Michael David Shapiro ( ) (born December 29, 1965) is an American actor. He is best known for voicing the G-Man and Barney Calhoun in the Half-Life video game series.
Early life
Shapiro was born in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1965, and later moved to Seattle, where he worked for many years in the 1980s and '90s. In 1987, Shapiro helped launch the Annex Theatre in Seattle and performed in many of their productions. In the 1990s, he also did some acting work for Microsoft, including as the voice of McZee in 3D Movie Maker in 1995, and as the host of the MSN Preview in 1996. Shapiro moved to Brooklyn, New York in 2000.
Career
Shapiro is most famous for voicing the G-Man and Barney Calhoun in all of the characters' appearances in the Half-Life series. Other video games in which he is credited as "Mike Shapiro" are Blood II: The Chosen, Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories and Torin's Passage. Shapiro has also voiced many radio and TV commercials. Shapiro is a director of television shows and theater productions, with some of his shows being shown on Strike.TV. In 2007, Shapiro co-directed a TV pilot, Family Values, starring Rob Riggle; the pilot was screened at the New York Television Festival. Shapiro has also acted in recurring roles in television shows, including as Dr. Isaac Haimes in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit in the 2024–2025 season.
Filmography
Video games Year Title Role1994Super Punch-Out!!Additional Voices1995Torin's PassageTorin, Boogle1997Betrayal in AntaraPaolo, Gar Warren, NakuBig Thinkers! KindergartenBenSpy Fox in "Dry Cereal"Johnny Gecko1998Police Quest: SWAT 2Sergeant Markossian, Suspect, Gangster, Vehicle DriverGet MedievalElfHalf-LifeG-Man, HECU Soldiers, Security Guards, ScientistsBlood II: The ChosenIshmael, Additional Voices1999Sin Mission Pack: Wages of SinGianni ManeroStarsiegeSquadmate #8Half-Life: Opposing ForceOtis, G-Man, Security Guards, Male Black OpsGorky 172000Sanity: Aiken's ArtifactTiger Cage Guy2001Half-Life: Blue ShiftOtis, Miller, Security GuardsHalf-Life: Decay Scientists, Security Guards,2004Half-Life 2G-Man, Barney Calhoun2005Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City StoriesRichard Goblin, Flashback FM Imaging Voice, Commercial Voice2006Half-Life 2: Episode OneG-Man, Barney Calhoun2007CrackdownSpecial Agent Camerino, Master Wong, SUV CarHalf-Life 2: Episode TwoG-Man2008Order Up!Tommy Cheesehead, Salty Sam, Male Chef2013Dota 2OracleGrand Theft Auto VThe Local Population2020Half-Life: AlyxG-Man2022Horizon Forbidden WestJavad the Willing, Parallo
Software Year Title Role Notes19953D Movie MakerMcZeeInteractive 3D graphics software for children1996MSN PreviewMichaelPromotional video and interactive software
Television Year Title Role Notes2004Interpol InvestigatesNarrator12 episodesShorties Watchin' ShortiesAdditional Voices13 episodes2023Law & Order: Organized CrimeCoronerEpisode: "Tag: GEN"2024–2025Law & Order: Special Victims UnitDr. Isaac Haimes2 episodes
Film Year Title Role Notes1991Listen CarefullyChrista's deaf son1995GeorgiaBrian1999The Engagement PartyMatthewLovers LaneDeputy David Schwick2007Day ZeroNews Announcer (voice)20153rd Street BlackoutJosh2019The PulseTravisShort film
References
External links Official website