Michael Welch has been acting since the age of 10 and is best known for his role as the popular Mike Newton in The Twilight Saga Film Series (2008-2011). He has also appeared as Luke Giradi in the beloved CBS show Joan of Arcadia (2003-2005) and most recently as rugged survivor Mack Thompson in the hit Syfy Channel original zombie series, Z Nation (2014- ).
Welch has starred in many recent films such as The Boys of Abu Ghraib, Grace Unplugged, Hansel and Gretel Get Baked, The Demented, Born Bad, and the highly acclaimed LGBT feature, Boy Meets Girl. He has also appeared in several award-winning festival favorites such as Unrequited, Lost Dream, Archie’s Final Project, An American Crime, United States of Leland, American Son, All the Boys Love Mandy Lane, and The Coverup.
Michael is familiar to television audiences for his many starring roles on Emmy Award-winning shows, most recently NCIS: New Orleans, Grimm, and CSI: NY. He received immense praise from critics, fans, and industry insiders alike for his portrayal of a dirty cop in a 2015 appearance on ABC’s Scandal, playing opposite Kerry Washington. During the past several years he has worked on Criminal Minds, Bones, CSI, The Riches, CSI: Miami, Numb3rs, Law & Order: SVU, Crossing Jordan, NCIS, Cold Case, and Without a Trace. His earlier years included performances on Stargate SG-1, Judging Amy, The District, Touched By an Angel, Malcolm In the Middle, The X-Files, The Pretender, 7th Heaven, Chicago Hope, and Frasier.
Welch won Best Actor at the 2011 First Glance Film Festival in Hollywood for his portrayal of a troubled young man in Unrequited, and at FilmOut San Diego in 2014 for Boy Meets Girl. Michael is the recipient of two Young Artist Awards, first for his performance in Star Trek: Insurrection, and the second for his work as Luke Girardi on the hit television series Joan of Arcadia.
In spite of his busy schedule, it is essential for Michael to give back. Welch received the Pioneering Spirit Award from The Thirst Project in 2011 for his efforts in raising awareness of the global water crisis and helping to fund clean-water wells in developing nations. In 2010, Welch had the great honor of visiting troops and their families in Germany through the USO, getting to personally thank wounded soldiers and working with over 600 military youths. Welch was Co-Chair of the 4th annual Walk on The Horizon, an event to raise awareness and resources for adults with developmental disabilities.
2015 is shaping up to be an excellent year for Michael with the expected release of 4 films, The Well, Cawdor, Until Someone Gets Hurt, and The Grounds. Michael <> is represented by Curtis Talent Management and The Talent House LA.