| Michael Anthony | |
|---|---|
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| Born | Michael Gould, Jr. Akron, Ohio |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupations |
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Michael Anthony, (born Michael Gould, Jr.) also known by the stage name Mike Bless, is an American actor, singer-songwriter, and former serviceman in the United States Air Force. He is known for appearing in TV series such as Raising Dion, Chicago Med, Big 50 – The Delronda Hood Story, and Ready to Love.
Early life
Anthony was born in Akron, Ohio and was raised in Akron and Buffalo, New York. He eventually joined the military, achieving a rank of E-4/SRA in the U.S. Air Force. He was in U.S. Air Force Security Forces during Operation Enduring Freedom.
Career
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. As Mike Bless, he released the singles "Do It Like This" in 2009 and "Gone" in 2011. 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.
Anthony was one of the contestants in the first season of OWN's reality television series Ready to Love, which premiered in 2018.
In 2020, Anthony guest-starred in the Netflix series Kings of Jo'burg, which was created and produced by Shona Ferguson. Anthony was also cast in a lead role in the short film She Had to Ask, which premiered on Allblk in the same year.
Anthony was cast as Ricky in the BET+ original film Big 50 – The Delronda Hood Story, which premiered in 2021. Anthony was also cast in a recurring role as Gary Stafford in Raising Dion.
Other television series that Anthony has appeared in include Chicago Med, Greenleaf, Dynasty, MacGyver, Black Lightning, and The Outsider.
Filmography
Film
| 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 | ||
| End of the Road | Jake | ||
| The Sound of Christmas | Rio | ||
| Strange Love | Chip | ||
| Grief | - | Short |
Television
| 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
- 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
- "Mike Bless applauds Connie Ferguson's strength at the gym". Justnje.com. February 2, 2020.
- ^ "[Interview] 8 Questions With "Big Fifty" Actor Michael Anthony". Btscelebs.com. October 7, 2021.
- ""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.
- "Mikeblessmusic". OurStage.com.
- "Ready To Love: season 1/ Episode 2 "First Dates" – Recap/ Review (with Spoilers)". Wherever-i-look.com. 28 October 2018.
- "Mike Bless: Nicki Minaj Is Among "the Greatest Rappers of Our Time"". Nbcmiami.com. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
- "Slip-N-Slide CEO Not Surprised Rick Ross Tops Chart". Billboard. 29 April 2009.
- McLeod, Raina. "MP3 of the Day: "Do It Like This" From Slip 'N' Slide's Newest Artist, Mike Bless". Miami New Times.
- "Mike bless". Tidal.com. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
- "Michael Anthony of 'Ready to Love' gets real about dating". Rollingout.com. January 11, 2019.
- "Ready to Love Update: Mike – season 1". Oprah.com.
- "Will Mike and Shea be able to break the reality show relationship curse?". Rollingout.com. December 30, 2018.
- Malatse, Lebo (December 23, 2020). "'Kings of Jo'Burg,' Season 1 Episode 5: "We Are Brothers" — RECAP". Blackgirlnerds.com.
- "Shona Ferguson shares more visuals from upcoming series, Kings Of Jo'burg". Justnje.com. January 28, 2020.
- "She Had to Ask". Allblk.tv.
- "(Watch) Big Fifty x Cast Share Priceless On Set Stories". Rightondigital.com. September 29, 2021.
- Grant, Shawn (September 21, 2021). "Remy Ma Stars in Lead Role as "Big Fifty" in Trailer of BET+ Original Film". The Source.
- 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.
- Benoit, Kevin (October 1, 2021). "[FIRST LOOK] 'Big 50: The Delrhonda Hood Story' Starring Remy Ma". Parlemag.com.
- "Raising Dion (2019)". Watch.plex.tv. October 4, 2019.
- "'Raising Dion' Season 2: Netflix Release Date & What We Know So Far – What's on Netflix". Indianewsrepublic.in. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
- "Michael Anthony: Movies, TV, and Bio". Amazon.com.
- "Actor Michael Anthony is the right man for the role". Rollingout.com. 2021-11-18. Retrieved 2022-01-07.