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Michael Talbott
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Birthdate
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February 2, 1955 (age 69)
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Birthplace
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Waverly, Iowa
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Miami Vice Role
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Detective Stan Switek
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Years active
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1973-2001
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Michael Talbott (born February 2, 1955), is an American actor, whose most famous role is that of Detective Stan Switek on the police drama Miami Vice.
Early Life and Acting Career[]
Talbott was born in Waverly, Iowa, where he still resides. His acting career began in 1973 with a role in the movie Blood Sport, and followed that with a role as the sheriff's son in 1974's Big Bad Mama, then he appeared in the horror film Carrie as Freddy DeLois. His first television appearance was in the 1974 made-for-TV movie Unwed Father, followed by appearances on Sanford & Son, The Streets Of San Francisco, M*A*S*H, Eight Is Enough, and Baa Baa Black Sheep, and several more made-for-TV movies. In the early 1980s, Talbott appeared in police roles in the movies Any Which Way You Can and the first Rambo movie, First Blood (with Brian Dennehy). He also had a role in National Lampoon's Vacation as "Cowboy" (along with Patti D'Arbanville and John Diehl), but his part was cut out of the final film, but his photograph appears in the end credits.
Miami Vice[]
In 1984, Talbott was cast as Detective Stan Switek on the police series Miami Vice. Switek's role was primarily in the surveillance (electronic, photo, audio, etc.) of suspected drug dealers, pimps, etc. His partner was Larry Zito (played by Diehl), and they frequently used a Dodge Ram Van as their car. Switek's & Zito's characters provided comic relief until the third season, when Zito was killed by a gambler and Switek was left without a partner. In the series' final season, Switek developed a gambling addiction which plagued him throughout the season.
During Vice's run, Talbott also appeared in a small role as a realtor in Michael Mann's film Manhunter, although his single scene was deleted from the theatrical cut of the film. Several other Vice extras also appeared in the film, including Miami Vice guest stars Garcelle Beauvais, Bill Cwikowski, Chris Elliott, Dennis Farina, Kim Griest, Michele Shay, Bill Smitrovich and Jim Zubiena.
After Vice[]
After the series was cancelled in 1989, Talbott made guest appearances on several TV shows before playing the character "Eddie Dirkson" in the Jack Reed series of TV movies based on the real-life policeman (featuring Dennehy in the title role and co-starring Charles S. Dutton). He would work with Dennehy on two other TV movies. His most recent appearances were in the 2001 E! True Hollywood Story about the show Miami Vice, and the 2014 movie Sal and the Goon (with John Diehl, his former Vice partner).
Personal life[]
Talbott lives in his hometown of Waverly, Iowa. His mother, Kay, passed away in 1987 and the episode "The Cows of October" was dedicated to her.