A character player and occasional leading man of TV and infrequent feature films, Michael Durrell is best recalled for his recurring role as the father of Donna Martin (Tori Spelling), on "Beverly Hills, 90210", a role he has played since 1992. After studying acting with Stella Adler, he began his career in NYC playing Peter Wexler on the CBS daytime drama "The Guiding Light" for several years. Durrell made the move to primetime with a guest appearance on a 1977 episode of "Kojak" and soon after was playing roles in TV-movies ("A Killing Affair" CBS, 1977) and miniseries ("The Immigrants" syndicated, 1978). Olive-complexioned, with a full head of brown hair, Durrell was brought out to Hollywood in 1980 to be a supporting player on "Nobody's Perfect" (ABC), a vehicle for Ron Moody. When that show soon failed, he was slotted as Diana Canova's neurotic brother in the short-lived ABC sitcom "I'm A Big Girl Now". Durrell also appeared in "Shannon" (CBS, 1981) and was Linda Lavin's love interest on the final season (1984-85) of CBS' of "Alice". From 1986-89, he was the D.A. forever losing cases to Andy Griffith's "Matlock". Also in the 80s, Durrell was a regular on the NBC daytime drama "Santa Barbara" for a year and a half.
Longform TV has given Durrell meatier roles. He was the backboned father in the 1983 NBC miniseries "V" and that same season was NEW YORK TIMES reporter covering a southern election in the CBS miniseries "Chiefs". Durrell also lent his talents to "Have You Tried Talking to Patty?", a 1986 "CBS Schoolbreak Special", playing the father of a deaf rebellious teen. He worked in another "CBS Schoolbreak Special" in 1993, this time as a police lieutenant investigating hate crimes in "Crosses on the Lawn".
Durrell has worked only sporadically in feature films, beginning with "Thank God It's Friday" in 1978 and is perhaps best recalled as Harvey Keitel's lawyer in "Sister Act" (1992). He is married to former TV executive and daytime drama producer Charlotte Savitz.
Profession(s):
Actor
Sometimes Credited As:
Sylvester Ciraulo
1992 Had small role in "Sister Act"
1987 Had regular role on "Santa Barbara" (NBC)
1983 Starred in NBC miniseries "V"
1983 Had key role in CBS miniseries "Chiefs"
1980 TV series debut in "Nobody's Perfect" (ABC)
1980 - 1981 Co-starred on TV series "I'm a Big Girl Now" (ABC)
1978 Feature film debut, "Thank God It's Friday"
1978 TV miniseries debut, "The Immigrants"
1977 TV episodic debut, "Kojak" (CBS)
1977 TV-movie debut, "A Killing Affair" (CBS)
Raised in Hartford, CT
Appeared on "The Guiding Light" (CBS)
Appeared as regular on "Shannon" (CBS)
Was love interest on final season of "Alice" (CBS)
Lost numerous cases as regular on "Matlock" (NBC)
Played the recurring role of father of Donna (Tori Spelling) on Fox's "Beverly Hills, 90210"
