Is Michael Patrick Thornton really in a wheelchair? American actor and theatre director Michael Patrick Thronton has been a part of the theatre world for quite some time now. The actor is also seen playing the role of Dr. Fife in the ABC show, Private Practice. Thornton has also starred in television shows and series, including Elementary, The Exorcist (FOX), Private Practice, The Chicago Code, along with Ron Howard’s The Dilemma. He also appeared in the independent feature film titled The View From Tall.
Michael Patrick is also the artistic director and co-founder of The Gift Theatre and is credited with acting in productions, including Richard III at Steppenwolf. The actor is the first actor to act onstage as he wears a robotic exoskeleton. He has also portrayed the role of antagonist Lago from Shakespeare’s iconic drama Othello at The Gift Theatre. He was also a part of the Actors Theatre of Louisville production of Our Town. His work earned him a Jeff Nomination in The Gift’s premiere. Let us find out if Michael Patrick Thornton is really in a wheelchair.
Is Michael Patrick Thornton really in a wheelchair?
Thornton uses a wheelchair. His health was severely affected after a sudden illness back in 2003, as he had to be rushed to the hospital. While talking about his illness, Michael started how he was on life support within about 30 minutes and was in a coma for a few days, and ended up thinking that it was what they called a spinal stroke.
Thornton suffered through two strokes which left him paralyzed. The actor has credited years of therapy at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago with keeping him going through his paralysis. Michael recalled how when he saw sick little children being treated at the RIC, it also inspired him. He even admitted that these children saved his life. Not only that, but he explained how the near-death experience convinced him to reflect on his life and his true passion.
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Michael Patrick Thornton Opens Up About His Paralysis
After Michael Patrick became disabled 11 years ago, the Chicago actor eventually found fame and success as a successful actor in the city and Hollywood. The actor believes that he is recognized not because he is in a wheelchair but jokingly said that his monstrously large eyebrows and crooked teeth and how to figure it out from there.
https://twitter.com/ThorntonMPT/status/1599895942710587394?s=20&t=6x56zynWN4VBGuLcMTc5rw
When talking about his paralysis, Michael explained how, with the two spinal strokes and losing everything, including his ability to move, everything just his eyeballs to talk, he was convinced that is to achieve the ability to get up in front of people and wanted to communicate what it feels like to be a human being on this earth.
The Jefferson Park native also admitted that despite his strong determination, it was not all easy to get back on stage. He explained how his spinal cord would not let his diaphragm know when it was running out of oxygen, so he would just keep talking until he started to pass out.
Is Michael Patrick Thornton in ABC’s Private Practice?
Michael Patrick Thornton was playing the role of Dr.Fife and described his character as very someone arrogant, wise-cracking, brilliant geneticist. The actor revealed that Dr. Fife in Private practice was not written as a character originally with a wheelchair or disability.
While talking about his acting career, Michael started how this role he gets to act with his ensemble is always a dream. The actor has quite a busy year ahead as he is all set to be in another movie that will be shot in Chicago. Michael is currently performing in “Thinner Than Water.” He revered that his character’s name is Gary. He lives in his mother’s garage and works at a comic book store, and is trying to get his life back together.
