Michael Copon
{{short description|American actor and producer|bot=PearBOT 5}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2013}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Michael Copon
| image = Michael Copon by Gage Skidmore.jpg
| caption = Copon in 2024
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1982|11|13}}
| birth_place = Chesapeake, Virginia, U.S.
| occupation = {{Hlist|Actor|producer}}
| years_active = 2001–present
}}
Michael Copon (born Noevmber 13, 1982) is an American actor and producer. He is known for playing Felix Taggaro in the television series One Tree Hill, Vin Keahi in the television series Beyond the Break, and Lucas Kendall in Power Rangers Time Force.
Early life
Copon was born on November 13, 1982 and raised in Chesapeake, Virginia.{{cite web|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=VP&p_theme=vp&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0FA447D802A09C7E&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |title=James W. Zelasko |work=The Virginian-Pilot Archives |page=B6 |via=Nl.newsbank.com |date=April 5, 2003 |access-date=August 11, 2016 |quote=...and stepchildren, Michael Copon and Nichole Cumbie of Chesapeake...}} His father is Filipino.{{Cite web|url=http://www.spot.ph/entertainment/entertainment-peopleparties/48046/fil-am-actor-michael-copon-on-his-pinoy-upbringing-almost-starring-in-twilight-why-he-loves-sinigang-and-more|title=Fil-Am actor Michael Copon on growing up Pinoy, almost starring in Twilight, why he loves sinigang + more|website=Spot.ph}} He graduated from Deep Creek High School in 2000.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pilotonline.com/news/article_6a638b10-6365-5d2c-a404-52da2f5b836d.html|title=Chesapeake actor's new project takes aim at bullying|author=Hattie Brown Garrow|website=Pilotonline.com|date=July 9, 2013 }}
Career
In 2001, Copon portrayed the Blue Power Ranger, Lucas Kendall, on the Power Rangers Time Force television series. He reprised this role in two episodes of Power Rangers Wild Force. In 2004, he appeared in a music video for the song "Backflip" by Raven-Symoné which was directed by Sanaa Hamri. Copon portrayed the recurring character Felix Taggaro on the television series One Tree Hill. From 2006 to 2009, Copon recurred on the drama series Beyond the Break on The N network. In between that time (in 2005) he appeared (and subsequently won) the competition on VH1's But Can They Sing?{{cite magazine |author=Amy Ryan |url=http://www.ew.com/article/2005/11/01/snap_judgment_b-5 |title=Snap Judgment: 'But Can They Sing?' |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=November 1, 2005 |access-date=November 23, 2015}}{{cite magazine |author=Tim Stack |url=http://www.ew.com/article/2005/11/18/misguided-style-vh1s-can-they-sing |title=The misguided style of VH1's But Can They Sing |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=November 18, 2005 |access-date=November 23, 2015}}
In 2008, Copon played the love interest of Ashley Benson in straight-to-video movie Bring It On: In It to Win It.{{cite magazine |author=C. Molly Smith |url=http://www.ew.com/article/2005/11/01/snap_judgment_b-5 |title=How Bring It On passed the spirit stick to a universe of cheer-tastic sequels |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=August 24, 2015 |access-date=November 23, 2015}} Copon followed this up in 2008 playing the title role in straight-to-video movie The Scorpion King 2: Rise of a Warrior.{{cite news |author=Thomas K. Arnold |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/universal-video-traps-new-scorpion-152849 |title=Universal video traps new 'Scorpion' tale |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=October 18, 2007 |access-date=November 23, 2015}}{{cite journal |author=Joe Leydon |url=https://variety.com/2008/film/reviews/the-scorpion-king-2-rise-of-a-warrior-1200507467/ |title=Review: 'The Scorpion King 2: Rise of a Warrior' |journal=Variety |date=August 27, 2008 |access-date=November 23, 2015}}
On September 8, 2010, Copon released "Let's Get Nasty"{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Lets-Get-Nasty/dp/B0041XQD7Q |title=Let's Get Nasty: Michael Copon: MP3 Downloads |website=Amazon |access-date=October 8, 2013}} on iTunes and in the same year he appeared on a TV commercial ad as a spokesperson for an Asian TV station foundation called Bantay Bata.{{cite web|title=Text Bata: Michael Copon (30s |url=http://www.abscbnfoundation.org/mediacenter/index.html|access-date=January 27, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724220049/http://www.abscbnfoundation.org/mediacenter/index.html |archive-date=July 24, 2011 }} Copon starred in the thriller Killer Holiday, and he also produced and did stunts in the film.{{cite web|url=http://www.killerholiday.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100513002421/http://killerholiday.com/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=May 13, 2010 |title=The Official Movie Site |website=KillerHoliday.com |date=August 22, 2013 |access-date=October 8, 2013}} Copon is also a member of the Hollywood Knights celebrity basketball team which raises funds for various schools and charitable organizations in the Greater Los Angeles area.{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodknights.com/the_celebrities.php |title=Hollywood Knights |publisher=Hollywood Knights |access-date=October 8, 2013}}
In summer 2012, Copon started co-hosting a weekend radio show on Positive Hit Radio the Current, WJLZ 88.5 FM, in Virginia with Trina Olson called Saturday Night with Trina & Mike. {{cite web|url=http://www.facebook.com/pages/Saturday-Night-with-Trina-Mike/217277478316662 |title=Saturday Night with Trina & Mike |publisher=Facebook |date=September 27, 2013 |access-date=October 8, 2013}} The show airs Saturday nights from 5PM to 10PM ET and features Christian rock and hip hop music. The show is streamed live on the station's webpage.
Copon is executive producer of Michael Copon Studios.{{cite web |url=https://pro-labs.imdb.com/company/co0469556/ |title=Michael Copon Studios |publisher=IMDB Pro |access-date=14 March 2014}}
Personal Life
Copon endorsed Donald Trump in the 2024 United States presidential election.{{cite web|url=https://www.einpresswire.com/article/660740362/actor-michael-copon-endorses-donald-trump-for-president-and-joins-vfaf-veterans-for-trump-as-an-ambassodor |title=Actor Michael Copon endorses Donald Trump for President and joins VFAF Veterans for Trump as an Ambassodor |publisher=EIN Presswire |date=October 9, 2024 |access-date=October 25, 2024}}
Filmography
=Film=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 2005
| Dishdogz | Palmer | |
| 2006
| Artie Sanchez | |
| 2006
| Elevator | Hot guy at party | |
| 2007
| Bring It On: In It to Win It | Penn | Direct-to-video |
| 2008
| The Scorpion King 2: Rise of a Warrior | Mathayus | Direct-to-video |
| 2009
| Greg | {{cite journal |author=Dennis Harvey |url=https://variety.com/2010/film/reviews/dark-house-1117943225/ |title=Review: 'Dark House' |journal=Variety |date=July 25, 2010 |access-date=November 23, 2015}} |
| 2010
| Dex Thrilby | |
| 2010
| BoyBand | Brad | |
| 2010
| A Forgotten Innocence | Andrew | |
| 2011
| Killer Holiday | Spider | |
| 2011
| 247°F | Michael | |
| 2012
| Music High | Tommy | |
| 2013
| Killer Holiday | Melvin 'Spider' Holiday | |
| 2015
| Awaken | Nick | |
| 2016
| Worth the Price | Jake Williams | |
| 2018
| Mad World | Nicholai | |
| 2018
| Affairs of State | Billy | |
| 2023
| 1521 | |
| 2024
| Roy |
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 2001
| Lucas Kendall/Blue Time Force Ranger | Main role |
| 2002
| Lucas Kendall/Blue Time Force Ranger | Episodes: "Reinforcements from the Future: Part 1 and Part 2" |
| 2003
| Boy at beach | Episode: "Surf's Up" |
| 2004–2005
| Felix Taggaro | Recurring role (season 2), 11 episodes |
| 2005
| Scrubs | Pedro | Episode: "My Big Move" |
| 2005
| Kane | Episode: "Dangle's Son" |
| 2005
| Himself | Contestant – won competition |
| 2005–2006
| Ricky | Episodes: "Boyz 'N Commotion", "Be Prepared" |
| 2006
| Sideliners | Joey Ambrose | Television film |
| 2006–2009
| Vin Keahi | Recurring role |
| 2008
| Greek | Shane | Episodes: "Barely Legal" and "Mr. Purr-fect" |
| 2009
| Walter Leeson | Episode: "Head Case" |
| 2010
| Junior Satele | Episode: "Malama Ka Aina" |
| 2011
| Kourtney and Kim Take New York | Himself | 1 episode{{cite magazine |author=Annie Barrett |url=http://www.ew.com/article/2011/01/24/kim-kourtney-new-york-recap-premiere |title='Kim and Kourtney Take New York' premiere: Crazy Scott, poor Baby Mason, and no Krazy Khloe |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=January 24, 2011 |access-date=November 23, 2015}} |
| 2018–2020
| The Bay | Colton Kurosaki | Web series; recurring role |
| 2020
| Beaus of Holly | Phil | Television film |
=Video games=
- Power Rangers Time Force (2001) as Blue Ranger
=As a producer=
- Killer Holiday (2013) – Producer
- Fearless (2015) – Producer
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|0178757}}
- {{Twitter}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Copon, Michael}}
Category:Year of birth missing (living people)
Category:Film producers from Virginia
Category:American male film actors
Category:American male television actors
Category:American stunt performers
Category:Male actors from Virginia
Category:American male actors of Filipino descent
Category:People from Chesapeake, Virginia
Category:Participants in American reality television series
Category:Singing talent show winners