Michael Norell's early life was marked by frequent moves due to his father's career in the Army, which reached the rank of Brigadier General. Born in Wallace, Idaho, Norell spent his youth in various locations, including Arlington, Virginia, and Tokyo, Japan, where his family resided while his father was stationed in Korea during the war.
As a teenager, Norell attended his junior year of high school in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, before completing his education at Falls Church High School in Falls Church, Virginia. During his high school years, he developed a passion for acting, participating in several school plays.
After graduating from high school, Norell attended Washington and Lee University, where he studied Journalism and continued to hone his acting skills by performing in school plays. Following his time at university, he joined the Army, serving for five years and eventually reaching the rank of Captain.
After leaving the Army, Norell pursued a career in journalism, working as a reporter for the Richmond Times Dispatch in Richmond, Virginia. He eventually transitioned to acting, working on the New York stage for several years before making the move to Hollywood.
Norell's breakthrough role came when he was cast as Captain Hank Stanley in the hit action series Emergency! (1972). Following his success on the show, he turned his attention to television writing, penning four episodes of Emergency! (1972) and contributing to other popular shows such as The Love Boat (1977),Love Boat: The Next Wave (1998),Nash Bridges (1996),and The Magnificent Seven (1998).
In addition to his work in television, Norell wrote for several made-for-TV movies, including Doomsday Rock (1997),The Diamond Fleece (1992),Three on a Date (1978),The Cover Girl and the Cop (1989),Pals (1987),Barnum (1986),and The Incident (1990),for which he received an Emmy nomination. He also created and executive produced the short-lived series Aloha Paradise (1981).
Throughout his career, Norell has demonstrated his versatility as a writer, actor, and producer, leaving a lasting impact on the entertainment industry.
