Â鶹APP

Pdoto by G. M. Ireneo Alessi from

Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Michael Vartan

Michael S. Vartan is a French-American actor, best known for his role in the ABC television action drama Alias and medical drama Hawthorne.

He was born in Boulogne-Billancourt, Hauts-de-Seine, France on November 27, 1968. He is the son of Edmond “Eddie” Vartan, a musician, and Doris Pucher, a painter and artist.

Today, Vartan co-hosts a weekly live sports program called Advanced Shouting with friends Dan Petriw and Noel Fogelman. The first episode was uploaded to YouTube in June 2020. The broadcast is also available via Facebook.

Here are the top 10 fascinating facts about Michael Vartan.

1. He is an American-French

Michael Vartan’s parents divorced when he was five and he moved to the United States with his mother. He moved back to France to be with his father until his high school years.

He grew up as a farm kid in an austere environment in Fleury, Manche, a small town in Normandy. At age eighteen, Vartan moved back with his mother to Los Angeles, telling her that he wanted to be an artist.

In Los Angeles, he attended an acting school after he was told he possessed acting talent. He had also attended the prestigious Lycée Français de Los Angeles.

He now considers himself to be American and stated on the talk show Rove that he would like Australia to be his second home. He is bilingual and fluent in French and English.

2. He is a supporter of Australian Rules Football

Photo by Kristin Dos Santos from

Michael Vartan is a keen supporter of Australian Rules football, having watched the game on numerous visits to Australia, in particular Melbourne. He is good friends with Brendan Fevola and supports Carlton.

After completing the film Rogue, Vartan got a Southern Cross tattoo on his right arm to show his love for Australia. He is also a fan of ice hockey, a trait incorporated into his character, Michael Vaughn, on Alias.

3. He was  Married to Lauren Skaar

Vartan began dating his Alias co-star Jennifer Garner in mid-2003. After several months of rumors, their break-up was confirmed in August 2004.

In March 2010, Vartan announced his engagement to Lauren Skaar, whom he met in a Whole Foods Market parking lot in Los Angeles in 2009. The couple married on April 2, 2011, at the Pelican Hill Resort in Newport Beach, California.

The couple married on April 2, 2011, at the Pelican Hill Resort in Newport Beach, California. Skaar filed for divorce in July 2014, citing irreconcilable differences.

4. He is an Accomplished Film Actor

Photo by G. M. Ireneo Alessi from

Vartan started his acting roles in European films, including an acclaimed performance in the Taviani Brothers’ Fiorile, and several smaller film roles.

 Vartan had noticeable supporting roles in major Hollywood movies, including Never Been Kissed  in1999, One Hour Photo in 2002, and Monster-in-Law in 2005. He also
he appeared in the Australian horror film Rogue and starred in the film Jolene in 2008.

Vartan’s most notable role to date has been as Michael Vaughn in the American television series Alias from 2001 to 2006. He played the role of Lancelot in TNT’s production of Marion Zimmer Bradley’s The Mists of Avalon in 2001.

5. Michael Vartan is of Jewish Lineage

Michael’s paternal grandfather was of Armenian and Bulgarian descent, while his paternal grandmother was of Hungarian Jewish background. Michael’s mother is a Polish Jewish immigrant to the United States.

Talking about his French background, Vartan said that he is actually a Polish Jew who happens to be born in France. He has stated that he tends to be considered a Frenchman in the United States and an American in France.

6. He is an Animal lover

Photo by Kristin Dos Santos from

Michael Vartan is a self-confessed animal lover. He owns a dog named Millie, with whom he appeared in a PETA video about good canine care and to whom he wrote a “love letter” for an anthology.

PETA is an American animal rights nonprofit organization based in Norfolk, Virginia, and led by Ingrid Newkirk, its international president. PETA reports that PETA entities have more than 9 million members globally.

It also campaigns for a vegan lifestyle and against eating meat, fishing, killing animals regarded as pests, keeping chained backyard dogs, cock fighting, dog fighting, beekeeping, and bullfighting, among other things.

7.  Vartan was Nominated for Saturn Award for Best Actor on Television

Michael Vartan was nominated for the Saturn award for best actor on television for his role as Michael Vaughn in the television action drama Alias.

The drama was aired for four years from 2001 to 2006 and was well received among critics. It has been included in several “best of” lists, including the American Film Institute’s top ten list for television programs in 2003.

It also received numerous awards and nominations. and is considered to be part of a wave of television series in the early 2000s.

8. He has made Guest appearances in Several TV Drama Series

Photo by G. M. Ireneo Alessi from

Vartan has also had guest appearances on Friends as Dr. Tim Burke, Tom Selleck’s character’s son, and Ally McBeal as Jonathan Basset. He also appeared on the show Kitchen Confidential, which starred his former alias co-star, Bradley Cooper, as a French chef who was Cooper’s rival.

In September 2007, Vartan played James Walker, a main role in the ABC drama Big Shots. However, the show was canceled after one season.

9. He co-starred in TNT’s series Hawthorne

Vartan co-starred opposite Jada Pinkett Smith in TNT’s series Hawthorne. Vartan replaced Jeffrey Nordling, who played the role in the pilot. He played as Dr. Tom Wakefield, M.D., Chief of Surgery.

The medical drama television series was created by John Masius and premiered on TNT on June 16, 2009. TNT canceled the series after its third season.

10. He appeared on the Show Kitchen Confidential

He also appeared on the show Kitchen Confidential, which starred his former Alias co-star, Bradley Cooper, as a French chef who was Cooper’s rival.

In September 2007, Vartan played James Walker, a main role in the ABC drama Big Shots. However, the show was canceled after one season.