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Michael Pataki (b. January 16, 1938, in Youngstown, Ohio, USA) is an American actor. He attended USC with a double major in Political Science and Drama. His career was launched at a summer stock festival in Edinburgh in 1966, with a review that read, "Michael Pataki went beyond the bounds of mere nationality in his tense and moving interpretation of "Jerry" in "Zoo Story".

This was during the time Americans were not so well liked, but Mr. Pataki was so well loved that at a reception for the theatre group acclaimed British actor Lawrence Harvey, whom Michael had never met, said he was magnificent and gave him a big wet kiss on the mouth. The late Nicholas Colasanto said of Mr. Pataki, "He's the most talented American actor I've ever seen".

Television career

Michael Pataki's career spans 35 years. He has appeared in numerous television productions, from the black and white days of "Playhouse 90", Twilight Zone, and My Favorite Martian, to early color shows like The Flying Nun, Bonanza and The Green Hornet. Pataki was also a regular on the Spider-Man series, and had a re-occurring role on McCloud as well. One of his most famous roles was as "Korax" , the Klingon who started the fight in "The Trouble with Tribbles" episode of Star Trek: The Original Series.

In the Happy Days, "Pinky Loves Fonzie" saga, Michael was the diabolical "Count Malachi." This flamboyant character was developed while playing tennis one day with Gary Marshall. Every time Michael made a great shot he would say, "Let the Pigeons Loose." Mr. Marshall liked it so much he wrote Pataki's character into the script.

Film career

Michael Pataki's film credits include Rocky IV in which he played Nicoli Koloff, the sports administrator for the Russian team. He played one of the mimes in Easy Rider. His first role was in 10 North Fredrick. He was also the district attorney in The Onion Field, and was the operator of "The Hands" in The Andromeda Strain. Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins, American Anthem, Airport '77, and Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers are a few other notable titles.

Michael has also had his fair share of the B-movie of cinema. In "Dracula's Dog", he played opposite Reggie Nalder and José Ferrer as a descendant of Dracula who is stalked by a vampiric Doberman Pinscher. Other horror titles include "Grave of the Vampire", Return of Count Yorga". "Dead and Buried", "Terror at Alcatraz" (TV), "Graduation Day", and "The Bat People". Michael also had the pleasure of directing Richard Basehart in "Mansion of the Doomed." Pataki has appeared in three films that have been lampooned on the cult show Mystery Science Theater 3000: Superdome (film) (ep. K15), Sidehackers (ep. 202), and It Lives By Night (ep. 1010)

Other activities

Mr. Pataki directed the 1977 film version of Cinderella. He also co-produced the filming of the stage presentation of Pippin with David Sheehan, starring William Katt. Pataki is also an accomplished voice over artist, playing the part of the Sewer King in Batman: The Animated Series. Currently Michael is the voice of George Liquor for Ren and Stimpy production house Spümcø.

External links

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