Grew up in West Hollywood, the son of a movie-studio carpenter
Childhood acquaintances included Ricky Nelson and Natalie Wood
Served in the Marine Corps after graduating from Hollywood High School, and was a private detective before going into acting full-time
Played a bellhop (uncredited) in 1967's The Graduate
Met second wife Shelley Fabares in 1970 (14 years before their marriage) when she was a guest on his first series, The Interns
Directed five episodes of M*A*S*H and wrote or co-wrote four, including the 1980 Christmas episode "Death Takes a Holiday," which earned him an Emmy nomination
Provided the voice for Pa Kent in the 1996-2000 WB cartoon series Superman; Fabares voiced Ma Kent
Worked with musician Jello Biafra and director Keith Gordon on the anti-war documentary Whose War? (2006), which focused on the Iraq War
Published his autobiography, Just Call Me Mike: A Journey to Actor and Activist, in 2007
After a recurring role on ABC's Desperate Housewives, he made guest appearances on Ghost Whisperer and Without a Trace in 2009, and on Miami Medical in 2010
Served on California's Commission on Judicial Performance
Is an avid motorcyclist
Awards
1980Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy, Variety or Music Series:nominated