Appreciating Michael Gross

I have met actor Michael Gross several times. Each time, it seems like I come back with an interesting tidbit.

The first time I met Gross was at Motor City Comic Con. I was in the men's room using the urinal, when Gross went to the next one. There's always a bit of discomfort at urinals. I smiled and said I planned to meet him, but I would wait to do so at his table later. He got a big laugh out of that.

The second time I met Gross was also at Motor City Comic Con. As we talked, I asked about his sister Mary. He paused for a second and as he began to speak, he was choked up a bit. He thanked me for asking about her and gave me a quick update. He was genuinely touched that I asked.

One other meeting was at the ill-fated ReWind Con. This was in 2016 and my selfie game was not good. As I looked for help, Gross took my camera and snapped this selfie. He commented he had gotten good at it through these such situations.

Gross has a reputation for being incredibly nice. He is an excellent actor, as well. While his work on Family Ties was great, he showed his versatility in many other perhaps less-known roles. 

Michael Gross and me in Bloomingdale, IL-November 2016.

Selfies With Michael Gross

I first met Michael Gross in a restroom at the Motor City Comic Con years ago. Of course, I officially met him at his booth there a few hours later. At that time, we laughed about our earlier meeting.

Michael is one of the nicest people I have ever met. He appreciated all of his fans at the show and he talked about his career and many other topics. It really was a great time hanging with him for a bit.

Years later, I met him again at REWind Con. Despite the organizational issues with REWind Con, I had an absolute blast there. I met so many different actors who were making rare appearances. I also had the chance to spend good amounts of time with the various celebrities, including Michael.

I was alone at the time and we started talking about trying to work these conventions by yourself. He had his own issues with working solo. We both understood the issues the other had.

Michael demonstrated his selfie-taking abilities, which helped him and his fans (like me). By Michael taking the pictures, neither of us had to struggle to find someone. Michael solved his problem and thereby solved my problem (and the problem of many solo fans).

The other advantage is having a picture that Michael took. I Michael Gross selfie! It makes it a bit more interesting. Of course, the picture below is from someone else who captured the moment of Michael taking our selfie.

Michael Gross and me in Bloomingdale, IL-November 2016.

Friendly Encounters: Michael Gross and Jack Keenan

This is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities.

Most people fondly recall actor Michael Gross for his role as Michael Keaton on tv's Family Ties.  Of course my bud Jack knows of that role, but his favorite Gross role was as William Matix in the true life movie In the Line of Duty: The F.B.I. Murders.  Jack and I talked to Gross about both roles and more when we saw him at the recent REWind Con.
Gross is a talented actor, but in real life, he is much closer to Keaton than to Matix.  He did enjoy the acting stretch of playing Matix though.  This really tells of the talent that Gross has.
Gross has done a lot of other projects besides these two, including a stint on The Young & Restless.  He's done spots on episodic television, voice work, movies and more.  Another big role was as Burt Gummer in the Tremors franchise.
He talked to us about Tremors 6, which he stated is in development already.  That is exciting news.  Gross was so popular in that role, that the focus of the movie has shifted to him from the group of characters in the original.
Gross is a class act and one of the true nice guys.  We also talked a bit about his sister Mary, who is doing well, although not acting as uch right now.
Here's one last footnote.  Gross and his Family Ties wife Meredith Baxter have the same exact birthday!
Thank you to Gross for his time and thanks to REWind Con for setting the stage for this.  In the next several days, I'll be recapping several other celebrity encounters from REWnd Con.

Jack Keenan and Michael Gross in Bloomingdale, IL-November 2016.

Family Ties in Novi

I was doing some work around the Detroit area. The first place I needed to go was a convention center in Novi about 25 miles west of Detroit. After driving from Chicago, I hit the restroom for a quick break before I met my client. After splashing some cold water on my face, I looked in the mirror and saw Michael Gross standing at the sink next to mine. I learned that Gross (and several other celebrities) were there for the Motor City Comic Con. We walked out of the restroom together and I had a chance to talk to him as he walked to his table. In the 80's, Gross played the nice dad on tv's Family Ties. The 'nice' part wasn't an act. Gross was so extremely nice to me (and others). We chatted for a few minutes and he was genuinely touched when I asked him about his sister Mary. A little known fact on Gross is that he and his Family Ties co-star Meredith Baxter were born on the same date.

Michael Gross and me in Novi, MI-May 2007.