Michael Kostroff

Michael Kostroff

64 · Born: May 22, 1961

Personal Details

BornMay 22, 1961 New York City, New York, USA

Biography

Michael Kostroff is a multifaceted television, stage, and film actor, renowned for his remarkable five-season portrayal of the unscrupulous gang attorney Maury Levy on HBO's iconic series, "The Wire", as well as his recurring roles on a plethora of popular television shows.

Born in the vibrant city of New York, Kostroff was exposed to the world of theatre at a young age and subsequently attended the prestigious High School of Performing Arts. He embarked on a thrilling journey, traveling across the United States as a member of the original cast of the first national tour of "The Producers", and again as the charismatic comic villain, Thénadier, in "Les Misérables", a role he reprised for the re-imagined 25th anniversary production.

In addition to his impressive acting career, Kostroff is also a published author, having written four books, including "The Stage Actor's Handbook" (Rowman & Littlefield, 2022),which was named one of Playbill.com's must-reads for fall, 2022. He has also served as a former advice columnist for Backstage and a former writer for Disneyland, and his humorous blog, "The Weekly Curmudgeon", offers a unique blend of wit and wisdom.

As an instructor, Kostroff has taught a wide range of classes, including acting, comedic acting, and the business of the business. His popular Audition Psych 101 workshop focuses on the mental aspects of the audition process, and he has been a frequent guest lecturer at colleges, universities, and theatre schools.

Dividing his time between New York and Los Angeles, Kostroff continues to be a dynamic figure in the entertainment industry, leaving a lasting impact on the world of acting and beyond.

Career

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2025
Summer of 69
Summer of 69 as Nurse Appleman
{"id":217258,"title":"Maybe I Do","year":"2023","character":"Manny","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/maybe-i-do","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/2o5c9f27dq60.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/2o5c9f27dq60.jpg"},"released":1}
2023
Maybe I Do
Maybe I Do as Manny
{"id":217973,"title":"Chupa","year":"2023","character":"Taylor","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/chupa","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/7ump0g08ull0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/7ump0g08ull0.jpg"},"released":1}
Chupa
Chupa as Taylor
{"id":275232,"title":"Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game","year":"2023","character":"Chairman Warner","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/pinball-the-man-who-saved-the-game","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/2a3he73upos0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/2a3he73upos0.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":141745,"title":"Standing Up, Falling Down","year":"2020","character":"Rabbi","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/standing-up-falling-down","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/4u3oa2525b50.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/4u3oa2525b50.jpg"},"released":1}
2020
{"id":136828,"title":"The Sunlit Night","year":"2020","character":"Critic #3","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-sunlit-night","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/1v9j96omnu3g.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/1v9j96omnu3g.jpg"},"released":1}
The Sunlit Night
The Sunlit Night as Critic #3
{"id":103834793,"title":"The Plot Against America","year":2020,"character":"Shepsie Tirchwell","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/the-plot-against-america","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/7hrnphqq3rl0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/7hrnphqq3rl0.jpg"},"released":1}
The Plot Against America
The Plot Against America as Shepsie Tirchwell
{"id":134711,"title":"Tommy Battles the Silver Sea Dragon","year":"2018","character":"Defense Attorney","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/tommy-battles-the-silver-sea-dragon","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_134711.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_134711.jpg"},"released":1}
2018
{"id":103832923,"title":"Indoor Boys","year":2018,"character":"Richard","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/indoor-boys","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/show_103832923.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/show_103832923.jpg"},"released":1}
Indoor Boys
Indoor Boys as Richard
{"id":110994,"title":"The Wizard of Lies","year":"2017","character":"Peter Madoff","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-wizard-of-lies","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/3f4e1o4gau3g.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/3f4e1o4gau3g.jpg"},"released":1}
2017
The Wizard of Lies
The Wizard of Lies as Peter Madoff
{"id":114283,"title":"Molly's Game","year":"2017","character":"Louis Butterman","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/mollys-game-2017","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/7gktr6p7c850.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/7gktr6p7c850.jpg"},"released":1}
Molly's Game
Molly's Game as Louis Butterman
{"id":103830083,"title":"The Deuce","year":2017,"character":"Rizzi","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/the-deuce","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/1rca0ri09ct8.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/1rca0ri09ct8.jpg"},"released":1}
The Deuce
The Deuce as Rizzi
{"id":10794,"title":"Luke Cage","year":2016,"character":"Dr. Noah Burstein","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/luke-cage","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/5o5rsmavf7r0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/5o5rsmavf7r0.jpg"},"released":1}
2016
Luke Cage
Luke Cage as Dr. Noah Burstein
{"id":19188,"title":"Other Plans","year":"2014","character":"Louis","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/other-plans","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/3k1h3q708nvg.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/3k1h3q708nvg.jpg"},"released":1}
2014
{"id":122858,"title":"Best Man in the Dark","year":"2014","character":"Ricky Feruci","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/best-man-in-the-dark","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_122858.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_122858.jpg"},"released":1}
Best Man in the Dark
Best Man in the Dark as Ricky Feruci
{"id":668,"title":"Damages","year":2012,"character":"Judge Richard Gearheart","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/damages","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/58219gmvs320.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/58219gmvs320.jpg"},"released":1}
2012
Damages
Damages as Judge Richard Gearheart
{"id":20819,"title":"Hit List","year":"2011","character":"Mr. Weller","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/hit-list-2011","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_20819.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_20819.jpg"},"released":1}
2011
Hit List
Hit List as Mr. Weller
{"id":6773,"title":"Sonny with a Chance","year":2009,"character":"Marshall Pike","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/sonny-with-a-chance","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/show_6773.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/show_6773.jpg"},"released":1}
2009
Sonny with a Chance
Sonny with a Chance as Marshall Pike
{"id":989,"title":"Eagle Eye","year":"2008","character":"Jeweler","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/eagle-eye","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/461uga4cog30.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/461uga4cog30.jpg"},"released":1}
2008
Eagle Eye
Eagle Eye as Jeweler
{"id":25,"title":"The Wire","year":2002,"character":"Maury Levy","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/the-wire","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/7onse35ojrv0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/7onse35ojrv0.jpg"},"released":1}
2002
The Wire
The Wire as Maury Levy
{"id":215338,"title":"Behind the Seams","year":"2000","character":"Waiter","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/behind-the-seams","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_215338.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_215338.jpg"},"released":1}
2000
{"id":225177,"title":"Restons group\u00e9s","year":"1998","character":"Bagastie h\u00f4tel Los Angeles","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/restons-groupes","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_225177.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_225177.jpg"},"released":1}
1998
Restons groupés
Restons groupés as Bagastie hôtel Los Angeles
{"id":835,"title":"Liar Liar","year":"1997","character":"Conference Room Attorney","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/liar-liar","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/1uvamkhjl490.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/1uvamkhjl490.jpg"},"released":1}
1997
Liar Liar
Liar Liar as Conference Room Attorney
{"id":172229,"title":"The Wire Odyssey","year":"2007","character":null,"permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-wire-odyssey","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_172229.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_172229.jpg"},"released":1}
2007
{"id":149665,"title":"The Wire: The Last Word","year":"2007","character":null,"permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-wire-the-last-word","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_149665.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_149665.jpg"},"released":1}