Trivia

Born on same exact date as co-star Meredith Baxter of Family Ties (1982).

During college, Michael worked in engine service for the Chicago & North Western Railway, which sparked his passion for trains. He is now part owner of Santa Fe Southern Railway.

Began filming Tremors (1990) the day after the Family Ties (1982) wrap party.

During his audition for Tremors (1990), he jumped on director Ron Underwood's table, and pretended that he had a gun which he shot monsters with, to convince him that he was right for the part.

Guest starred as a shrink on Michael J. Fox 's last episode of Spin City (1996), in which there were several Family Ties (1982) references. One memorable Family Ties (1982) reference was when he said, "Pay Mallory on the way out.".

Only actor to perform in every film in the Tremors series as well as the Tremors (2003) TV series.

The movie Deceived by Trust: A Moment of Truth Movie (1995) was based on real-life events that happened at the high school Michael Gross attended.

Graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a B.A., then went on to earn a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Yale University School of Drama.

Steven Keaton, Gross's character on Family Ties (1982), was ranked #12 in TV Guide's list of the "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time" [20 June 2004 issue].

Lives in California with his wife, Elza Bergeron, and his two stepchildren, Katie Burkhardt Budde (born in 1968) and Theo Burkhardt (born in 1969).

Older brother of Mary Gross.

He is of German, Irish, English, and Scottish ancestry.

Both he and his younger sister Mary Gross have made guest appearances on Boston Legal (2004).

Won an Obie in 1982 for his role in the off-Broadway production "No End Of Blame."

Has an interesting similarity with Jonathan Frakes from Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987). Both men were about 35 years old when they started their most famous TV Role. (Gross's role of Steven Keaton in Family Ties (1982), Frake's Role of Commander William T. Riker in TNG), and played that role for 7 years. Also, both men were clean shaven for the first season of their respective shows, but grew a beard before the second season, and kept it for the remainder of the series.

He was awarded the 1986 Drama Logue Award for Outstanding Performance for "The Real Thing" at the Mark Taper Forum Theatre in Los Angeles, California.

Cousin of Ron Masak. First cousin once removed of Kathryn Masak and Mike Masak.

He was awarded the 1993 Drama Logue Award for Performance in "Money and Friends" in presented by the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson at the James A. Doolittle (University of California) Theatre in Los Angeles, California.