When Michael O'Leary rejoined the cast of the CBS daytime drama GUIDING LIGHT in March 1995, he returned to a popular role: Dr. Rick Bauer. (He had previously played the character from 1983-86 and again from 1987-91.) It was for this role that O'Leary was nominated for a Daytime Emmy in 1987 and is a three-time Soap Opera Digest Award nominee.

Although O'Leary majored in television production at California State University at Fullerton, his career goal was acting. Towards that end, he studied with Stella Adler and Larry Moss in Los Angeles, and with William Esper in New York.

His credits include the recurring role of Dr. Stewart Farmingham on the popular ABC series Doogie Howser, M.D.; Paul in It's A Small World , part of an anthology series produced by David Lynch for HBO; and an episode of Law & Order. He has also appeared in films, on Off-Broadway and in national television commercials.

On stage in Los Angeles, he was featured in Tea & Sympathy , Auntie Mame and in Scars, which he co-wrote and co-starred with Julie Osborne. He began writing plays at the encouragement of acting instructor Moss; his most recent play, Rain, was produced at Los Angeles' Tiffany Theater.

O'Leary and his wife Joni live in New Jersey with their young daughters Kate McKenna (b. 11/26/94) and Caroline Parker (b. 8/9/97). Born in St. Paul, MN, and raised in Diamond Bar, CA, O'Leary often plays golf with good friend and co-star Grant Aleksander. His birthdate is March 27.