Known for Directing
Michael A. Goorjian (born February 4, 1971; San Francisco) is an American filmmaker, writer and actor. Goorjian won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Special for his role as David Goodson in the television film David's Mother (1994). He is also known for his role as Justin, Neve Campbell’s love interest on the series Party of Five (1994–2000), as well as Heroin Bob in the film SLC Punk! (1998) and its sequel, Punk's Dead (2016). As a director, Goorjian achieved recognition for his first major independent film, Illusion (2004), which he wrote, directed and starred in alongside Hollywood legend Kirk Douglas. Goorjian was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. His father, Peter, is Armenian, with his paternal grandparents being survivors of the Armenian genocide; his mother, Sarah, is of Scottish-American descent. Goorjian grew up in Oakland, California, and attended Bishop O'Dowd High School, which had a strong drama program. At the age of 14, he decided to audition for a local theatre company, thinking it was a ‘cool way’ to skip class; after successfully landing the lead role in a 'not-so-cool' play called Computer Crazy, Goorjian soon found out that the rest of the cast were all senior citizens and that he would have to perform the play at his own junior high school. Despite this seemingly rather humiliating experience, Goorjian stuck with acting, eventually training at UCLA’s School of Theatre, Film and Television. Goorjian’s first big Hollywood break came as a dancer when, in 1992, he was cast as ‘Skittery’ in the Disney film Newsies (starring Christian Bale and Robert Duvall). What followed were roles in numerous subsequent films, including Chaplin (with Robert Downey Jr.), Forever Young (with Mel Gibson), the Oscar-nominated Leaving Las Vegas, Hard Rain (with Morgan Freeman and Christian Slater), SLC Punk! (with Devon Sawa), The Invisibles (with Portia de Rossi), Broken (with Heather Graham) and Conversations with God. Goorjian made his first real foray into directing with the mock-documentary Oakland Underground, a comedy about an underground occult music scene in Oakland, CA. From there, Goorjian made Illusion with Kirk Douglas, which was released theatrically in 2006 after racking up over a dozen festival awards, including Best Screenplay at The Hampton’s International Film Festival, Best Feature at the Lake Tahoe International Film Festival and The Audience Award at the Sonoma International Film Festival. With Illusion Goorjian was critically lauded for his ability to blend great filmmaking with philosophical depth. Soon after Illusion, Goorjian began collaborating with the publishing company Hay House to produce and direct a number of films including the documentary You Can Heal Your Life (2007), starring metaphysical author and teacher, Louise L. Hay and The Shift, starring author Dr. Wayne Dyer, along with Michael DeLuise and Portia de Rossi. His most recent work with Hay House is an original film anthology called Tales of Everyday Magic, which explores meaningful philosophical ideas through intimate character-driven stories.
Born
February 4, 1971 (age 55)
Birthplace
San Francisco, California, USA
Filmography
60 films, 15 shows


Amerikatsi
2022 · 1h 55m
country: Armenia
In 1948, decades after fleeing Armenia to the US as a child, Charlie returns in the hopes of finding a connection to his roots, but what he finds instead is a country crushed under Soviet rule. After being unjustly imprisoned, Charlie falls into despair, until he discovers that he can see into a nearby apartment from his cell window - the home of a prison guard.
Entanglement
Entanglement
2012 · 54m
country: United States
Xander Berkeley stars as Peter Keller, a man who made the surprising choice to walk away from a high-profile career as a particle physicist involved in the search for the Higgs-Bosson (the God particle) to teach high school physics. Now, far from the confinements of the elite scientific establishment, Keller is free to pursue his controversial interpretations of quantum theory and their relationship to ancient sacred teachings on consciousness. One night, Keller's theories are put to the test when a former student shows up claiming to have had a premonition that something tragic is about to happen to his twin brother who is stationed in Afghanistan. Keller is skeptical, but then realizes that perhaps the proof he has long sought has just fallen into his lap. Xander Berkeley's outstanding performance makes real scientific ideas both accessible and engaging. Inspired by the work of Gregg Braden.
The Magic Hand of Chance
The Magic Hand of Chance
2012 · 51m
country: United States
Filmed in Vienna against the backdrop of a traveling Russian circus, The Magic Hand of Chance, is the true story of a hapless magician whose life is turned around when two clowns trick him into thinking he has been honored by a fictitious magicians' society in America. With every letter of praise, the duped magician throws another party for his comrades (a Soviet custom upon receiving good news). Despite being played for a fool and spending all his meager earnings on vodka and caviar, the magician ultimately wins out, finding both love and the greatest magic of all...belief in himself. World-renowned magician Yevgeniy Voronin invites you into his Circus tent, a world filled with incredible artists, laughter and love -- a visual feast!
Painting the Future
Painting the Future
2012 · 51m
country: United States
On the second floor of a low-income apartment complex lives Jonathan Page, a formerly successful artist who stopped painting after the tragic loss of his eyesight (along with myriad irreplaceable trappings of his former of life). Having established himself as the building's resident curmudgeon, the embittered Jonathan is taken by surprise when Lupe, a 10-year-old girl with unflappable optimism, moves into the apartment next door with her grandparents. As an unlikely friendship blossoms between the two, shocking and painful secrets are revealed about both their lives. Ron Marasco's performance as Jonathan Page is, quite simply, acting at its finest. Tanya Ramero as Lupe will break your heart. Based on the writings of Louise Hay and her contributions to the gay community.


Tales of Everyday Magic
2012 · 51m
country: United States
Filmed in Vienna against the backdrop of a traveling Russian circus, The Magic Hand of Chance is the true story of a clumsy magician whose life is turned around when two clowns trick him into thinking he has received the highest honor by a fictitious Magicians Society in America. Because he starts to believe he is great . . . he ultimately becomes great.
My Greatest Teacher
My Greatest Teacher
2012 · 56m
country: United States
Patrick Fabian stars as Dr. Ryan Kilgore, a man plagued by an uncontrollable temper that stems from being abandoned by his father as a child. Trying too hard to be the father he never had and tormented by feelings of inadequacy, Kilgore's inner rage boils out of control, affecting his wife and son. With his career and marriage on the brink of collapse, Kilgore resolves to find the father he never knew, and make peace with the anger and resentment he has held inside. What he discovers on his quest is the power to turn his life around...the power of forgiveness. Based on the true-life story of best-selling author Dr. Wayne Dyer, this compelling drama explores the transformational power of forgiveness.


The Shift
2009 · 2h
country: United States
From the creators of You Can Heal Your Life: The Movie comes a compelling portrait of three modern lives in need of new direction and new meaning. In his first-ever movie, Wayne Dyer explores the spiritual journey in the second half of life when we long to find the purpose that is our unique contribution to the world. The powerful shift from the ego constructs we are taught early in life by parents and society—which promote an emphasis on achievement and accumulation—are shown in contrast to a life of meaning, focused on serving and giving back. Filmed on coastal California’s spectacular Monterey Peninsula, The Shift captures every person’s mid-life longing for a more purposeful, soul-directed life.


You Can Heal Your Life
2007 · 1h 27m
country: United States
In this film, you meet the woman who wakes up every day and proclaims her love for everyone and everything in her path, the woman who popularized “affirmations,” the woman who shakes hands with presidents, dignitaries, celebrities, and who always has an affectionate hug for fans who run up to her at a public appearance or Hay House event to thank her for “saving my life.” And when she embraces them, she’ll insist, “It wasn’t me. It was you.”
The War Prayer
The War Prayer
2007 · 10m
country: United States
Outraged by American military intervention in the Philippines during the Spanish-American War, Mark Twain wrote a short story called "The War Prayer" in 1905. Harper's Bazaar Magazine rejected the piece, as did Twain's own publisher. Even his family and friends feared it was 'sacrilegious', and the story remained unpublished until 1923...thirteen years after his death. "I don't think the prayer will be published in my time. None but the dead are permitted to tell the truth."
Players' Club
Players' Club
2006 · 10m
country: United States


Illusion
2004 · 1h 46m
country: United States
A once-powerful, but now ailing movie director nears the end of his life. As he awaits death, he slips into a "dream" and is shown three "snippets" of the movie of his son's life. At first suspicious, then curious, and ultimately captivated, he watches his son's growth from mid-teens to mid-thirties as the son pursues his life-long love, Isabelle. The two constants through these snippets are his pursuit of Isabelle and the imagined voice of his father, telling him that he is worthless and unwanted. It is not until the story reaches its conclusion, that the old man discovers the surprising truth about his son and himself.
Call Waiting
Call Waiting
1998 · 12m
country: United States


Oakland Underground
1997 · 1h 35m
country: United States
A documentary filmmaker sets out to reveal the dark underbelly of Oakland, CA. Due to very unexpected discoveries, he and his crew find themselves consumed in a world of contemporary-witchcraft and modern-day black magic.


Blood Drips Heavily on Newsie Square
1991 · 27m
country: United States
Washed up actor Don Knotts shows up on the back lot of Universal Studios in Hollywood, California in hopes of landing a role in the new Disney movie, Newsies. Unfortunately director Kenny Ortega quickly dismisses Mr. Knotts and has him thrown off the lot. Mr. Knotts is quite upset by the turn of events, so decides to go on a killing spree, believing that if he can't have a role in the movie no one can. He knocks off one newsie after the next, each in a different and unique way.