You probably know him as Schwoz. That quirky, eccentric genius from Henry Danger and Danger Force with the indiscernible accent and the penchant for weird inventions. But back in 2019, actor Michael D. Cohen shared something much more personal than a character backstory. He revealed that he had transitioned from female to male nearly twenty years prior.
It was a massive moment for Nickelodeon and for Hollywood. Honestly, it's still a conversation that carries a lot of weight today because of how he chose to frame it.
The Transition Nobody Knew About
For a long time, Michael lived what some might call a "stealth" life in the industry. He didn't hide his past out of shame, but because he just wanted to be an actor. Period. He transitioned on April 26, 2000. That’s well before he ever stepped onto the set of a major sitcom.
Imagine that. For two decades, he built a career in an industry that isn’t always kind to "different," all while carrying a history that very few people on set knew about. He worked on shows like Modern Family, 2 Broke Girls, and The Mindy Project. He even did a Coen Brothers movie. All of this happened while he was simply living his life as a man.
Then came 2019. The political climate was shifting, and rights for trans people—especially kids—were becoming a flashpoint in the news. Michael realized he couldn't just sit back. He told Time magazine, "I can’t stay silent. The level of misunderstanding around trans issues is so profound and so destructive."
Why He Doesn't Use the Label "Transgender"
This is where things get interesting and where a lot of people get confused. Even though the world calls him a trans actor, Michael D. Cohen doesn't actually identify as "transgender" in the way you might think.
He identifies as a man.
To him, being trans isn't his identity; it’s his experience. It’s his history. He often says he was "misgendered at birth." He views his journey not as a change of who he is, but as an alignment with his core essence. He’s been very vocal about the fact that he’s always been male. The transition was just the process of making the outside match the inside.
"I have worked so hard to get to the truth," he once explained. He didn't want to take on another label just to make it easier for other people to categorize him. It’s a nuanced take that challenges the way we usually talk about gender in the media.
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Impact on the Nickelodeon Universe
When he came out to the cast and crew of Henry Danger, he wasn't sure what to expect. This is a kids' show, after all. But the response was overwhelmingly supportive. Jace Norman, who played Henry, was a huge ally. Nickelodeon didn't flinch either.
In fact, they leaned into it.
Michael didn't just stop at telling his story. He wanted to open doors. He started the Trans Youth Acting Challenge. The goal was simple: find talented trans and nonbinary kids who wanted to act but didn't know where to start.
This led to a historic moment in the spinoff series Danger Force. Michael co-wrote and directed an episode titled "Manlee Men." It featured the first-ever live-action trans character on Nickelodeon, played by a trans teen actor named Sasha A. Cohen (no relation).
The Career of a Character Actor
It's easy to get focused solely on the "trans" part of his story, but Michael is a powerhouse of a performer first. He’s got a Bachelor’s in Cell Biology and a Master’s in Adult Education. He’s a rock climber and a mountaineer. He’s a director who has helmed multiple episodes of television.
His character, Schwoz, started as a guest role but became so popular he was upped to a series regular. That doesn't happen by accident. It happens because an actor brings a specific kind of magic to the screen. Michael based that iconic accent on an Albanian character he played years earlier, then mixed in some Swedish and Israeli inflections just for fun.
What This Means for You
If you're following this story, it's likely because you care about representation or you're a fan of the shows. Michael’s journey proves that you can be successful and authentic at the same time, even if it takes years to feel safe enough to share your full truth.
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Actionable Insights for Supporting Inclusivity:
- Listen to the Language: Notice how Michael prefers "trans experience" over the "transgender" label. Respecting how individuals define themselves is the first step in being a good ally.
- Support Trans Creators: If you want to see more diverse stories, watch the shows that feature them. Danger Force is a great place to start to see Michael’s work behind the camera.
- Advocate for Youth: Michael’s work with the Trans Youth Acting Challenge shows that mentorship matters. Look for local organizations like The Trevor Project that support LGBTQ+ youth in your area.
- Look Beyond the Label: Remember that Michael is an actor, director, and climber. Don't let one part of someone's history overshadow their entire body of work.
Michael D. Cohen continues to teach at his acting studio in Los Angeles and remains a vocal advocate for "people of trans experience." He’s living proof that your "core essence" is the only thing that truly defines you.
Next Steps to Deepen Your Understanding:
- Watch the "Manlee Men" episode of Danger Force to see how Michael approached trans representation for a younger audience.
- Research the Michael D. Cohen Acting Studio if you're an aspiring performer looking for a mentor who values authenticity.
- Follow GLAAD's media guides to better understand the distinction between gender identity and experience, a topic Michael is deeply passionate about.