Canadian actor Michael Cera was born on June 7, 1988 in Brampton, Ontario. His first acting stint was in television advertisements, and he later moved to appearing in several children’s programs and television films. His early career was also marked by voice work for Braceface, The Berenstain Bears and Rolie Polie Olie. He made his film debut in 2002, when he played the young version of game show producer Chuck Barris in the biopic Confessions of a Dangerous Mind.
Cera got his big break in 2003, when he joined the cast of the comedy Arrested Development. Along with Alia Shawkat, he was one of the first actors to be cast. He played the role of George Michael Bluth, the son of Michael (Jason Bateman) who develops a crush on his cousin Maeby (Shawkat). The series was favorably received by critics, and put him on the map.
The role on Arrested Development gave Cera two major film roles. In Superbad, which was released in 2007, he plays Evan, a senior high school student who decides to throw an alcohol-charged party with his friends (Jonah Hill and Christopher Mintz-Plasse) to impress his crush (Martha MacIsaac). The same year, he starred in the surprise comedy hit Juno, where he plays Paulie Bleeker, a high schooler who impregnates his friend Juno MacGuff (Ellen Page). Both films were well-received, and he won Most Promising Performer honors from the Chicago Film Critics Association because of both roles. Cera has also signed on to appear as one of the lead characters in 2008’s Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, a comedy with Kat Dennings and Alexis Dziena.
Apart from these, Cera has also played guest roles in several television shows, including Veronica Mars, Derek and Simon: The Show and Tim and Eric, Awesome Show, Great Job!
Cera is also a member of the indie band The Long Goodbye, where he does vocal duties with fellow actor Clark Duke. Although some of their songs have been posted online, it is implied that the band is more of a hobby, although later updates say otherwise.