Seymour Tuchow, better known as Michael Tolan, was a renowned stage-trained actor, born on November 27, 1927, in Detroit, Michigan. Prior to his graduation from Wayne State University, he gained experience in radio serials.
Tolan's early career was marked by his studies under the guidance of Stella Adler, a renowned acting guru. He went on to perform in numerous classic theater productions, including "Uncle Vanya," "Candida," "The Importance of Being Earnest," "Oedipus," "Coriolanus," and "The Grass Is Always Greener."
Tolan's Broadway debut came in 1955 with the hit comedy "Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?" This led to a rise in his stature, with strong assignments in "A Hatful of Rain," "Romanoff and Juliet," "A Majority of One," and "The Far Country."
In addition to his stage work, Tolan began his film career in the early 1950s, appearing in several bit roles, often playing ethnic characters. However, he struggled to rise to feature status and eventually left the medium.
Tolan instead focused on television, where he worked as a utility player, playing a wide range of roles over a long period of time. His strong voice also made him a suitable candidate for narrative projects.
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Tolan appeared in a number of notable television series, including "The Doctors and the Nurses," "The Greatest Story Ever Told," "The Bold Ones: The Senator," "Tarzan," "The Rat Patrol," "Mannix," "Felony Squad," "Owen Marshall," "Toma," "The F.B.I.," "Medical Center," "Cannon," "Barney Jones," "McMillan & Wife," "Kojak," "Law and Order," and "Murder, She Wrote."
Tolan also had a recurring role as a suitor of Mary Richards on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and narrated the successful miniseries "The Adams Chronicles." Although his acting load has tapered off in recent years, he can still be seen from time to time in guest parts.
In his personal life, Tolan was married twice and had three daughters. He was once briefly married to actress Rosemary Forsyth. Tolan passed away on January 31, 2011, at the age of 85.
