You probably know the name Kendrick from the Pitch Perfect riffs or that dry, sarcastic wit that Anna Kendrick has basically trademarked at this point. But if you dig into the credits of some early 2000s indie dramas, or look closely at the guest lists of paranormal reality shows, you'll find another name: Michael Cooke Kendrick.
He’s the older brother. The one who was actually in the industry first.
While Anna was becoming a household name, Michael was navigating his own path through Hollywood, theater, and the strange world of celebrity ghost stories. Honestly, it’s one of those classic sibling dynamics where the older brother paves the way, only for the younger sister to blast past into the stratosphere. But Michael’s story isn't just a footnote. It's a look at what happens when you’re talented, working, and related to a superstar—while still being your own person.
The Early Days in Portland
Michael Cooke Kendrick was born on March 2, 1983. That makes him about two years older than Anna. They grew up in Portland, Maine, in a house that sounds pretty grounded. Their mom, Janice, was an accountant, and their dad, William, was a history teacher. Not exactly the typical "stage parent" background you’d expect for two kids who ended up in professional acting.
They went to Deering High School. If you’ve ever been to Maine, you know it’s a beautiful place, but it isn't exactly a bustling hub for film production. Despite that, both Kendrick kids caught the acting bug early. Michael was the pioneer here. He was the one heading into community theater and showing that a kid from Portland could actually make a go of it.
Michael Cooke Kendrick: The "First" Actor in the Family
By the time 2000 rolled around, Michael landed a role that felt like a huge break. He was cast in the drama film Looking for an Echo.
Basically, the movie is about a lead singer of a 1960s "doo-wop" group (played by Armand Assante) who is struggling with the reality of his life years after his brush with fame. Michael played the character Vic, and he actually got decent screen time. He was 17. At that same moment, Anna was still mostly known for her Tony-nominated theater work in High Society, but she hadn't quite broken into the film world yet.
For a minute there, it really looked like Michael was going to be the big movie star of the family.
He had the look—roughly 5'5", similar to his sister, with a classic, approachable energy. But Hollywood is a weird place. While Looking for an Echo was a solid film, it didn't ignite a massive leading-man career for him.
Credits and Reality TV
After that initial splash, Michael’s career took a bit of a turn toward the "unscripted" side of things. If you're a fan of those niche cable shows that explore the supernatural or high-stress situations, you might have spotted him. He’s appeared in:
- Celebrity Ghost Stories
- Celebrity Close Calls
These aren't exactly The Revenant, but they show a working actor staying in the mix. In Celebrity Ghost Stories, he shared personal accounts of paranormal encounters, which—let’s be real—is a staple for actors who have been around the block in the NYC and LA scenes.
The Bond Between Michael and Anna
People always want to know if there’s a rivalry. You’ve got one sibling winning Oscar nominations and another doing guest spots. But everything we know points to them being incredibly close.
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When Anna was just a kid—around 12 years old—her parents would put her and Michael on a bus from Portland to New York City so she could audition for Broadway roles. Michael was the "chaperone" in many ways. Imagine two kids from Maine, sitting on a Greyhound bus for hours, just hoping for a shot at a play. That kind of shared struggle builds a bond that a lopsided level of fame usually can’t break.
Anna has mentioned him in interviews, usually with a mix of that signature Kendrick sarcasm and genuine affection. They share a similar sense of humor—dry, a bit self-deprecating, and very "New England."
Why We Don't See Him More
It’s a fair question. Why didn't he follow the same trajectory?
Some of it is luck. Some of it is timing. Some of it is just the reality of the industry. Michael seemed to find a comfortable lane that didn't require being on a tabloid cover every week. While Anna was filming Twilight and Up in the Air, Michael was living a more low-profile life.
There's also the "Cooke" in his name. Janice Cooke, their mother, provided that middle name, and it’s a common way for actors to distinguish themselves if there’s already a "Michael Kendrick" in the Screen Actors Guild. It gives him a bit of his own identity.
What’s He Doing Now?
As of 2026, Michael has mostly stepped back from the relentless "audition-to-audition" lifestyle that defines early-career actors. He’s often seen supporting Anna at various events, and he maintains a presence in the creative community, even if he isn't fronting a Netflix series right now.
He’s the guy who remembers what it was like before the red carpets. He’s the connection to Portland and those long bus rides to Port Authority.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you’re interested in following the career of someone like Michael Cooke Kendrick, or if you're an aspiring actor yourself, there are a few things to take away from his journey:
- Check out "Looking for an Echo": If you want to see his actual acting chops, find this movie. It’s a great example of early 2000s indie filmmaking and shows a different side of the Kendrick family talent.
- Don't ignore the "older" credits: Often, the siblings of stars have fascinating early work that gets buried by their sibling's later success. Exploring those can give you a better picture of the family's artistic roots.
- Watch for him in the background: Michael often stays out of the limelight, but he’s frequently mentioned in Anna’s long-form interviews or her book, Scrappy Little Nobody. Reading her perspective on their childhood gives a lot of context to who he is.
Michael Cooke Kendrick might not be the one on the movie poster these days, but in the story of the Kendrick family, he was the one who started the engine. Without that older brother willing to hop on a bus to New York, the world might never have heard of a Kendrick at all.
To get the full picture of Michael's early work, look for archival clips of his appearances on Celebrity Ghost Stories, which offer a rare, long-form look at his personality outside of a scripted character. You can also track his early filmography through independent film databases to see how the Portland acting scene influenced his style.