Michael Cera's Real Name: Michael Austin Cera

Quick answer: Michael Cera's documented full name is Michael Austin Cera. The Canadian Encyclopedia uses that form and dates his birth to June 7, 1988, in Brampton, Ontario. Encyclopedia.com, reprinting a Contemporary Theatre, Film and Television entry, independently uses the full name Michael Austin Cera and the same date and city (The Canadian Encyclopedia; Encyclopedia.com).

Real name and early life

He is known professionally as Michael Cera. Both sources agree on Michael Austin Cera and on a Brampton, Ontario, birth on June 7, 1988 (the encyclopedia uses the day-month form "7 June 1988"). The Canadian Encyclopedia, in an article by Emily Gerhard, says he made his acting debut as a child in an unpaid Tim Hortons commercial, appeared in the Canadian TV movie What Katy Did and the series I Was a Sixth Grade Alien in 1999, and by his first year of high school was already missing classes to shoot a television series in Los Angeles, later finishing his diploma by correspondence. Encyclopedia.com independently lists What Katy Did (1999) and I Was a Sixth Grade Alien (1999–2001).

Career highlights

The Canadian Encyclopedia says he played George Michael, the son of Michael Bluth, on Arrested Development, then starred as Evan in Superbad, played Paulie Bleeker in Juno, and later appeared in Youth in Revolt and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. Encyclopedia.com independently lists George Michael Bluth on Arrested Development (Fox, from 2003), earlier voice work including Braceface, and a 2005 award related to Arrested Development. Encyclopedia.com also lists earlier voice work on Rolie Polie Olie (from 1998) and Braceface, the BBC miniseries I Was a Rat (2001), and several television films. The Canadian Encyclopedia independently notes Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002), in which he played the young Chuck Barris, later credits including Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, a recurring role on Childrens Hospital, Paper Heart, Youth in Revolt, and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, plus a 2007 Austin Film Critics Association award for breakthrough artist and a 2008 Canadian Comedy Award for Superbad. It also mentions an online miniseries, Clark and Michael, made with Clark Duke.

Name notes for searchers

Michael Austin Cera is the documented full name in both sources; Michael Cera is the professional form. Searchers looking for George Michael Bluth on Arrested Development, or for the films Superbad or Juno, are usually aiming at the same person.