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Mike Myers Hasn't Been On The Big Screen Because He's Busy Enjoying His Life

Mike Myers Hasn't Been On The Big Screen Because He's Busy Enjoying His Life

He was one of the biggest TV and film stars of the 1980s, 90s and early 2000s, but it seems as though he's dropped off the planet

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

Growing up in the 1980s, 90s and early 2000s, fans couldn't get enough of Canadian movie star Mike Myers. Whether you liked him for his Saturday Night Live characters, Wayne's World, or his later and equally as good roles, Austin Powers and Shrek, there was no denying his comedic brilliance.

But audiences haven't exactly been seeing his name attached to many big-name projects these days, and there are a few reasons why.

Firstly, he's been enjoying some of his interests outside of the film industry, including Dungeons & Dragons, painting, and supporting his beloved Toronto Maple Leafs hockey team and Liverpool Football Club.

PA

After building up a substantial income from his huge movies, the 54-year-old has been lucky to explore more independent films. He made his directorial debut in 2013 with Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon.

The documentary looked into talent manager Shep Gordon, who worked with the likes of Pink Floyd, Blondie and Alice Cooper. It received the award for best documentary at the Sarasota Film Festival and received some pretty favourable reviews from other critics.

He's also had a few commercial flops, including The Love Guru and The Cat in the Hat. The latter was so bad that Dr Seuss' widow, Audrey Geisel, banned any movie studio from making a live-action film from her late husband's iconic books or characters.

But while those two films were bad (oh so very bad), Myers is also incredibly strict with the scripts that he takes on. The actor has received only 15 scripts since 1991 but has turned virtually all of them down.

That's down to him creating his characters like Austin Powers or Wayne Campbell and that takes a lot of time. Speaking to GQ, Myers said: "I write most of what I do and create most of what I do. It takes a long time to write them."

Interestingly, while fans have been dying to see him on something mainstream again, he's actually been hiding in plain sight.

American channel ABC revived the popular amateur contest programme The Gong Show, which was incredibly popular in the 1970s and 80s.

Credit: ABC

It's hosted by 'British comedian' Tommy Maitland - however there was something about the character that audiences couldn't put their finger on.

The Disney-owned broadcaster has only just revealed that Tommy is in fact Myers.

Another reason you don't see the actor much is because he has elected to 'be present' for his kids as they were growing up. He told GQ: "I wanted to just take it in. And it's just been...I mean, it's the happiest time of my life. I had no idea. I knew I would like it, I didn't know I would love it this much."

That's a very decent reason to remain out of the spotlight and the fans will always be there for his next big role. Whether that's along the same comedic lines that we've grown to love, or a more serious route like his Inglorious Bastards character.

Sources: GQ

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Entertainment, TV and Film, Shrek, Celebrity, Mike Myers, Interesting, US Entertainment, Saturday Night Live