Michael Anthony (actor)

Anthony was born in Akron, Ohio and was raised in Akron and Buffalo, New York.[4] He eventually joined the military,[5] achieving a rank of E-4/SRA in the U.S. Air Force.[2] He was security forces during Operation Enduring Freedom.[2]

In 2008, Anthony entered Slip-n-Slide Records' "The Next Big Superstar" competition. He won the competition and was signed to a record deal under the stage name Mike Bless.[6][7] As Mike Bless, he released the singles "Do It Like This" in 2009[8] and "Gone" in 2011.[9] He also released a mixtape titled Mr. Make It Happen in 2009.

Anthony began acting after doing production work on a film soundtrack. After meeting him, the film's director suggested him to audition for a role in the movie, which he was then cast in.[2]

Anthony was one of the contestants in the first season of OWN's reality television series Ready to Love, which premiered in 2018.[10][11][12]

In 2020, Anthony guest-starred in the Netflix series Kings of Jo'burg, which was created and produced by Shona Ferguson.[13][14] Anthony was also cast in a lead role in the short film She Had to Ask, which premiered on Allblk in the same year.[15]

Anthony was cast as Ricky in the BET+ original film Big 50 – The Delronda Hood Story, which premiered in 2021.[16][17][18][19] Anthony was also cast in a recurring role as Gary Stafford in Raising Dion.[20][21]

Other television series that Anthony has appeared in include Chicago Med, Greenleaf, Dynasty, MacGyver, Black Lightning, and The Outsider.[2][22]

Singles

Mixtapes