Actor Michael Landes is perhaps most widely recognized for his portrayal of the aspiring photographer Jimmy Olsen in the beloved superhero series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. Early in his career, Landes made a name for himself with recurring roles on two hit shows—The Wonder Years, a coming-of-age drama, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, the popular sitcom starring Will Smith. His performance as Jimmy Olsen came next, although the role wasn’t brought back for a second season despite the show’s overall success.
Following that, Michael Landes continued to build his resume with guest appearances, supporting roles in films, and repeated roles on a number of short-lived television series. Seeking more creative control, he took on both producing and starring duties in the 1998 romantic film Getting Personal. He later landed a lead role in the paranormal crime series Special Unit 2, playing one of the main detectives. That same year, he appeared in Final Destination 2, a horror sequel with a uniquely dark premise, where he portrayed another law enforcement figure caught in bizarre and eerie situations.
Throughout his career, Landes has also appeared in several other television projects that, while notable, didn’t last long on air—among them the British romantic comedy Love Soup and the wedding-themed drama-comedy The Wedding Bells. He has frequently been cast in psychological thrillers alongside well-known female leads, such as Possession, starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Homecoming, featuring Mischa Barton.
One of the more prominent roles in Michael Landes’ career came in 2011 when he starred in 11-11-11, a horror film directed by Saw franchise alum Darren Lynn Bousman. In the movie, Landes played Samuel, the estranged and deeply religious brother of the film’s protagonist.
Michael Landes has appeared in a variety of films throughout his career, but one of his most acclaimed performances came in the 2020 movie Luxor, which stands out as his highest-rated film to date. On the other hand, his role in Homecoming (2009) received significantly less praise and is regarded as his lowest-rated film. While Michael Landes has certainly had his share of ups and downs in the industry, these two films represent the extremes of his filmography in terms of critical reception.