Michael Hyatt

Michael Hyatt
Born
Handsworth, Birmingham, UK
Education
OccupationActress
Years active1995–present
Children1

Michael Hyatt is a British-born American actress. Before her work in film and television, she performed on stages throughout the United States, particularly in Ragtime on Broadway. She played Dr. Akopian on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Detective Sheila Muncie on Ray Donovan, and Cissy Saint on Snowfall.

Early life

Hyatt was born in Birmingham, West Midlands, to Jamaican-born parents Vera Hyatt, an art historian, museologist, and former deputy director of the National Gallery of Jamaica; and Charles Hyatt, an actor, broadcaster, and comedian.

As a child in 1970s Jamaica, Hyatt was exposed to art and theater by the work of both of her parents. Hyatt migrated to the United States with her mother and two siblings when she was 10 years old. The family lived in Maryland and then Washington, D.C. Hyatt holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Howard University and received her Master of Fine Arts from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. During college, she took a theater practicum, working at Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. During graduate school, she worked for director Spike Lee as an assistant.

Career

Hyatt has worked extensively in theater, television, and film. Early in her career, Hyatt performed for five months on Broadway in the musical Ragtime.

She played the role of Rita in the 2009 Los Angeles production of the Danai Gurira play Eclipsed.

Hyatt played a featured role in the 2014 film Nightcrawler as a police detective. She also held a recurring role in the second season of the HBO series True Detective, and a recurring role on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend as Rebecca's (Rachel Bloom) therapist, Dr. Akopian. Hyatt portrays Detective Sheila Muncie in the TV show Ray Donovan.

In July 2017, she starred on the FX series Snowfall as Cissy Saint, mother of drug dealer Franklin Saint, a role she played from the 2016 pilot to the series's conclusion in 2023.

Personal life

Hyatt has used the name "Michael" since high school, when she was nicknamed for being a fan of American entertainer Michael Jackson. She has one son.

Awards and honors

Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2026 Actor Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series The Pitt Won

References

  1. 1 2 Lott Jr., James (15 April 2016). "Breaking Into...Acting on Hit TV Shows with Michael Hyatt: BHL's Breaking Into". Black Hollywood Live. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
  2. ↑ Laws, Roz (14 June 2016). "Meet the most famous Birmingham actress you've never heard of". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
  3. ↑ Rowe, Marcia (27 July 2015). "Hyatt Details Acting Journey". The Gleaner. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
  4. ↑ Downer, Kristin (10 March 2016). "Exclusive Interview: CW's 'Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Actress Michael Hyatt". Nerd Problems. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
  5. ↑ Frieman, Richie (5 April 2016). "Michael Hyatt". PensEyeView. Archived from the original on 26 August 2016. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
  6. 1 2 Cooper, Michael (21 March 2016). "The Big Scoop with Coop Season 3 episode 3 guest Michael Hyatt" (Audio podcast). The Big Scoop with Coop. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
  7. ↑ Spindle, Les (21 September 2009). "LA Theater Review: Eclipsed". Backstage. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
  8. 1 2 Rapp, Ilana (20 April 2016). "'Crazy Ex-Girlfriend' Actress Michael Hyatt on the Start of Her Career: 'Suicide Wasn't Ever An Option to Me'". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
  9. ↑ Shoemaker, Allison (22 March 2016). "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend goes full Christmas Carol, minus the Christmas". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
  10. ↑ MaGee, Ny (1 June 2016). "Michael Hyatt Talks Spiritual Journey & 'Unexpected' New Season of 'Ray Donovan'". EUR Web. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
  11. ↑ Steinberg, Lisa (21 March 2016). "Michael Hyatt – Crazy Ex-Girlfriend". Starry Constellation Magazine. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
  12. ↑ Petski, Denise (21 July 2016). "'Snowfall': Emily Rios & Michael Hyatt Join John Singleton FX Pilot". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  13. ↑ Schaaf, Erica (21 March 2016). "Exclusive Interview with Crazy Ex-Girlfriend's Michael Hyatt". Talk Nerdy With Us. Retrieved 10 July 2016.[unreliable source?]
  14. ↑ Buchanan, Kyle (1 March 2026). "Complete Winners List: SAG Actor Awards 2026". The Projectionist. The New York Times. ISSN 1553-8095. OCLC 1645522. Retrieved 10 October 2026. The vampire drama was named outstanding cast and, in an upset, its star won best lead actor. Other victors included Catherine O'Hara for 'The Studio.'