Education
New York University; Yale University. New York University School of Law.
director screenwriter film producer
New York University; Yale University. New York University School of Law.
With Lloyd Kaufman, the two are the co-founders of Troma Entertainment, the world"s longest running independent film studio, known for their comedic horror films, including the cult favorite Toxic Avenger"" series and Tromeo and Juliet. Herz and Kaufman first met when both of them were attending Yale University. Initially, the two didn"t get along.
Kaufman has stated that the only reason the two hung out with each other was that Herz owned a pinball machine and Kaufman was the only person in their dormitory who owned a television
Regardless, he was cast in a small part in Kaufman"s first feature film, The Girl Who Returned. After graduating from Yale, Herz went on to study law at New York University.
Although he was quite adept at the subject, he secretly harbored a desire to become a screenwriter. Impressed, Herz contacted Kaufman and was hired for the production of the 1973 film Sugar Cookies.
In 1974, Kaufman and Herz formed Troma Entertainment.
Together, they co-directed and co-produced all of Troma"s movies from 1983"s to 1991"s, when Herz relinquished control of the director"s chair to focus on the business end of Troma Studios. Herz is notoriously publicity-shy, allowing the more charismatic Kaufman to be the public face of Troma. Apart from brief appearances in the Class of Nuke "Econometrica High series, Herz has remained behind the camera.
Whenever a Troma promotional video calls for an appearance by Herz or when Kaufman"s not available, the character of "Michael Herz" is played by Troma"s iconic 500-pound actor Joe Fleishaker (in real life, Herz is rather physically fit).