Michael J. Lyons

Michael J. Lyons grew up in suburban Philadelphia. At age nine, his family relocated to Paris, where he landed his first acting role, sharing a scene with Hollywood legend Tony Curtis in Paris When It Sizzles, starring Audrey Hepburn. That early spark never left him.

A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Michael built a distinguished business career in senior roles with prestigious multinational organizations, including Carlson Wagonlit Travel and Reed Exhibitions. But even as his corporate career accelerated, he never abandoned his first love. Living near New York City gave him access to auditions, and by the 1990s he was appearing in national commercials and earning roles in films and on TV.

His screen credits include All My Children, The Sixth Sense, House of Cards, Veep, and We Own This City, along with a long-running recurring role on What Would You Do? — the ABC-TV hidden-camera program hosted by his close friend John Quiñones. His acting career — combined with decades of corporate leadership, speaking, and writing — makes him one of the more genuinely multifaceted voices in the marriage and relationship space.

Michael is the author of Set Yourself Free: Daydream It… Believe It… Achieve It! — a practical guide to breaking through limitations and pursuing long-held dreams. In 2020, he launched the Lessons from Leaders podcast, drawing candid insights from CEOs, entrepreneurs, and industry visionaries. Recently, his screenplay Father John earned a Platinum Award in the RFIFF screenplay competition.

Michael and his wife Lorie live in the Philadelphia area. Together they raised three children and have been blessed with seven grandchildren.

He has earned the right to speak about lasting love not from a lectern, but from his own life experience.