Michael's academic journey began in the city that never sleeps, New York, where he enrolled in a creative writing course with high hopes and aspirations. However, his enthusiasm was short-lived, as he was met with discouragement from his professor, who delivered a scathing remark that would haunt him for a long time to come. The professor, seemingly intent on crushing Michael's dreams, proclaimed to the entire class, "There are already too many mediocre writers out there; we don't need any more." The words cut deep, and Michael was left reeling from the sting of rejection.
Despite the professor's harsh words, Michael refused to let his passion for writing die. He recalled the countless times his professor would tear apart his work, leaving him feeling defeated and heartbroken. Yet, he drew strength from those experiences, using them as motivation to push forward and pursue a career in journalism. And push forward he did, eventually earning two prestigious Emmys as a news producer.
Michael's journey took a significant turn after his stint in New York, where he spent a few years before being stirred by a captivating performance of the iconic musical production, "A Chorus Line". This pivotal experience had a profound impact on his life, ultimately prompting him to dedicate himself to a career in writing.
With his creative spark rekindled, Michael made the decision to return to Los Angeles, where he secured a position as a censor for CBS in the late 1970s. This marked the beginning of a new chapter in his professional life, as he gradually transitioned into the world of television writing.
As his skills and experience grew, Michael began crafting spec scripts for popular TV series such as "Simon & Simon" and "Cagney & Lacey". His hard work and dedication eventually paid off, as he landed a coveted role as a producer on the hit series "Simon & Simon".
Michael's ascent up the producer hierarchy was a gradual one, marked by a series of lateral moves from one television series to another, until he received a call from his longtime friend and collaborator Maurice Hurley, who was actively involved in the writing and production of episodes for the popular science fiction series "Star Trek: The Next Generation".
As his relationship with Hurley continued to flourish, Michael began to make a name for himself within the "Star Trek" universe, penning a few episodes for the show's third season before eventually being promoted to the position of Executive Producer.
This newfound status as a key creative force within the franchise ultimately paved the way for Michael to team up with fellow producer Rick Berman in 1992, with the two of them deciding to create a brand new television series set within the "Star Trek" universe. The culmination of this partnership was the creation of "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine", a show that would go on to captivate audiences and cement Michael's reputation as a talented and innovative television producer.
Michael played a pivotal role in the creative process, assuming responsibility for the scripting, talent selection, and financial planning for the first two seasons of the popular television series "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine". His exceptional leadership skills and creative vision did not go unnoticed, as Paramount subsequently summoned him to spearhead a new project following the conclusion of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" in 1994.
In collaboration with Jeri Taylor and Rick Berman, Michael co-created "Star Trek: Voyager", a groundbreaking series that would serve as the flagship program for the newly formed United Paramount Network (UPN). The show's impressive run spanned over seven years, concluding in 2001 and cementing its place as a beloved and iconic addition to the Star Trek franchise.
Michael departed from his nine-year tenure on "Star Trek: Voyager" in 1996, marking the end of his extensive involvement with the franchise. He then embarked on a new creative venture, conceptualizing and bringing to life the critically acclaimed western series "Legend" for UPN, which boasted an impressive cast including the talented Richard Dean Anderson and the renowned John de Lancie. In addition to his television pursuits, Michael also achieved significant success in the realm of feature film, as his original screenplay "Oversight" was sold in 1996, although it has yet to be produced and brought to the big screen. Furthermore, Michael collaborated with Rick Berman to co-write the screenplay for "Star Trek: Insurrection", which was released in 1998, solidifying his reputation as a skilled and versatile writer in the science fiction genre.
Michael Piller, renowned television producer and writer, experienced immense success in his post-Star Trek endeavors, notably collaborating with his son Shawn Piller to adapt the renowned Stephen King novel "The Dead Zone" for the small screen.
Tragically, Michael's life was cut short on November 2, 2005, after a valiant struggle against the debilitating effects of cancer, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the world of television.
