Michael Papajohn

He graduated from Vestavia Hills High School in 1983, followed by a two-year stint at Gulf Coast Community College in Panama City, FL. While there, he earned All-Conference honors in baseball and received an A.A. degree.

The Texas Rangers drafted Michael in 1985; however, he chose not to sign and instead attended Louisiana State University (LSU) on a baseball scholarship. Michael was a two-year starter for the Tigers team that went to the College World Series for the first time in 1986 and again in 1987. In the spring of 1987, he graduated from LSU with a degree in general studies and a minor in communications.

The fall of 1987 changed Michael’s life forever when Hollywood came to Baton Rouge, LA. Given the chance to be the stunt double for Dennis Quaid in Everybody’s All-American, he “fell” into the stunt business and hasn’t stopped to look back since. After performing all of Adam Sandler’s stunts in The Waterboy and nearly drowning while filming Titanic, he decided to turn his focus to acting. He’s appeared in several films, such as For Love Of The Game, My Giant, Little Big League, Eraser, Volcano, Spawn, Charlie’s Angels and Terminator 3.

Michael is most widely known for his role as “The Car-Jacker” in Spider-Man, whose actions ultimately lead Peter Parker to become Spider-Man. Michael was most recently seen in the hit film, The Longest Yard, as “Guard Papajohn.” Cumulatively, Michael has worked on more than 75 feature films and television shows.

In the summer of 1999, Michael produced his first full-length feature film, Rustin, starring Meat Loaf (Fight Club), Ashley Johnson (What Women Want) and Zachery Ty Bryan (Home Improvement). In June 2001, Rustin took home the “Audience Award for Best Feature Film” at the Method Fest Film Festival in Pasadena, CA.

In a business where relationships are essential, Michael’s relentless work ethic and sound character have been pivotal in creating beneficial opportunities as a successful actor and filmmaker.