Michael Pierce

Michael Pierce is a producer of feature films, television commercials and music videos. Pierce is a native of Southern California and was born in Newport Beach, CA in 1969. Pierce is the youngest of two sons and his mother and father emigrated to California from Connecticut during the aerospace boom of the 1950's. Pierce's father was an engineer for Lockheed and his mother was a hair stylist and successful entrepreneur, opening a successful beauty salon in Newport Beach, CA. during the 1980's and 1990's.

Pierce's recognition as an artist came early, at the age of 7, when he and classmate Scott "Damien" Riley won first prize at the Orange County Fair for their collaboration on "Swimmy the Turtle", a story about a wayward turtle that mended friendships. His athletic prowess as a baseball player during his youth and adolescence was well noted. He was a three year member of the varsity baseball team at Capistrano Valley High School in Mission Viejo, CA. He was voted most inspirational player of the 1986 squad and was the starting catcher on the school's 1987 state championship team. Although highly recruited to play collegiate baseball Pierce's baseball career sputtered after high school graduation.

At the age of 15, Michael Pierce had open heart surgery for a congenital heart disease called Wolf Parkinson White. The disease, if left untreated, is generally fatal during puberty. Pierce was initially diagnosed and treated by Dr. David Cannom of Los Angeles' Good Samaritan Hospital. His corrective surgery, a panacea in his case, was performed in March of 1985 by Dr. James Cox of Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.

Pierce began his career in the film industry shortly after graduating from the University of Southern California in 1992. His early exposure as a production assistant or producer's assistant placed him on high profile projects with directors such as Oliver Stone, Paul Thomas Anderson and Clive Barker. Pierce's first foray as a film producer on 1996's was a true indie film survival story. The film was produced with his then roommates, Joseph Lawson and Scott Burgin, and financed on credits cards and loans from friends and family. The film received a very positive review in Variety and was an official selection to the SXSW (South By Southwest) Film Festival. His current film, Raised in the Ring, is currently in Post Production and was featured on ABC's investigative reporting show 20/20 featuring Elizabeth Vargas.

Pierce has also produced numerous television commercials and music videos. Those of note include the award winning [Microsoft "Realizing Potential"] campaigns of 2005-2006, [Faith Hill's "Cry"], Jurassic 5's "The Influence" and Jewel's "Break Me".

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