Skip to main content

Actor Michael York

Award-winning actor Michael York discussed the challenges he faces with the rare disease of Amyloidosis and how he became a spokesperson for this little known ailment at a luncheon at The National Press Club. Amyloidosis occurs when abnormal protein builds up in organs. His attitude and resilience is remarkable. For someone who has appeared next to Liza Minnelli in the cinema version of Cabaret, starred in the all-star Murder on the Orient Express, as d’Artagnan in The Three Musketeers, and an actor who has shared the stage with nearly every show business legend from Laurence Olivier to Elizabeth Taylor, he accepts his role as spokesperson with dignity and hope. He first told us about his disease at the Kennedy Center Honors Brunch several years ago. His most recent film is The Mill and The Cross. His wife Pat is a talented and renowned photographer and his stepson is Star Wars producer Rick McCallum.

Prior to the luncheon, we had a chance to discuss York’s other mission for being in town. It’s called The Medical Musical Group. The MMG brings together doctors, nurses and other volunteers from medical centers, schools and communities all over the US. It’s “Music with a Message” – A message of healing, hope, inspiration, and patriotism at home; and peace and international friendship overseas that serves as goodwill ambassadors for America in over 20 nations. In addition, MMG concerts highlight health causes and performances have been at Carnegie Hall (New York), Kennedy Center and Constitution Hall (Washington, DC), Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall (Alexandria, VA) as well as for the US Congress, the United Nations, and at the White House.

“I just got this email saying would you be involved? It sounded so wonderful, you know,” York told Hollywood on the Potomac. “We owe so much to our veterans, and as a child of World War II, it all made sense. Also, the artistic involvement is a beautiful concert of words and music, so I was thrilled to do it!”