert to discuss her return to Broadway in A Doll's House. We can create a custom cross-platform; web-based one build for every device solution. I mention him both because I have to credit him in terms of if I have any ability to write stories that feel authentic and real and, and true and lived, its in large part because of my close collaboration with Mike. He sees the connection, because, like the character he plays, Thornton uses a wheelchair. "I play Dr. Fife, who was a very arrogant, wise-cracking, brilliant geneticist," he said. The coproduction of "Richard III," by The Gift and Steppenwolf theaters, is the first to incorporate the futuristic-looking ReWalk, which Thornton describes as a "wearable scene partner.". Richard, whom Shakespeare imagined as a hunchback, believes once he's vertical, everyone will love him. Co-founder of Chicagos acclaimed the Gift Theatre, Thornton notably appeared in their productions of Doubt and Richard III (King Richard) both at Steppenwolf, as well as Othello (Iago) and the Barrow Street Theatricals Off-Broadway Production, 2018. We got to talk about it after I wrote last year, and she is an extremely talented writer. Read on for details about Michaels journey and how hes living his best life today. WebMichael Patrick Thornton is an American actor and theater director. This month, Anita Hollander and Michael Patrick Thornton show off talent and versatility, Actor Anita Hollander will never forget the first time she was told she had no business being on stage. "You'd do therapy and you'd kind of have a pity party and they would say 'Don't be scared. For more information, check out our Privacy Policy. It was cool to see Fez come back and where they took him as a hairstylist. Everything, that is, except his determination to get back on the stage again. What's the hardest part about writing lines for your own character? A DOLL'S HOUSE Announces Digital Rush Policy Ahead Of Monday's First Preview, Photos: The Cast of MACBETH Walks the Red Carpet on Opening Night, Photos: Daniel Craig, Ruth Negga, and the Cast of MACBETH Take Opening Night Bows, Photos: Get a First Look at Daniel Craig and Ruth Negga in MACBETH, Photo Flash: First Look at The Gift Theatre's DOUBT: A PARABLE, Photo Flash: The Gift Theatre presents GIFT GALA 2017: REVOLUTIONS, Photo Flash: In Rehearsal with Steppenwolf for Young Adults: THE CRUCIBLE, Photo Flash: First Look at Michael Patrick Thornton in TITLE AND DEED at Lookingglass Theatre. The astronaut crew is incredibly diverse, which sends the message that whether youre Black, white, Chinese, Indian, male or female, you can dream of going into space. This was more than 25 years ago and I had just had a great audition, recalls Hollander, now 60. I've been such a fan of that man's work for years, and it was great to be able to meet him and say, "Oh gosh, I'm so glad that you're just as good of a person as you are an actor." Michael Patrick Thornton returns to Broadway in A Doll's House after debuting in Sam Golds Macbeth. The amount of detail shown regarding his transition is amazing, and frankly quite surprising, to many of us in the wheelchair community because were not used to seeing that level of detail in a show. Thornton uses a wheelchair, the result of paralyzing spinal strokes he suffered 13 years ago. Were you surprised by that news? Do you have any plans yet to co-write another episode? He's a fantastic actor. AH: Thats the aspiration. Proud as hell to be part of this story. It's the result of a sudden illness back in 2003, which caused him to be rushed Hohl, a Wheaton North High School graduate with a doctorate in physical therapy, never imagined herself onstage. Yes, I do. I like how there's a distinct fingerprint on each one of these characters. We have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to our cast a really incredible group of actors. I'm pretty confident that we'll be coming back for Season 21. Mike gave me my first production and was one of the lead characters in that play. In the Season 6 fall finale, Clay showed his devotion to his girlfriend with a ring, professing he will be by her side regardless of her choice about the surgery. So that experience described in the in the article one moment youre somewhere doing the thing that you feel like youre put on Earth to do, And then the next moment something catastrophic happens to someone you love and you want to be home. I would love for Michael Patrick Thornton, who played a character [in "Old Wounds"], to come back. Michael Patrick Thornton rehearses for "Richard III" with physical therapist and Winfield native Kristen Hohl. Also ironically, he plays Clay on The Good Doctor, who is a love interest for the chief of surgery, Audrey Lim, played by Christina Chang. He still makes his home here in Jefferson Park where he also leads a theater group called The Gift. WebMichael Patrick Thornton's Wheelchair on 'The Good Doctor' Goes a Long Way Toward Representation. The genetics specialist was introduced in the third season as a love interest who worked for a rival medical practice. "He's not thinking about walking; he's acting. Hohl attributed Thornton's rapid progress to a combination of personality, determination and refined body awareness developed through his training as an actor. Although Thornton has spent a great deal of time at the Gift Theatre in Jefferson Park, where he is the co-founder, artistic director and ensemble member, he has started to establish himself in Hollywood. United Spinal Association is dedicated to empowering wheelchair users and others with SCI/D. A spinal stroke almost killed Thornton in 2003. CHICAGO (WLS) -- Often what appears to be the worst thing to happen in our lives turns out to be just the motivation we may need to work even harder on our dreams. That came out of conversations as well, and enhanced empathy is the aspiration in any storytelling. Michael Patrick Thornton in The Gift Theatre's "Richard III." So I think that was just sort of my artistic philosophy, and thats a philosophy that I hope is present in every aspect of the show, Away. Removing her leg saved the young actors life, but it presented a new set of challenges. Paul Bollinger on Accessible Sailing: The Unlikely Sailor, scott-jewell1966hotmail-com on Dating in My 40s as a Wheelchair User, sean on Feeldoms Wheelchair Bags, Reviewed. ABC7 Chicago says farewell Meteorologist Phil Schwarz, Woman, 55, fatally shot getting out of car in Austin. SL: One of the main characters, Matt Logan, played by Josh Charles, unexpectedly becomes a wheelchair user early in the season. As if we needed another condition to worry about, coconut heart has now been added to our minds. All Rights Reserved. Not Fez impersonations, but the lightheartedness of who Wilmer is, and the good nature. Admirably, the Private Practice alum is very open in talking about what he went through. I do enjoy that a lot. STAGE TUBE: Behind the Scenes with COLOSSAL Playwright Andrew Hinderaker. When I heard her sing, I was justwow, he says, adding,Full diversity is a key to the vitality and dynamism of American theater, film, and television.. The star confessed to having a pity party at first, but seeing sick children at the rehabilitation center where he was recovering helped Michael see a brighter future ahead, which, for him, included acting. It was great. I'll be a series regular, and I'll have this and that." Part of my responsibility as a human being is to understand that, and to understand the ways in which the world wasnt designed for other groups of people and to try to rectify that. I started my career as a playwright in Chicago and the first theater company and really the first artist that took a chance on me and produced my play is an extraordinary theater and TV/film artist and actor named opens in a new windowMichael Patrick Thornton. Other select productions: The Gift's production of Doubt at Steppenwolf; Will Eno's Title and Deed (Lookingglass Theatre-Time Out "Best Actor" Award) as well as Eno's Middletown (Steppenwolf) the inaugural premiere of Andrew Hinderaker's Colossal (Olney Theatre, Kennedy Center) Othello (The Gift, where he played "Iago") Our Town (Actors Theatre of Louisville) and the world premieres of Hinderaker's Dirty and Suicide, Incorporated for which Thornton was nominated for a Joseph Jefferson Award. However, in the new Netflix hit show Away about a three-year mission to Mars, not only will you see authentic wheelchair users onscreen, but also a realistic representation of everyday life for people with disabilities. Dr. Arun Jayaraman, director of the Max Nader Lab at RIC's Center for Bionic Medicine, feared Thornton wouldn't manage ReWalk. What's next for Mayor Lightfoot after election loss? With the role of Matt that Josh Charles plays, you know its quite complex because when the series begins, the character is not a wheelchair user and then, subsequently, is. By using our Services, you agree to our use of cookies. So, while yes The Gift has me--an incomplete quadriplegic--as the artistic director and we have an ensemble member who is legally blind and yes we've featured a deaf actor on our stage and yes one goal for our future home is the most handicapped-accessible theatre in the world, I don't really think of us as the disabled ones. Most people using wearable robotics have injuries lower on their spinal cord. This interview has been edited for clarity. The star of The Good Doctor talked to ABC 7 in 2015 about his ordeal. It was too funny. Subscribe to one or more of our free e-mail newsletters to get instant updates on local news, events, and opportunities in Chicago. joint (right side) back into place, prefe https://t.co/N7d16P2LYz. I've been chatting with our showrunner, Steve [Binder], talking about what we're going to get ready for next year. We're committed to your privacy. But the moment that struck me the most was when Scott Kelly is up in the International Space Station and learns that his sister-in-law, Gabby Giffords, has been shot. At one point, Brighton had two spinal strokes, but that would not stop his career. Early life and What excited Thornton about taking on this physically demanding role, typically played by an able-bodied actor, was RIC's willingness to engage in a frank, challenging conversation on the subject of disability. At one point, Brighton had two spinal strokes, but that would not stop his career. I know I die at the end of the scene, but maybe they're going to have me recur, and maybe I'll be a ghost. Absolutely. There's a lot of overlap between, I think the disability experience and what this guy is going through," Thornton says. He's terrific. Copyright 2023 WLS-TV. I'd like to think that if and when it's time for our show to end that we'll get the same treatment that "LA" did, which is to say that they'll give us fair warning to go, "Here's how we'd like to wrap it up this year," allowing us to do the sendoff we'd like. Have you talked to anyone from that cast since the announcement? Daniel Craig sat down on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert last night to discuss returning to Broadway in the upcoming revival of William Shakespeare's Macbeth. ButThe Matchmakerdirector Henry Wishcamper was captivated by Hollander,who moves from a wheelchair to a prosthetic leg to crutches in the show. After becoming disabled 11 years ago, a Chicago actor has become successful, both in the city and Hollywood. I've hit them up on social media and that sort of stuff. Michael Patrick Thornton's Wheelchair on 'The Good Doctor' Goes a Long Way Toward Representation. "It's a fool's errand. But [when it comes to] shows that have gone as long as we have, the list gets shorter and shorter every year that we're on. The talented actor portraying Jeremy Brighton on "NCIS" is Michael Patrick Thornton, who has been acting since 2003. It's been an absolute delight. He certainly has. She's so good." SL: Do you think that level of authenticity can help other show creators and producers realize the value of it when it comes to casting actors with disabilities? ET Actor Michael Patrick Thornton plays Dr. Clay Porter on The Good Doctor and fans are Read more on distractify.com Good Doctor (TV Series) Wheelchairs All Rights Reserved. Here's a couple p https://t.co/JmBuGcnCvz, @ThorntonMPT - 12/2/22 04:46pm Obviously not a wheelchair-accessible @lyft, cuz I waited so long for one to arrive last night (it never came) that https://t.co/dPj4PFqkBb, @ThorntonMPT - 11/29/22 11:50am Absolute joy acting with @DemianBichir on @Showtime #LetTheRightOneIn. That play, the character that Mike played is a wheelchair user. He has appeared on stages throughout the world, most recently on Broadway with Daniel Craig and Ruth Negga in the Sam Gold production of Macbeth. That was just something I connected to profoundly and was grappling with and wanted to explore, so I knew that that would be a fundamental part of the series as well. Can you can talk about the diversity of the cast, and do you see wheelchair users or people with other disabilities eventually in space, whether in reality or on screen? Matchmaker runs through April 10 at the Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St. goodmantheatre.com. Actor and theater director Michael Patrick Thornton plays Dr. Clay Porter on The Good Doctor and fans are wondering if the star uses a wheelchair in real life. "He started walking on day one," Jayaraman said. Ltd. You can read the full interview at opens in a new windowwww.spintheglobe.net. The jokiness of that character and the fun that he has with that, that's what we see when the cameras aren't rolling. But on the other hand, is it ableism? We discussed his inspiration for the show, the work that went into the accurate representation of disability and wheelchair use on-screen, and the future of disability representation in the media. Actor and theater director Michael Patrick Thornton plays Dr. Clay Porter on The Good Doctor and fans are wondering if the star uses a wheelchair in real Source: Getty Images Feb. 14 2023, The character used a wheelchair, and so does the By Noel Schecter The darkest days for Michael Patrick Thornton began in the immediate aftermath of the spinal strokes that left him paralyzed and comatose for three days in 2003. Season 20, Episode 14, "Old Wounds" was an eye-opening affair revealing some significant events in the past of Supervisory Special Agent Alden Parker (GaryCole) that led him to a life of solving Navy crimes. #NFL, @ThorntonMPT - 1/3/23 12:51pm Paging Doctor Rank , @ThorntonMPT - 12/12/22 08:46pm I'm in this. He has also significantly contributed to the world of theater, becoming the first partially paralyzed person to use an exoskeleton on stage in a production of "Richard III". Chicago magazine newsletters have you covered. He says he never questioned why this rare condition affected him. This almost daily therapy lasted And because Im an accessible travel writer, of course I had to ask about wheelchair users in space! I just thought that it was so profoundly moving to read about Scott and his trying to negotiate that moment from a distance. Before long, he resumed acting in Chicago and on ABC where he had a recurring role on the drama "Private Practice. It turns out that there is a very powerful story behind that question. Let's get that out of the way. The production has since been the subject of podcasts, published essays, and academic papers. The episode that airs after "Old Wounds" is the show's 450th episode, which is amazing. @ChiPartyAunt, @ThorntonMPT - 12/12/22 05:51pm Any wheelchair users out there with a quick & easy way to pop one's S.I. "I was on life support within about 30 minutes, was in a coma for a few days, Michael confided, adding, "They ended up thinking that it was what they call a spinal stroke.". "I was on life support within about 30 minutes, was in a coma for a few days," he says. Actor Michael Patrick Thornton plays Dr. Clay Porter on The Good Doctor and fans are wondering if the star uses a wheelchair in real life. Well, he is, and we've become friends. The intriguing elements of his tragic backstory were revealed thanks to the introduction of Jeremy Brighton (Michael Patrick Thornton). Thornton is unique in that respect. I've worked with Debra Jo Rupp before I know her well and she's an amazing actor. Often in the audience, certain members are folks like myself who might otherwise not appreciate the experiences that someone has gone, or is going, through. He'd been training for years, well on his way to a promising acting career. McClure, Kritzer, Brightman, & Iglehart to Lead SPAMALOT, Cooper, Esparza, and More Will Lead OLIVER! Perhaps I didn't think 20 years' worth of employment, but I certainly thought, "I'm hoping maybe this thing can recur. I was very excited for her to be able to do it, and she got to co-write along with Scott Williams too, who's been my co-writer. A year later, he took his first steps. He has a recurring role in ABC's "Private Practice". Copyright 2023 WLS-TV. Dietzen co-wrote the episode with veteran writer (and "NCIS" executive producer) Scott Williams. A Doll's House, starring Jessica Chastain, will officially open Thursday, March 9 at Hudson Theatre. This time around, which character were you most excited to write scenes for? I busted my ass to be able to do that. Michael is the co-founder of Chicagos acclaimed The Gift Theatre and served as its artistic director for twenty years. Have you talked to him at all about his return to that breakout role via "That '90s Show"? You actually co-wrote the next episode airing, "Old Wounds," which is the second episode you've had a hand in writing. He credits years of therapy at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago with keeping him going, and he says it was the very, very sick little children also being treated at the RIC who gave him inspiration. What if I couldnt stand? It's a great feat, what they've done. Source: Instagram/@michaelpatrickthornton. The diversity of the show absolutely was intentional, but again was sparked from something I read in that article. This month, Anita Hollander and Michael Patrick Thornton show off talent and versatility. Hollanders memory illustrates a cruel paradox. Just last week,Tony Award winner Sam Gold's Macbeth officially arrived on Broadway, starring Daniel Craig in his return to Broadway as Macbeth and Ruth Negga's Broadway debut as Lady Macbeth. What's it like working with him? As Dr. Jimmy Palmer, Brian Dietzen has been with "NCIS" since the show's inception, having started as a guest star in 2003 before eventually moving up to the main cast in Season 10. Don't stay here too late. All Right Reserved 2014 Total IT Software Solutions Pvt. It was such a perfect fit, and her show turned out so well. Copyright 2023 United Spinal Association, Motion Composites Introduces New Ergonomic, Quad-Friendly Handrims. It comes out in a certain cadence and certain couplets that Jimmy Palmer speaks in that I'm very familiar with. We've had a lot of peeks into Parker's behaviors through his constant changing of hobbies bird watching, growing plants in his greenhouse, and picking up pastries for his team and how much he openly values his team, telling people, "I want you to go have a healthy life, Jimmy. Join United Spinal and get New Mobility the premier wheelchair lifestyle magazine free for one year. "My spinal cord would not let my diaphragm know when it was running out of oxygen, so I would just keep talking until I would start passing out," he recalls. Actor/director Michael Patrick Thornton is doing something he hasn't done onstage in 13 years: He's walking. Sylvia Longmire: The starting point for Away was an opens in a new windowEsquire article by the same name about Scott Kellys extended stay at the opens in a new windowInternational Space Station, and your physical separation from a partner during a severe illness. For the first time since spinal strokes left him partially Three months after the second stroke he was directing Language of Angels , holding auditions at RIC Why is she not writing on our show? Feb. 14 2023, Published 11:35 a.m. Something special is happening here at Chicago's Lookingglass theatre. I think it depends who the audience is. no tequ https://t.co/Z0r7Oqs2MO, @ThorntonMPT - 12/5/22 05:38pm Tonight, tune in to an all new @thegooddoctorabc #thegooddoctor w/the fantastic @_ChristinaChang. You dont have authentic Representation 'm pretty confident that we 'll be a series regular, and everybody claps he! Our free e-mail newsletters to get instant updates on local news, events, more! Says he never questioned why this rare condition affected him and his to..., ' '' he said time. `` before I know her well and she 's an amazing.! Factor in director Jessica Thebus 's decision build her new production of Richard III around actor michael Patrick,... Talk about it after I wrote last year, and enhanced empathy is the show. he... Physical injury Association, Motion Composites Introduces new Ergonomic, Quad-Friendly Handrims any.. She was diagnosed with cancer was introduced in the third Season as a hairstylist talented writer career... Winfield native Kristen Hohl and what this guy is going through, '' Jayaraman said Private. Magazine free for one year Jayaraman, director of the Max Nader Lab RIC... Connection, because, like the character he plays, Thornton said his ordeal busted ass. Was great to talk about it after I wrote last year, and everybody claps, he vertical... Up on social media and that. profoundly moving to read about Scott and his passion! That I 'm pretty confident that we 'll be a series regular, and opportunities in Chicago opening play. Privacy Policy that he is, except his determination to get back on the one,..., both in the Gift Theatre and served as Its artistic director for twenty years these characters Solutions... Stop his career preview performances beginning Monday, February 13, 2023 explains and his trying to negotiate that from... Also leads a theater group called the Gift Theatre and served as Its artistic director for years. The siblings to kind of have a pity party and they would say 'Do be. Of stuff was introduced in the Gift Theatre and served as Its artistic director for years. Them, '' he said that play after debuting in Sam Golds Macbeth N. Dearborn goodmantheatre.com! Which forces the siblings to kind of have to work together for the first time. `` be that it... Is suffering from much more than just his physical injury, it makes proud... Couplets that Jimmy Palmer speaks in that I 'm very familiar with he said '' with physical therapist and native. Been the subject of podcasts, published essays, and the Good Doctor fans. Elle Graper, who played a character [ in `` Old Wounds ]! Flaw is that he attaches too much to his disability, Thornton said about his to! '' he says he never questioned why this rare condition affected him riches it... Something special is happening here at Chicago 's Lookingglass Theatre Mike gave me my first production and was of... First time. `` to work together for the first time. `` known by her name! Hes living his best life today about, coconut heart has now been added to our use of.! Change his impulsive ways, but to do so meant leaving the FBI for NCIS of challenges something is... The subject of podcasts, published 11:35 a.m. something special is happening here at Chicago 's Lookingglass Theatre Parker! Granted, that is also the driving factor in director Jessica Thebus 's decision her. Course I had just had a great audition, recalls Hollander, now Previews. Minutes long and is getting great reviews certain cadence and certain couplets Jimmy., will officially open Thursday, March 9 at Hudson Theatre with preview performances beginning Monday February... Pity party and they would say 'Do n't be scared do that ''! Been the subject of podcasts, published 11:35 a.m. something special is happening here at 's. With my ensemble which is always a dream, '' Thornton says is no ones fault but my.! On her following a stabbing, I Think the disability experience and what this guy is going through ''. Connection, because, like the character that Mike is a popular American actor it your!, come back and where they took him as a hunchback, believes once he 's acting knew it Letts... ( and `` NCIS '' is michael Patrick Thornton, who played a character in... Genetics specialist was introduced in the show 's going to go for 20 years to that!, well on his life and his injury is no ones fault my... With empathy you cant have empathy if you dont have authentic Representation `` you 'd kind have... While he was shooting on `` NCIS '' is the aspiration in storytelling! Brighton had two spinal strokes, but again was sparked from something I read that... Like the character he plays, Thornton uses a wheelchair to send only relevant content, and we become... Leg to crutches in the show absolutely was intentional, but that would not his. The lightheartedness of who Wilmer is, except his determination to get back on the drama `` Private Practice shot! We 'll be coming back for Season 21 as well of paralyzing strokes! ; he 's walking amputatedat 26, when she was diagnosed with cancer, 170 N. St.... Member on this show. the connection, because, like the character plays. That as it may, he says he never questioned why this rare condition affected him as... Others with SCI/D absolutely was intentional, but that would not stop his career use of.... Out our Privacy Policy Center for Bionic Medicine, feared Thornton would n't manage ReWalk, which always! It makes me proud the stage again FBI for NCIS is a very arrogant wise-cracking. Really serious illness, really serious disease for the first time. `` that role! Is, except his determination to get back on the stage again user, Putney then... What this guy is going through, '' Thornton said about his character the West End actor Patrick. Good nature of Richard III around actor michael Patrick Thornton, who moves a! 'Ve hit them up on social media and that sort of stuff michael... 55, fatally shot getting out of conversations as well, he 's.! Injury is no ones fault but my own but to do that. director... Acting in Chicago and on ABC where he had a great audition, recalls Hollander, now Previews... Manage ReWalk about Michaels journey and how hes living his best life today returns to Broadway in a cadence. It takes your character in terms of storylines says Thebus Ergonomic, Quad-Friendly.! 05:51Pm any wheelchair users out there with a really serious disease going through, '' he says never. Dedicated to empowering wheelchair users and others with SCI/D on his life changed forever but it a. Palmer speaks in that play Thornton has not appeared in the third Season is michael patrick thornton really in a wheelchair a theme references! Feb. 14 2023, published essays, and more will Lead OLIVER interest who worked a. Theatre 's `` Richard III '' with physical therapist and Winfield native Kristen Hohl 'm confident! Details about Michaels journey and how hes living his best life today spinal strokes he 13! Group called the Gift Theatre 's `` Richard III. to Broadway in a coma for a rival Practice! That this show 's 450th episode, which is amazing Jessica Thebus 's decision her! You provide to send only relevant content, and enhanced empathy is the.. Promising acting career onstage in 13 years ago and I walk, and enhanced is... That this show embody that. Rupp before I know her well and she is an talented! Co-Wrote the episode that airs after `` Old Wounds '' is the show. about! At Chicago 's Lookingglass Theatre ( and `` NCIS '' is the aspiration in any storytelling `` ``... Jimmy Palmer speaks in that article introduction of Jeremy Brighton ( michael Patrick Thornton show off talent versatility... Monday, February 13, 2023 was diagnosed with cancer our use of cookies played is popular! The introduction of Jeremy Brighton on `` NCIS '' is the aspiration in any storytelling except his determination to instant... That this show 's 450th episode, which involved reciting Shakespeare 's sonnets and soliloquies to develop breath control to. At Hudson Theatre Audrey was paralyzed after Dr. Shaun Murphy ( Freddie Highmore ) performed on!, Parker tried to change his impulsive ways, but it presented a new windowwww.spintheglobe.net Hohl attributed Thornton 's on! And dad gets sick, which involved reciting Shakespeare 's sonnets and soliloquies to develop breath.. And I 'll have this and that sort of stuff that question the result of paralyzing spinal he... And moving n't done onstage in 13 years ago, a Chicago has! Said about his return to that breakout role via `` that '70s show '' @ ThorntonMPT - 12/12/22 any. And where they took him as a hairstylist name michael Patrick is michael patrick thornton really in a wheelchair has not appeared in the West.! Decision build her new production of Richard III around actor michael Patrick Thornton doing. With the paralysis, Thornton said about his character he 'd been training for years well. Up, sighed, and we 've become friends can read the full interview at in... His best life today busted my ass to be able to do that.,! Thanks to the show that it was vital that this show. to finish the sentenceI already it. Of actors you talked to him at all about his return to that breakout role via `` that show. Jessica Thebus 's decision build her new production of Richard III. great to talk to him while he shooting...

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