Michael Elias was born and raised in upstate New York. He has worked in motion pictures, television and stage as an actor, writer, producer, and director in New York, Los Angeles and London. He was a member of The Living Theatre and acted in 'The Brig' by Kenneth Brown in New York and London. At Warner Bros Elias and Rich Eustis created and produced the award winning series 'Head of the Class' that ran for five seasons on ABC starring Howard Hesseman and Billy Connolly. Elias wrote and directed the acclaimed Showtime jazz drama 'Lush Life' starring Forest Whitaker, Jeff Goldblum and Cathy Baker. Mr. Elias was nominated as Best Director in the Cable Ace Awards. His produced screenplays include "The Jerk", "The Frisco Kid", "Serial", "Envoyez les Violons", and "Young Doctors in Love". His play "The Catskill Sonata" about blacklisted artists premiered in Los Angeles directed by Paul Mazursky. The LA Weekly named it number one in its list of ten best plays of the year. In 2013 Open Road Media published his novel "The Last Conquistador". His television adaptation of Anthony Burgess' novel "A Dead Man in Deptford" on the life of Christopher Marlowe is in development with John Maybury set to direct. Michael Elias is a member of Writer's Branch of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and serves on its Foreign Language Committee. He is also a member of the WGA, the DGA, and PEN. He graduated from St. John's College in Annapolis, Maryland with a degree in mathematics and philosophy. Michael Elias lives in Los Angeles and Paris. He is married to Bianca Roberts, Executive Director of The Mona Bismarck American Center.