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Prior to embarking on a successful film and television acting career, Michael Des Barres toured the world as a member of several popular rock groups. Also, as the son of the Marquis Des Barres of France, he carries a hereditary title that is 800 years old.

His father was also a jazz singer, which lent him an early appreciation of music. After studying acting at school, he landed roles in James Clavell's To Sir, With Love; and in stage productions of Hamlet, Macbeth, and The Taming of the Shrew. He detoured into music in 1972, when a demo record he made led to a meeting with Andrew Lloyd Webber and the quick assemblage of the glam rock band, Silverhead.

Des Barres moved to Los Angeles in 1975, becoming a prominent player in the outrageous rock scene that buzzed on the Sunset Strip. He was a member of the group Detective from 1977-79. He recorded a solo record, I'm Only Human, and then went on to form the group Chequered Past (1982-84) which included former Sex Pistols member Steve Jones. In 1985, Des Barres substituted for Robert Palmer on the band Power Station's world tour; and performed at that summer's historic Live Aid concert with fellow Power Station members John and Andy Taylor of Duran Duran. (Des Barres and John Taylor are once more in a band together, on-screen, in Sugar Town.)

In addition, Des Barres scored Adrian Lyne's 9 1/2 Weeks; wrote poetry; and penned the hit song Obsession. He released his solo album, Somebody Up There Likes Me, in 1986, just prior to devoting himself to acting full-time.

His acting career has included recurring roles on the hit series Melrose Place, Roseanne, and MacGyver; and a series-regular role on the syndicated revival of WKRP in Cincinnati. In addition, he has guest-starred on several series, including The Pretender, Just Shoot Me, JAG, Sliders, Seinfeld, Ellen, Northern Exposure, Lois & Clark, L.A. Law, Miami Vice, and St. Elsewhere.

Des Barres' feature film credits include, for Sugar Town co-writer and co-director Kurt Voss, Poison Ivy: The New Seduction; as well as The Hungry Bachelor's Club, A Simple Twist Of Fate, Widow's Kiss, Under Siege, Pink Cadillac, Nightflyers, and Ghoulies.