Michael Dunn was born Gary Neil Miller in Oklahoma on October 20, 1934. His parents were Mr. and Mrs. Fred Miller. They moved to Detroit, Mich. in 1938. He was 5 years old when he knew he'd be a dwarf but was determined not to let it stop him or make him dependent. He graduated from Detroit Redford High School in 1951, where he had been active in many school activities, including the student council and was captain of the cheerleading team. At 18, he enrolled as a student at the University of Michigan, but a leg injury caused by being accidentally knocked down a flight of stairs forced him to leave. Later, he transferred to the University of Florida, where he acted, was a cheerleader, and was editor of the college newspaper, and received his degree in 1956. He'd supported himself during school by singing at local bars, and knew by graduation that he wanted to be an actor. "Frankly", he told a reporter, "I knew there wouldn't be too much competition for roles. There are a great many professional midgets, but there aren't too many dwarfs who can act." Waiting for his big break, he found employment as a sports reporter, a hotel detective, and a missionary. But when he hit New York, he finally got some acting parts in off-Broadway plays - and when he was nominated for a Tony Award in 1963(for his role in Edward Albee's play, Ballad af A Sad Cafe), his luck changed for good. He even landed an Oscar nomination for his role as narrator in the 1965 movie, Ship of Fools (1965). Still, Dunn was frustrated by the lack of variety in the parts he was offered. While filming on location in England in 1973, the 3' 6" actor died. He was 39.


Had an IQ of 178. Rumors of suicide have been unfounded. He did develop an acute alcohol problem and liver cirrhosis probably hastened his early death. The general consensus is that he died of heart failure in his sleep as a result of the disease. Was nominated for Broadway's 1964 Tony Award as Best Supporting or Featured Actor (Dramatic) for "The Ballad of the Sad Cafe." Phoebe Dorin, Dunn's singing partner and "Wild Wild West" co-star, is extensively interviewed about their relationship in Tom Weaver's book "Science Fiction Confidential" (McFarland & Co., 2002).