John Michael Higgins

John Michael Higgins was born in Boston, MA. He studied literature at Amherst College and has since become a prolific actor on the big and small screens.

In movies, Higgins has played characters ranging from a gay Shih-Tzu handler in the Christopher Guest mockumentary Best in Show to late-night talk show host David Letterman in the HBO film The Late Shift. He also played Terry Bohner, of the New Main Street Singers, in another of Guests films, A Mighty Wind. In addition to hiring Higgins to act, Guest asked him to write original satirical songs and arrange music for the movie.

Higgins has also appeared in a number of fantasy comedies, including Fred Clause, Evan Almighty and Yes Man, plus romantic comedies like The Break Up.

In addition to his work on the big screen, Higgins has had success in live theater. He played legendary American tennis player Bill Tilden in A.R. Gurneys play Big Bill, which earned him a nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Play from the Drama Desk in 2004.

Higgins television career began in the 1980s, when he appeared on notable series like Miami Vice, Seinfeld, Mad About You, Frasier, Cybill, Ally McBeal and Party of Five. He went on to star opposite Selma Blair and Molly Shannon in the comedy series Kath and Kim, and he had recurring roles in Raising the Bar, Boston Legal and Arrested Development. His voiceover work includes Cartoon Networks Harvey Birdman Attorney at Law and Foxs CGI animated show Game Over.

Higgins stars opposite Fran Drescher in TV Lands new sitcom Happily Divorced. He plays Dreschers husband, who announces he is gay after 18 years of marriage.

Higgins has two new projects in the works. He plays Principal Wally Snur in the movie Bad Teacher with Cameron Diaz, Jason Segel and Justin Timberlake, and he is working on Cameron Crowes dramedy We Bought a Zoo with Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson and Thomas Haden Church. Both movies are scheduled to be released in 2011.

Higgins lives in Los Angeles with his wife and his two children.