Michael Bay

Michael Benjamin Bay is an acclaimed American film director and producer, known predominantly for his high-concept action films complete with fast cutting, stylish cinematography, and extensive use of special effects. Born on February 17, 1965, Bay's illustrious career has seen him helm blockbusters such as Bad Boys and its sequel Bad Boys II, The Rock, Armageddon, Pearl Harbor, and the first five films in the Transformers series. His films, recognized for their recurrent portrayal of explosions, have collectively grossed over US$7.8 billion worldwide, making the Californian one of the most commercially successful directors in history.

His co-founded production house, the Institute, and Platinum Dunes - another Bay co-own - have made invaluable contributions to the film industry, including horror film remakes like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Friday the 13th. Bay traces his interest in action films back to his childhood incident, where he once tied firecrackers to a toy train and filmed the ensuing fiery disaster with his mother's 8-millimeter camera. Skipping ahead to his early career, he landed his first step in the film industry by interning with George Lucas at age 15. Over the years, Bay's resume has grown to include the likes of 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi, 6 Underground, and Ambulance.