Michael Cera built a career playing awkward, self-aware characters that defined a generation of indie comedy. From his breakout as George Michael Bluth on Arrested Development to starring roles in Superbad, Juno, and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, the Canadian actor has remained a steadily working presence in both film and television. His recent turn as Allan in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie introduced him to a new wave of audiences.
Born on June 7, 1988, in Brampton, Ontario, Cera started acting as a child and moved through early television guest spots before landing the role that would make him famous. Nearly two decades later, his filmography spans studio comedies, independent dramas, voice work, and live-action blockbusters.
This guide covers his complete filmography, notable television work, biographical details, and the key moments that shaped his career. All facts are drawn from publicly available records and film industry databases.
What movies and TV shows has Michael Cera appeared in?
Age
37 (born June 7, 1988)
Birthplace
Brampton, Ontario, Canada
Breakthrough Role
George Michael Bluth (Arrested Development)
First Feature Film
Frequency (2000)
Cera’s career can be understood through a few key insights that explain both his longevity and his influence on comedy in the 2000s and beyond.
- His breakthrough came in 2007 with the one-two punch of Superbad and Juno, which launched him from television actor to film lead.
- He built a reputation for playing awkward, sensitive characters with deadpan delivery — a niche he owned throughout the late 2000s.
- In the 2020s, he expanded into more varied roles, including a small but memorable part in Barbie and darker characters in independent films.
- Voice acting and animated projects have broadened his range, with credits in The LEGO Batman Movie, Bob’s Burgers, and the Netflix series Scott Pilgrim Takes Off.
- Cera began acting as a child, with his earliest film credits dating back to 2000.
- Upcoming projects include The Phoenician Scheme (2025) and The Running Man (2025), suggesting continued momentum.
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Michael Austin Cera |
| Date of Birth | June 7, 1988 |
| Age | 37 (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | Brampton, Ontario, Canada |
| First TV Role | George Michael Bluth — Arrested Development (2003) |
| First Feature Film | Frequency (2000) — Gordy Hersch Jr. |
| Most Recent Film | Barbie (2023) — Allan |
| Upcoming Films | The Phoenician Scheme (2025), The Running Man (2025) |
What TV shows has Michael Cera been in?
While Cera is widely recognised for his film roles, his career on television stretches back to the late 1990s and includes both live-action and voice work. His most famous television role remains George Michael Bluth on Arrested Development, a part he played across five seasons between 2003 and 2019.
What is Michael Cera’s most famous TV role?
Cera played George Michael Bluth, the awkward and earnest son of Michael Bluth, on the critically acclaimed Fox sitcom Arrested Development. The role earned him a Gemini Award and cemented his reputation for playing endearingly uncomfortable characters. The series ran for three seasons from 2003 to 2006, was revived by Netflix for a fourth season in 2013, and concluded with a fifth season in 2019.
Has Michael Cera voiced characters in animated TV shows?
Yes. Cera has lent his voice to several animated series. He voiced a fictionalised version of himself — and later Scott Pilgrim — in the Netflix anime Scott Pilgrim Takes Off (2023). He has also appeared in guest voice roles on Bob’s Burgers, Childrens Hospital, and The Simpsons. The Michael Cera filmography and biography on Rotten Tomatoes includes a full list of these animated credits alongside his live-action work.
One of Cera’s earliest television roles was in 1999 on the Canadian series Twice in a Lifetime, where he played a skateboarder. This guest spot predates his film work and shows how early his career began.
What are Michael Cera’s personal details?
How old is Michael Cera?
Michael Cera was born on June 7, 1988, which makes him 37 years old as of 2025. His birth date is recorded in multiple authoritative sources, including Wikipedia and Rotten Tomatoes, and is considered firmly established.
Who is Michael Cera’s wife?
This detail is not widely reported in the primary sources that document Cera’s career. The available film industry databases — including Wikipedia, Rotten Tomatoes, and Apple TV — focus on his professional credits and do not mention a spouse. Some celebrity outlets have reported that Cera married fashion designer Nadine Bhabha in a private ceremony in 2018, but that information does not appear in the verified biographical sources used here.
What is Michael Cera’s net worth?
No verified net worth figure appears in the authoritative sources that track Cera’s career. Wikipedia, Rotten Tomatoes, and Apple TV do not list financial details. Various entertainment websites have estimated his net worth in the range of several million dollars, but those numbers are not confirmed by official or primary sources.
Net worth figures for actors are almost always estimates. No reliable public document or verified financial disclosure confirms Michael Cera’s net worth. Any number cited online should be treated as an approximation.
What is Michael Cera’s career timeline?
Cera’s career spans more than two decades, from child actor roles in the late 1990s to upcoming projects in 2025. The following timeline captures the key milestones.
- 1999: Early television appearance on Twice in a Lifetime as a skateboarder. Source: Wikipedia
- 2000: First feature film credits — Frequency, Steal This Movie!, and Ultimate G’s: Zac’s Flying Dream.
- 2002: Played a young Chuck Barris in Confessions of a Dangerous Mind.
- 2003–2006: Breakthrough role as George Michael Bluth on Arrested Development.
- 2007: First leading film role in Superbad, followed by Juno, which solidified his status as a major comic lead.
- 2010: Starred as Scott Pilgrim in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.
- 2013: Appeared in This Is the End as a fictionalised version of himself.
- 2023: Played Allan in Barbie and appeared in Dream Scenario and The Adults.
- 2025: Scheduled to appear in The Phoenician Scheme (as Bjorn Lund) and The Running Man (as Elton Parrakis).
What information about Michael Cera is confirmed, and what remains unclear?
Not everything reported about Michael Cera carries the same weight. Some details are well documented across multiple reliable sources, while others are unverified or only rumoured. The table below separates what is known with confidence from what is not.
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Date of birth: June 7, 1988 — confirmed by Wikipedia, Rotten Tomatoes, and Apple TV. | Net worth: no verified figure; estimates from entertainment sites range widely and are not official. |
| Birthplace: Brampton, Ontario, Canada — multiple sources agree. | Spouse: no mention in film industry databases; reports of a marriage to Nadine Bhabha are not corroborated by primary biographical sources. |
| Filmography: all major roles listed above are confirmed through Wikipedia, Rotten Tomatoes, and Apple TV. | Children: no public information is available. |
| First major TV role: George Michael Bluth on Arrested Development — universally cited. | Minor early roles: some short film and very early stage work may not be fully catalogued. |
What is Michael Cera’s acting style and cultural impact?
Cera’s acting style is defined by deadpan delivery, emotional vulnerability, and a natural aptitude for awkward comedy. He built a career playing shy, intelligent teens and young adults who are often the least confident person in the room. That persona became so associated with him that it influenced a generation of indie comedy and made him a touchstone for a certain kind of sensitive, self-deprecating humour.
In recent years, Cera has shown a willingness to break away from that typecasting. His roles in Magic Magic, The Adults, and Dream Scenario have leaned into darker, more uncomfortable territory. His performance as Allan in Barbie — a character described as Ken’s forgotten friend — used his deadpan style to comic effect while also demonstrating a more mature control of his craft.
His cultural impact extends beyond his own filmography. The characters he played in Arrested Development, Superbad, and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World have become reference points in comedy writing, and his influence can be seen in the wave of awkward-humour-driven comedies that followed.
What do the authoritative sources say about Michael Cera?
The most reliable sources for information about Michael Cera are film industry databases and encyclopaedic references. Each captures a different dimension of his career.
“Michael Cera is a Canadian actor known for his roles in ‘Arrested Development’, ‘Superbad’, ‘Juno’, and ‘Scott Pilgrim vs. the World’.”
— Wikipedia
“Michael Cera is known for his work in ‘Scott Pilgrim vs. the World’ (2010), ‘Superbad’ (2007), and ‘Juno’ (2007).”
— IMDB
“Greta Gerwig praised Cera’s comedic timing in ‘Barbie’ (2023).”
— Barbie press coverage
For a comprehensive overview of his credits, the Michael Cera movies and TV shows page on Apple TV provides a clean filmography, while Rotten Tomatoes adds audience and critic scores alongside his work.
Summary: What is the essential takeaway about Michael Cera’s career?
Michael Cera rose to fame as the definitive awkward teenager of 2000s comedy through Arrested Development, Superbad, and Juno. He sustained that momentum with Scott Pilgrim vs. the World and has continued working steadily into the 2020s, with notable roles in Barbie and upcoming projects in 2025. His career shows both consistency and a gradual expansion of range, from deadpan comedy to darker independent film work.
Frequently asked questions
What is Michael Cera’s height?
5 ft 9 in (1.75 m), as recorded in biographical databases.
Does Michael Cera have children?
No public information is available. He and his wife, if married, have kept that private.
What awards has Michael Cera won?
He won a Gemini Award for his role in Arrested Development and a Canadian Comedy Award for Superbad.
Was Michael Cera in Barbie?
Yes. He played Allan, Ken’s forgotten friend, in Greta Gerwig’s 2023 blockbuster.
What was Michael Cera’s first movie?
His earliest feature film credit is Frequency (2000), in which he played Gordy Hersch Jr.
What are Michael Cera’s best movies?
Critically acclaimed and fan-favourite films include Superbad (2007), Juno (2007), Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010), and Barbie (2023).
Is Michael Cera in any upcoming movies?
Yes. He is scheduled to appear in The Phoenician Scheme (2025) and The Running Man (2025).
Has Michael Cera done voice acting?
Yes. He voiced characters in The LEGO Batman Movie, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, Bob’s Burgers, and The Simpsons.
What TV show made Michael Cera famous?
Arrested Development (2003–2019), where he played George Michael Bluth.
How old was Michael Cera in Superbad?
He was 19 when Superbad was released in 2007. He turned 20 later that year.
Rebecca Haines is Managing Editor at TheUKDaily.uk, running the daily news list, the publishing schedule and newsroom workflow.