Mike's life journey began with a remarkable adoption, a truly unique and extraordinary event, even before his birth, in the charming and picturesque suburban town of Massapequa, Long Island. This extraordinary start was made possible by his father, Joseph A. Funk, a man of great dedication and commitment, who made a significant and lasting impact on his country by serving in the military for an impressive and remarkable thirty-six years, a testament to his unwavering patriotism and sense of duty. In stark contrast, Mike's mother, Jeanne, dedicated herself to nurturing and caring for their family, selflessly devoting herself to the role of a homemaker, allowing her to raise Mike alongside his three sisters, Jeanne, Carol, and Susan, in a loving and supportive environment that shaped the early years of his life.
Mike's academic trajectory commenced with a remarkable milestone, as he was fortunate enough to be accepted into the esteemed Berklee College of Music, a globally recognized institution situated in Boston, Massachusetts, renowned for its excellence in music education. This marked the beginning of his odyssey, as he set his sights on mastering the intricate art of Film Scoring, a discipline that requires a deep understanding of music theory, composition, and the ability to craft scores that seamlessly complement the visual elements of a film.
As Mike's intellectual curiosity and artistic fervour intensified with each passing day, his dedication to his craft continued to blossom, gradually propelling him towards a desire for more comprehensive knowledge and expert tutelage, which in turn led him to seek out the esteemed and renowned The Acting Studio in New York City, a venerable institution renowned for its exceptional training programs and esteemed faculty.
Mike's artistic growth and development as a performer were skillfully nurtured under the guidance of James Price, a studio director renowned for his exceptional expertise, whose own trajectory had been shaped by a prestigious apprenticeship at the esteemed Neighborhood Playhouse, where he had the privilege of learning from the illustrious Sanford Meisner, a legendary figure in the world of acting, whose pedagogical influence would undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on Mike's burgeoning talent.
Mike's educational journey at Berklee College of Music and The Acting Studio played a pivotal role in his artistic growth, allowing him to distill the wisdom and expertise of his mentors and contemporaries into a distinctive perspective and artistic identity that would later become the hallmark of his creative endeavors.
Mike, a multifaceted and remarkably gifted individual, has chosen the dynamic and culturally rich city of New York as his permanent abode, where he has been leaving an indelible mark on the realms of theatre and cinema, consistently showcasing his exceptional acting prowess to diverse and discerning audiences, thereby cementing his reputation as a true master of his craft.