Michael Ballew, a multifaceted individual, was an American actor, stuntman, and transportation coordinator with a diverse background. His journey began when his family relocated to Leavenworth, Washington, prompting him to take up football as a freshman in high school. He received a partial football scholarship to Shoreline Community College in Seattle, where he honed his skills.
After completing his junior college education, Ballew transferred to the University of Washington to pursue a degree in sociology. Following his academic endeavors, he played as a defensive end for the Hagerstown Bears, a minor league team in Maryland, for two seasons. His impressive performance earned him a spot with the Chicago Bears in 1973, where he played half a season before being cut.
Undeterred, Ballew moved to Newport Beach and was signed to the Southern California Sun of the now-defunct World Football League in 1974. His football career came to an end in 1976 when the Los Angeles Rams cut him during training camp. However, his connections in the film industry proved to be a blessing in disguise.
Tom Fears, coach of the Southern California Sun, who worked as a technical adviser on football movies, gave Ballew his first break in the movie industry. Additionally, his friendship with Lorenzo Lamas led to opportunities in the entertainment world. Furthermore, Ballew served as the manager of Lamas' GTO class automobile racing team until 1989.
Despite his many accomplishments, Ballew's life was not without challenges. He battled progressive supranuclear palsy, a debilitating condition, before passing away on October 22, 2023.
