Born on February 12, 1950 in Toronto (Ontario, Canada), into a large working-class family.

His mother had 16 brothers and sisters, and almost all of them, along with their families, lived on the same street.

Michael graduated from the Ontario College of Art in Toronto (Canada), where he made his debut as an actor, screenwriter, and director of his first film, "Down Where the Lights Are." Ironside then worked in Canadian television and film.

The actor attracted the attention of the general public after David Cronenberg's science fiction thriller "Scanners," in which Ironside was also a producer. Subsequently, Ironside worked with John Schlesinger ("The Falcon and the Snowman"), Walter Hill ("Extreme Prejudice"), and appeared in Paul Verhoeven's science fiction film "Total Recall."