On The Pretender, Michael T. Weiss masquerades as everything from a doctor to a rock star. But in real life, the actor doesn't put on airs. He lives in a modest home and drives a gas-saving car.

As these exclusive Star photos reveal, Michael, 38, still resides in the same Venice, Calif., fixer-upper he bought when he was a struggling actor in the '80s.

And he wheels around town in a $20,000 four-door Toyota Prius, an environmentally friendly electric-gas car that can travel up to 700 miles on one tank!

"I live my life the same way I did before I was on TV," unmarried Michael confesses. "I'm a very simple person."

While most stars can't wait to move on up to Beverly Hills, Michael, who plays the dark hero Jarod on the hit NBC drama, loves his 900-square-foot duplex in the offbeat beach community.

In Venice, where some homes can cost up to several million dollars, Michael's yellow painted unit is valued at just $207,000!

Amazingly, bachelor Michael is such a down-to-earth guy that people rarely recognize him in public, insiders say.

He's very good at doing what he likes best -- keeping a low profile!"

Says Michael: "I protect myself from the Hollywood game. I've watched people crash and burn in this business."