Hal Sparks

Photo of Hal Sparks

Biography

Sparks later showed his dramatic side as Michael Novotny, one of the leads and occasional narrator of the North American version of "Queer as Folk" (Showtime, 2000-05). He was also a frequent guest on TV sitcoms and a contestant on several celebrity-based game shows and reality series.

Born Hal Harry Magee Sparks in Cincinnati, OH on Sept. 25, 1969, he lived with his family in Peaks Mill, KY until his early teens. After his parents' divorce, he …

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Job Title

Actor, Producer

Born

Hal Harry Magee Sparks on September 25, 1969 in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

Career Milestones

Acted in the short film "Phil's Diner"

Began appearing in local L.A.-area comedy clubs

Moved to Chicago to live with his father and stepmother; became a member of the Second City teenage troupe

Raised in Peak's Mill, Kentucky

Wrote comedy segments for the Disney Channel series "Omba Mokumba"

1987

Won a local comedy contest and named "Funniest Teenager in Chicago"

1988

Hosted the syndicated children's game show "Treasure Mall"

1988

TV acting debut in the "Wonderworks" production "Frog" (PBS)

1989

Feature film debut as Lance, a blind orphan, in "Chopper Chicks in Zombietown" (released in 1990)

1992

Appeared in the PBS sequel "Frogs!"

1994

Auditioned to replace Greg Kinnear as host of "Talk Soup"

1996

Appeared in the BBC drama "Signs and Wonders" as a rock and roll musician

1999

Replaced John Henson as the host of "Talk Soup" (E! Entertainment Television)

2000

Cast as Michael on Showtime's Americanized version of the British hit "Queer as Folk"

2000

First significant film role in the comedy "Dude, Where's My Car?"

2006

Executive-produced the short film, "Denial" starring Brandon Routh