Michael Cera was born on June 7, 1988 in Brampton, Ontario, Canada to Linda and Luigi Cera, who both worked for Xerox.24 Cera's mother is from Quebec and has English, Irish, Scottish and Dutch ancestry, while his father is of Italian descent from Sicily.4 During a childhood illness, Cera repeatedly watched the film Ghostbusters, memorizing the dialogue, which sparked his interest in acting.24 He went on to take improvisation classes at The Second City in Toronto.4

Cera's first acting roles came in Canadian commercials, including an unpaid appearance in a Tim Hortons summer camp ad and a Pillsbury spot where he poked the Pillsbury Doughboy and delivered his first on-camera lines.15 In 1999, at age 11, he landed his first major role as Larrabe Hicks on the Canadian children's series I Was a Sixth Grade Alien.13 He also appeared in the TV movies What Katy Did and Switching Goals that same year.15

Michael Cera's role in "Superbad" (2007) as Evan, a high school senior, marked a significant milestone in his career. The film, directed by Greg Mottola and produced by Judd Apatow, follows Evan and his best friend Seth, played by Jonah Hill, as they attempt to procure alcohol for a party in hopes of losing their virginity before graduation3. Cera's portrayal of Evan, a character who is awkward yet endearing, resonated with audiences and showcased his comedic timing and ability to convey vulnerability1. The film's success, grossing over $170 million worldwide, solidified Cera's status as a leading actor in teen comedies and contributed to his rise in Hollywood3. Despite the film's raunchy humor, it also delivered deeper messages about friendship and growing up, further highlighting Cera's range as an actor34.

While Michael Cera is best known for his comedic roles portraying awkward and offbeat characters, he has also demonstrated his versatility as an actor by taking on more dramatic parts. Cera played a supporting role in the 2017 crime drama Molly's Game alongside Jessica Chastain1 and appeared in the 2019 romantic drama Gloria Bell with Julianne Moore.1

In addition to live-action roles, Cera has lent his distinctive voice to several animated projects. He voiced Robin in The Lego Batman Movie in 201712 and played Barry, a deformed sausage, in the adult animated comedy Sausage Party in 2016.12 Cera also provided the voice of Sal Viscuso, the unseen hospital announcer, in the medical drama parody Childrens Hospital.12

By balancing his signature awkward comedy roles with more serious films and voice acting, Cera has showcased his range and avoided being typecast. His willingness to take on diverse and unexpected projects has allowed him to have a varied career in both film and television.14