Micah Fowler

Micah Fowler
Micah Fowler at the Shane's Inspiration 5K in Griffith Park, September 2017
Born (1998-03-05) March 5, 1998
New Jersey, U.S.
Nationality American
Occupation Actor
Years active 2005–present
Known for Speechless

Micah D. Fowler (born March 5, 1998) is an American actor with cerebral palsy. He is most known for his roles in Labor Day and as JJ DiMeo in the television series Speechless.[1] Fowler has also had minor roles in Blue's Clues and Sesame Street.

Early life

The younger brother of actress Kelsey Fowler, he grew up in Barnegat Township, New Jersey.[2] He grew up performing in local theater productions along with his sister. After his sister started taking roles on Broadway, Fowler thought he might like to advance his acting career as well.[3]

Career

Micah D. Fowler started pursuing acting at the age of 5, which led him to roles on Blue's Clues and Sesame Street. He booked his role for Labor Day at age thirteen. For his most recent role, as "JJ DiMeo" on Speechless, he found out he booked the role on his eighteenth birthday. In an interview with People magazine, Fowler said it was the "best birthday present ever!"[4]

Regarding his role on Speechless, he said it is a challenge to play JJ. Although Fowler is able to speak, the JJ character does not speak, so Fowler has to compensate with dramatic facial expressions and body movements. It's said that Fowler's humor gets the show's biggest laughs.[1] He said he sometimes just wants to blurt out what he is feeling or saying.[4]

Fowler and the character he portrays both have cerebral palsy, and he is one of few actors with a disability playing a character with a disability on primetime network television.[5]

Ambassador for the Cerebral Palsy Foundation

When not performing, Fowler devotes his time as an ambassador for the Cerebral Palsy Foundation (CPF). After each episode of Speechless, the CPF's website posts content and short informational videos about cerebral palsy. Fowler encourages, "So the next time you watch Speechless, take 10 minutes to check out their post for the night."[4]

Personal life

When taking the role for Speechless, Fowler had to move from New Jersey to Los Angeles. To take the role, he sacrificed by missing much of his sled hockey season and much of his senior year. He plans to attend his graduation ceremony in the spring.[5]

While Fowler had previously been somewhat averse to social media, after landing the role on Speechless, he did join Instagram and Twitter in an effort to promote the show.

Growing up he said he was a huge fan of movies and television. He said, "I couldn't help but notice the lack of characters dealing with disabilities."[1] He hopes to be in a Star Wars film or a Marvel movie.[5]

Filmography

Appearances

References

  1. 1 2 3 Dalene Rovenstine (September 20, 2016). "Speechless: Micah Fowler is the breakout star". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Barnegat Teen May Be Breakout Star of Fall TV Season". The SandPaper. Sep 13, 2016. Retrieved October 8, 2016. Now a local teen has a chance to make it big on television. Barnegat's Micah Fowler – Kelsey's younger brother – will make his national TV debut at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 21 in a new ABC show called "Speechless." (subscription required)
  3. ↑ "Micah Fowler Biography". IMDB.
  4. 1 2 3 King, Brittany. "Speechless Star Micah Fowler Opens Up About Thriving with Cerebral Palsy: 'I Don't Let It Define Me'". People.
  5. 1 2 3 Lange, Ariane. "Meet The Teen Who's Casually Making Sitcom History". Buzzfeed.
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