I would watch Michael Par in a movie before Tom Cruise ANY time!! Michael is a great actor in my bookand was and still is mighty handsome too!! I think Michael has his priorities straight for a comfortable life for him and his family. I'm kind of glad he hasn't been living in the limelightglitz & glamour will eat you up and spit you out a lot faster than a more calm & easy going life will. Not saying that Michael has not worked hard as I know he has and still isjust saying that he's not constantly in the spotlight like the 111cbig name stars which is a heavy burden in itselfboth mentally & physically. I'm glad Michael took the smaller pathhe has not been run down to the ground and it showshe STILL looks gorgeous today!! Love You Michael!
"Ain't life grand!"

Pare takes care of himself and makes a living at acting. How the hell is that disappointing? Good for Michael. 4 decades in Hollywood=successful.

[When this guy hit the screens in 1984 with Eddie & The Cruisers, Streets of Fire and The Philadelphia Experiment, people were saying that he was poised for stardom but had the caveat that he didn't deserve it.
It didn't come. Tom Cruise was the next big star.]
You are correct, Mr. Chopwood. Michael Pare was poised for stardom and did not achieve it.
[I'm surprised he's still acting.]
And yet Michael Pare has a long list of credits, which proves that although you and the critics set him up for failure, he's managed to forge a successful career.
Disappointed, Mr. Chopwood?

Tom Cruise got Risky Business a few weeks after Outsiders wrapped.Coppola offered the lead role of Rusty James in Rumble fish to Cruise, but he choose Risky biz instead, which made him an icon and was a huge hit. While Eddie and the cruisers bombed.
Kinda weird that Joey Pants was in both films and in the same year 1983!
And they both worked with Dafoe, Berenger, Lane, Stockwell.

there are many actors like MP who are in popular cult type films early in their career and it seems to typecast them. Tom Cruise was in the OUtsiders but got a nose job, got his teeth fixed and got a great agent who got him in front of the right people.
MP probably did not have the support. One thing for sure, he didn't need cosmetic work done or his teeth fixed. He is so naturally handsome.
I agree, why isn't he a household name?
Sometimes when men are older they become popular as character actors. I can see this happening. I enjoyed MP in The Lincoln Lawyer as a tough detective who gets some help from the Lincoln lawyer in putting away a killer who got away with it.
Ans yeah, he probably makes a good living without the tabloids and hassle.

As a teenager my friends and I thought he was hotter than John Travolta and other stars of that time. I never understood why he didn't become a bigger star. Travolta had many flops but was able to resurrect his career. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw him in Hope Floats.

I have to disagree. Here is a man who works in at least 5 films a year. He's made a good living acting (probably more money than you and I). He works. Just because he hasn't been in a lot of good films doesn't mean his career is a disappointment. Kevin Costner has made a lot of disappointing movies and yet he's considered a major star. If I'm an actor and I get the chance to be in 5 so-so films a year instead of working at Home Depot or Mcdonalds, I would choose to act in anything and make a comfortable living from that.

If "Streets Of Fire" had been a box office success he probably would have been the star many people thought he was going to be. It didn't do well, so that was5b4 it for him. No one was going to risk putting him in another big budget movie.

I agree mcqueenfan, he works hard. I would much rather watch a Michael Pare' movie than Tom Cruise! He has made decisions that are family oriented in exchange for a fishbowl life and big money.

I disagree.Not all actors make Tom Crui$e $.Michael,although not as mainstream as actors like Cruise,I'm sure has earned a comfortable living over the years.An I'm quite certain that he would tell you he has no regrets regarding his career decisions.All the best.

I wouldnt say his Career is disappointing, I mean he is still " working / acting " so obviously someone wants his talent..
I mean do most actors / actresses think they will be the next Marlon Brando / Tom Cruise or Paul Newman or Demi Moore or w/e.. yes they do
Does it happen? nope.. But I am sure even if they are making "B" movies they are still making a decent living

not everyone hits it BIG..
He made several good films.. Hes a fine actor and a super nice guy.
that alone is a major accomplishment..
moreso than someone who trolls message boards to insult or criticize actors..
'you're a good man, sister.' Humphrey Bogart

I have met Michael at conventions and screenings and he is down to earth and charming to his fans. Somethings, like family and a real life, are more important that making millions per movie and being a glass house! It's ok with me, if he is happy. Hollywood is a fickle place and the entertainment industry cut throat.

In a way, I think it's a good thing. While Tom Cruise has a lot of movie hits under his belt, h5b4e seems crazy. The scrutiny, the gay rumors, his marriages, his children, scientology, It would have broken my heart if that happened to Michael Pare.

i wouldn't go that far, mission impossible movies have there place, but michael should of been more popular, just wasn't in the cards for him to hit it big i guess, but oh well the guy has made a decent living acting, just not on a tom cruise level.

I would much rather watch Michael Pare' than Tom Cru111cise in anything!

o well