Michael T. Weiss' decision to star in NBC's action/drama 'The Pretender' was greatly influenced by the wide range of professions he would be given the opportunity to portray on the series, including a policeman, an airline pilot, a doctor, a lawyer and a stuntman. The role, in short, is every actor's dream. A native of Chicago, Weiss began acting as a child, appearing in local TV commercials. While in high school, he studied acting at the Second City workshop, and after graduation, he enrolled in the University of Southern California's prestigious school of drama. Shortly after receiving his B.F.A. in 1984, Weiss landed the role of Dr. Mike Horton on NBC's venerable daytime drama 'Days of Our Lives'.
Weiss also appeared on primetime television in the NBC miniseries 'The Great Los Angeles Earthquake' and NBC's TV Movie 'Take My Daughter, Please'. After leaving Days in 1990, Weiss co-starred on NBC's 1991 remake of 'Dark Shadows', playing dual roles. In 1992 he co-starred in '2000 Malibu Road', with Drew Barrymore and Jennifer Beals.

Weiss' film credits include a co-starring role in the offbeat comedy film 'Jeffrey' where he played a handsome, promiscuous gay man obsessed with the celibate title character (played by Steven Weber of 'Wings'). In 1995 he appeared in 'Freeway', a feature film produced by Oliver Stone which won critical raves at the Sundance Film Festival. Weiss also stars in the upcoming independent feature film 'Net Worth'. In addition, Weiss enjoys the theater, both as a stage actor and as a playwright, and he is a member of the Met Theater, a Los Angeles-based ensemble company.

An outspoken environmentalist, Weiss sits on the board of directors of the Earth Communications Office. He also serves as the organization's director of public service announcements, and he has helped to coordinate a series of public service announcements featuring actors who promote environmental awareness. "I believe that everybody on the planet, should take responsibility for their own little planet-- their home. If everybody would change one or two things about their life, we could make a drastic change, so that we could have a sustainable future for our planet. Ask yourself if you really need blue toilet water, if it means that fish will be killed because of toxins that will go down the drain. Can you live without bleach? Does it matter if your underwear is really not white, if the ecosystem of our rivers and lakes will be destroyed. Is it really that much effort to recycle? Is it possible to switch household cleaners to something that's non-toxic, by reading the labels? Is it difficult to switch off the light switch so we could conserve electricity? Basically, what I'm saying: is that if we could become a little bit more aware of our actions, we could all make a HUGE difference in our ecological problems. Get involved locally, in an environmental organization. Call one of your local environmental organizations and they can give you a few tips." UB