Ontario born Michael Ironside started his acting career in 1977 and has since appeared often as a villain or tough guy in some of the best known science fiction films as well as playing supporting characters in other film and television. He is probably best known for his roles in Total Recall (1990), Scanners (1981) and Starship Troopers (1997). With over thirty years in the business Ironside maintains a busy acting schedule.
Michael Ironside's first video game credit is with Run Like Hell: Hunt or Be Hunted in 2002, but he is best known for his work starting with the hit Xbox title Splinter Cell that same year, where he voiced the main protagonist Sam Fisher and continued to do so for a total of six titles in the franchise. As a method actor he has stated that generally he has not been a fan of voice work, preferring to act with and react to others on set. During the development of the first Splinter Cell, it is understood Sam Fisher was further developed by Ironside who added a degree of depth and further established the trademark character to the role.
"Given the limitations of the dialogue, given the limitations of the responses and the choices within the game, to put character and personality into that, I think I succeeded." (From behind the scenes promotional videos for Splinter Cell)
Michael Ironside has appeared in other titles including live-action sequences for the 2007 Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars.
