| Michael Taliferro | |
| Birth Date: | August 23, 1961 |
| Birth Place: | Fort Worth, Texas, U.S. |
| Death Place: | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupation: | Actor, sportsman, singer |
| Partner: | Cathey L. Tyree |
| Children: | 5 |
Michael Taliferro (August 23, 1961 - May 4, 2006) was an American film and television actor and sportsman. He is best known for Life (1999), and The Replacements (2000), and made guest appearances on The Jamie Foxx Show, Martin, and The Parkers.
Known for his intimidating stature, Taliferro was signed by the Washington Redskins in 1984, followed by two seasons in the USFL with the Denver Gold in 1985 and the Arizona Outlaws in 1986, finishing his athletic career with the British Columbia Lions in the Canadian Football League the following year.[1]
Soon after, Taliferro moved to California and began his acting career. He was discovered by film director Tony Scott, who offered him a bit part in The Last Boy Scout. His first credited film appearance was in the 1993 film , where he played the role of a security guard. He also made appearances in the films Bad Boys, Life, Half Past Dead, Ride or Die, You Got Served and Blue Hill Avenue. In 2003, Taliferro completed filming A Day in the Life. He also directed and produced , which was completed in 2007.
Taliferro was born in Fort Worth, Texas, and had a brother, James and two sisters, Olga and Cheryl.
Taliferro was a Christian and went to a Christian school.[2] He attended Texas Christian University. He never married but was engaged to Cathey L. Tyree and had four children.
Taliferro died on May 4, 2006, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 44. The cause of death was a stroke. He was interred at Spring Hill Cemetery in Brooksville, Florida.
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Security Guard | Credited as Michael "Bear" Taliferro | ||
| 1995 | Bad Boys | Black Carjacker | ||
| 1996 | A Thin Line Between Love and Hate | Club Security #1 | ||
| Misfit Patrol | Bear & Cub Band | |||
| 1998 | Armageddon | Roughneck #2 | Credited as Michael "Bear" Taliferro | |
| 1999 | Life | Goldmouth | Credited as Michael "Bear" Taliferro | |
| 2000 | The Replacements | André Jackson | Credited as Michael "Bear" Taliferro | |
| 2001 | Blue Hill Avenue | Simon | Credited as Michael "Bear" Taliferro | |
| 2002 | Half Past Dead | Little Joe | Credited as Michael "Bear" Taliferro | |
| 2003 | Rude Boy: The Jamaican Don | Biggs | ||
| Ride or Die | B Free | |||
| 2004 | You Got Served | Emerald | Credited as Michael "Bear" Taliferro | |
| 2009 | A Day in the Life | Brian Smith | (final film role) |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Witch Hunt | Zombie | TV movie Credited as Michael "Bear" Taliferro | |
| 1996 | The Drew Carey Show | Delivery Man #1 | Episode: "Something Wick This Way Comes" | |
| The Jamie Foxx Show | Wide Clyde | 3 episodes | ||
| 1997 | Martin | Hammer | 2 episodes | |
| 2000 | Arli$$ | Otis | Episode: "I Get Involved" | |
| 2002 | The Parkers | Kyle | Episode: "The Dates from Hell" |