Meet actor Michael Morgan

He may not be on the cover of YM or Teen People, but he's got what it takes. Thoughtful, intelligent, and talented, Michael's the kind of guy worth getting to know.

Read for yourself in our interview with Michael—who landed the supporting role of Benny Bogswaggle in last year's Disney film The Country Bears and co-starred in the TV series Boston Public and Malcolm in the Middle—how he handles the tough business of being an actor, and how his faith plays a major part in his life.

So Michael, how were you discovered?

When I was about twelve, I was in my middle-school drama program. We were working on our first play, a disco murder mystery called Stayin’ Al.... Right before the first performance, the lady who was the leader of the drama group and also the director of the play asked a friend of hers, who was a manager from Los Angeles, to come up and see me perform. I went to lunch with the manager after the performance. He told me that I had talent, and he would like to have me as a client. So I signed up with him; in a week I had an agency, and I was going out on interviews. About a month later I did my first commercial, and the work went steadily on from there.

When you get a role, how do you usually prepare for it?

I like to read the entire script and get a feel for the character — try to get myself inside the character and really become the character. Most of the characters that any actor plays are really people that everybody knows or can relate to, except that certain of their characteristics and traits are emphasized more in a movie or TV script.

I also like to think about the ideas in the book Science and Health. The author, Mary Baker Eddy, has some great things to say about working. Sometimes I play a kind of game. I get in bed, and I open randomly to a page in the book. And I find that almost every single time I do that, there's something I read that is able to help me with any problem I'm dealing with. The book is amazing.

What kinds of roles do you like best?

Comedic roles. I love comedy. It's such a gift to be able to make people feel happy. One of my favorite roles was actually in a college student's first film called Math and You. I guess you could classify it as a dark comedy. There was humor in the movie, but it was based on real life. A real family. Things that are funny happen, but it's also tragic in a way. It's about the relationship between a mother and father, and how their ten- or eleven-year-old child deals with the tension and constant fighting in the house. In a way, the boy is more emotionally mature than his parents. I played the boy, and I probably liked that role the most because I felt I was having an effect on people through comedy and really making them think.

The competition among actors must be tough ...

Acting is a very competitive business. I see the same five or six kids, who are my age and have my looks at interviews constantly. You could say it's like a competitive clique. At first I was a little scared because some of the kids had done more acting than me. But then I realized it was an opportunity for me to improve my acting skills. Everyone is unique, and the competition helped me develop my own style, which set me apart from the rest of the actors my age.

Have you ever lost a role you really wanted badly?

Yeah, I have. It was a role in the X-Files. I've loved that show forever. When I saw the episode I would have been in, I noticed the boy they chose for the part was physically much bigger than me, and I realized I just wasn't the type they were looking for. It was nothing against me personally, or my acting skills.

It's really hard going to auditions and interviews constantly and being told that l'm perfect for the part, then a week or so later being told I didn't get the part. When things like this happen, it gives me a chance to strengthen my connection with God, and realize that every role I receive is an opportunity from God. Whatever role He meant for me to have can never be taken away from me by another actor. If I don't get a part, I know it's because God has something better for me. It's the same for anyone else. So, in a way, there really is no competition. Each of us has a place, or a part, in God's plan. This has really helped me not be bitter about losing a role.

Are there roles you won't take because they conflict with your values?

It's interesting that you brought that up. I think it really depends on the way an actor sees the role or the character. There's always a hint of good in almost all the characters that I've played — no matter how negative they seem. If you can find that, then it's easier to become the character, and I don't think there is ever any problem with it.

Do you see any connection between the discipline involved in being an actor and the discipline in being a Christian Scientist.

Absolutely! There's a very strong connection. Being able to really listen and follow instructions is important — both in acting and healing. Whether it's listening to your director, or your stage partner, or listening in prayer to God.

For example?

When I was filming Tucker, my first television show, I was extremely sick the day of the shooting. I was really struggling just to get out of my trailer and come to the set. The scene that we were doing involved some choreography — not only talking and speaking, but also physical movement — which was very hard for me because of the way I was feeling.

During break, I went into one of the classrooms by myself and sat down at a desk. Any time I have a problem, no matter what it is, I really try to listen to God for some thoughts that will help me. I knew the role on Tucker was something that I had earned and deserved. And I felt I had a right to challenge this feeling of being sick, or anything that would keep me from doing the best I could. I thought, “If a perfect God has made me in His image and likeness, then there's absolutely no time when I'm unable to perform my best.”

In about five or ten minutes, I was called back on the set. And I was feeling perfect. I was able to do everything I needed, and give my best performance. I owe that all to Cod.

What is prayer to you?

Prayer, I think, is a calling out to God. It's communicating with God. Whether it's before I go to sleep, or before I go into an important interview, or during silent prayer in Sunday School, it's an opportunity for me to talk with God and really listen to what He has to say to me. In prayer I'm able to be alone with my thoughts and take a look at who I am. By this I mean I review my thoughts and actions and make sure they are always benefiting someone, and not hurting them. Prayer is something that makes me have no doubt in my mind that there is a God, and that He is present.

Do you think our Creator, God, has a good plan for each of us?

Yes, but you can't expect to sit back just because God has a good plan for you. You've got to realize that there's work on your part. Mrs. Eddy says in one of her other books, Miscellaneous Writings: “Success in life depends upon persistent effort, upon the improvement of moments more than upon any other one thing. A great amount of time is consumed in talking nothing, doing nothing, and indecision as to what one should do. If one would be successful in the future, let him make the most of the present” (p. 230 ).

That inspires me, and it helps me to really take hold of the present opportunities — to try my hardest at what I'm being given now, because that affects my future.

Thanks, Michael. We wish you the best in your career.