Michael Aaron Gallagher
As a professional journalist, Michael Aaron Gallagher has interviewed hundreds of people, including some of the top movie stars, recording artists and celebrities. His exclusive celebrity interviews have been featured in newspapers, award-winning magazines and online media outlets.
The “Bailey sisters,” actresses Karolyn Grimes (who played Zuzu) and Carol Coombs Mueller (who played Janie) in the classic 1946 holiday film, It’s a Wonderful Life.
Michael’s first celebrity interview was in 2008, over the telephone with Jurassic Park star Ariana Richards, who played Lex Murphy in Steven Spielberg‘s big screen adaptation of the Michael Crichton book by the same name. Although he had no previous experience interviewing movie stars, she graciously took the time to answer his questions, which helped him build the confidence to continue pursuing his passion of being an entertainment news reporter.
In 2010, when he was asked about his work Michael said, “Every time I do a new interview I think to myself, ‘This is the best interview, ever!’ I just really enjoy hearing how people respond to my questions. I try to ask celebrities questions that they haven’t been asked before and focus on the positive things they do. It always turns out better than I expected, and I usually learn something from them too.”
From press conferences and conference calls, to private sit-down meetings, late night voicemails and video chats around the world, the conversations were always entertaining and the moments were unforgettable.
Some of Michael Aaron Gallagher‘s most prominent celebrity interviews in television and film over the years include the following:
Actors
AnnaSophia Robb
(Soul Surfer)
Dylan McDermott
(American Horror Story)
Photo by Robert Zuckerman/FX
Judy Greer
(Archer)
Most Interviewed Actress (3 Times)
Photo Courtesy of FX
Danny DeVito
(It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia)
Photo by Patrick McElhenney/FX
Elijah Wood
(Wilfred)
Most Interviewed Actor (4 times)
Photo by Frank Ockenfels/FX
Jimmy Smits
(Sons of Anarchy)
Photo by Prashant Gupta/FX
Colin Hanks
(Fargo)
Photo by Matthias Clamer/FX
Queen Latifah
(Steel Magnolias)
Jason Alexander
(Seinfeld)
Photo by Michael Aaron Gallagher
Walton Goggins
(Justified)
Interviewed 2 Times
Photo by Frank Micelotta
George Lopez
(Saint George)
Photo by Matthias Clamer/FX
Jason Biggs
(Mad Love)
Sarah Chalke
(Mad Love)
Photo by Sonja Fleming/CBS
Brad Garrett
(Everybody Loves Raymond)
Kevin Sorbo
(Hercules)
Maurice Benard
(General Hospital)
Jamie Lynn Sigler
( The Sopranos)
Drea de Matteo
(The Sopranos)
Photo by Prashant Gupta/FX
Vincent Pastore
(The Sopranos)
Emmanuelle Chriqui
(HBO’s Entourage)
Timothy Olyphant
(Justified)
Photo by Mark Seliger/FX
Louis CK
(Louie)
Natalie Zea
(Justified)
Desmin Borges
(You’re the Worst)
Margaret Cho
(Drop Dead Diva)
Daniel Gillies
(The Vampire Diaries)
Kristen Renton
(Sons of Anarchy)
Aisha Tyler
(Ghost Whisperer)
Photo Courtesy of FX
Winter Ave Zoli
(Sons of Anarchy)
Mike Farrell
(M*A*S*H)
Debby Ryan
(What If…)
Elisha Cuthbert
(The Girl Next Door)
Audrey Whitby
(Disney Channel’s So Random!)
Nicole Gale Anderson
Interviewed 2 Times
(Mean Girls 2)
Gracie Dzienny
(Nickelodeon’s Supah Ninjas)
Rachel Nichols
(Continuum)
Chloë Sevigny
(American Horror Story)
Photo by Brian Dowling/PictureGroup/FX
Kether Donohue
(You’re the Worst)
Photo Courtesy of FOX
Victoria Justice
(Nickelodeon’s Victorious)
Ashley Tisdale
(Sons of Anarchy)
Photo by Prashant Gupta/FX
Alyson Stoner
(Disney Channel’s Phineas and Ferb)
Ainsley Bailey
(Disney Channel’s Shake It Up)
Angelique Rivera
(American Crime)
Chelsea Kane
(Baby Daddy)
Isabella Palmieri
(As the World Turns)
Zach Sale
(Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor)
Taylor Blackwell
(Dolphin Tale 2)
Mimi Kirkland
(The Walking Dead)
Merit Leighton
(A Tiger’s Tale)
Daniela Bobadilla
(Anger Management)
Mekenna Melvin
(Chuck)
Jared Kusnitz
(MTV’s Underemployed)
Rockmond Dunbar
(Prison Break)
Photo by Prashant Gupta/FX
Charlene Amoia
(American Reunion)
Crystal Garrett
(Drop Dead Diva)
Craig Hurley
Actor/director
(Author of 27 and All Washed Up)
Barbara Hershey
(Black Swan)
Chelsey Valentine
(American Horror Story: Asylum)
Franka Potente
(The Bourne Identity)
Photo by Byron Cohen/FX
Lizzie Brochere
(American Horror Story: Asylum)
Photo by Michael Becker/FX
H. Jon Benjamin
(Archer)
Noah Emmerich
(The Americans)
Photo by Craig Blankenhorn/FX
Aya Cash
(You’re the Worst)
Photo by Byron Cohen/FX
Chris Geere
(You’re the Worst)
Photo by Prashant Gupta/FX
Savannah Lathem
(California Solo)
Adam Irigoyen
(Disney Channel’s Shake It Up)
Autumn Wendel
(Nickelodeon’s Every Witch Way)
Jackson Brundage
(One Tree Hill)
Tristan Pasterick
(Cartoon Network’s Incredible Crew)
Kelli Berglund
(Disney XD’s Lab Rats)
Barry Floyd
(The Game)
Keegan Allen
(Pretty Little Liars)
Evan Hofer
(Disney XD’s Kickin’ It)
Jet Jurgensmeyer
(Last Man Standing)
Noah Lomax
(Playing For Keeps)
Philip Martin
(Phil Spector)
Carol Coombs-Mueller
Janie Bailey
(It’s a Wonderful Life)
Karolyn Grimes
Zuzu Bailey
(It’s a Wonderful Life)
Pleasant Wayne
Alon Aboutboul
(The Dark Knight Rises)
Photo by Michael Aaron Gallagher
John Ratzenberger
(Cheers)
Photo by Matthias Clamer/FX
Jade Pettyjohn
(American Girl: McKenna Shoots for the Stars)
Mandalynn Carlson
(Grey’s Anatomy)
Jaidan Jiron
(New Girl)
Tom Jordan
As the Bell Rings
Disney Channel’s Australian Version
Callie Thorne
(Rescue Me)
Ally Walker
(Profiler)
Carrie Manolakos
(Broadway’s Mamma Mia)
Flora Spencer-Longhurst
(The Bastard Executioner)
Photo Courtesy of FX
Lee Garlington
Original Lead in Seinfeld
Diane Kruger
(The Bridge)
Photo by Frank Ockenfels/FX
Christopher Douglas Reed
(Sons of Anarchy)
Holt McCallany
(Lights Out)
Ariana Richards
(Jurassic Park)
Austin Butler
(Life Unexpected)
Bokeem Woodbine
(Fargo)
Doug Brochu
(Disney Channel’s Sonny with a Chance)
James Maslow
(Nickelodeon’s Big Time Rush)
Shaun O’Rourke
(Port City)
Mehcad Brooks
(Necessary Roughness)
Photo by Justin Stephens/USA Network
Recording Artists
Pat Monahan
Lead Singer of Train
Sara Bareilles
The Sing-Off
Lance Bass
(*NSYNC)
Kellie Pickler
American Idol
Photo by Michael Aaron Gallagher
Kenny G
Photo by Michael Aaron Gallagher
Trace Adkins
David Nail
Jake Owen
Jennifer Nettles
Of the Country Music Duo Sugarland
Sunny Sweeney
Clay Aiken
Multi-Platinum Recording Artist
Gavin DeGraw
Joshua Scott Jones
Of the Country Music Duo
Steel Magnolia
Meghan Linsey
Of the Country Music Duo
Steel Magnolia
Kimberly Perry
Of The Band Perry
Taj Farrant
Brandon Hudson
Savannah Hudson
Estani Frizzell
Olivia Cella
Mitchel Musso
Disney Channel’s Hannah Montana
Photo by Michael Aaron Gallagher
Patrick Doyle
Academy Award-Nominated Composer
(Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire)
Charlie Wilson
Sara Skinner
Harry Wayne Casey
Lead Singer of
KC & the Sunshine Band
Rich Williams
Of the Classic Rock Band Kansas
Photo by Michael Aaron Gallagher
Jordan JAE
Maddi Jane
Tiffany Alvord
Brandy Norwood
(Drop Dead Diva)
Television Hosts
Mark Cuban
(Billionaire owner of the Dallas Mavericks and star of Shark Tank)
Ted Koppel
(Legendary news anchor of Nightline)
Samantha Harris
(Entertainment Tonight)
Jerry Springer
Legendary TV Host
(1944-2023)
Lenay Dunn
Most Interviewed TV Host (2 Times)
(MTV’s 10 on Top)
Curtis Stone
(Celebrity Chef – Top Chef Masters)
Jake Sasseville
(Late Night Republic)
Chelsea Briggs
(Hollywire TV)
Carly Steel
(Entertainment Tonight)
Fashion
Kelly Cutrone
(Fashion Publicist & MTV star)
Photo Courtesy of Massimo Campagna
Mary-Kate Olsen
Fashion Icon
Former Star of Full House
Photo Courtesy ABC TV
Ashley Olsen
Fashion Icon
Former Star of Full House
Photo Courtesy of ABC TV
Louise Roe
Fashion Stylist
Host of The CW’s Plain Jane
Models
Kylie Bisutti
(Victoria’s Secret Model)
Morgan Cryer
Mercedes Yvette
(America’s Next Top Model)
Trew Mullen
(Blink Twice Movie)
YouTubers
Lia Marie Johnson
Interviewed 2 Times
(Finding Cody)
Jordyn Jones
(Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition)
Kaitlin Stauffer
Writer/Director for Mila & Emma
Jenn McAllister
JennXPenn
Teala Dunn
(Enchanted)
Alexis G Zall
Alex Goyette
(Awesomeness TV)
Selena Caltabiano
(Australia’s Neighbors)
Meaghan Dowling
(Awesomeness TV’s IMO)
Michael Chamberlain
Plein Air Oil Painter
(Father of YouTuber Emma Chamberlain)
Writers, Directors & Producers
Jeff Schaffer
Writer/Director
(Curb Your Enthusiasm)
Photo by Michael Becker/FMC
Neil Meron
Executive Producer
(Steel Magnolias)
Peter Tolan
Executive Producer
(Analyze This)
Jackie Marcus Schaffer
Writer/Producer
(The League)
Photo by Michael Becker/FMC
Carlton Cuse
Executive Producer
(Lost)
Photo by Michael Underwood/PictureGroup
Glenn Howerton
Executive Producer/Writer
(It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia)
Photo by Joey L./FX
Rob McElhenney
Creator/Executive Producer/Writer
(It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia)
Photo by Joey L./FX
Jason Gann
Actor/Co-Creator
(Wilfred)
Photo courtesy of FX
Josh Berman
Executive Producer/Creator/Writer
(Drop Dead Diva)
Dallas Jenkins
Director
(The Chosen)
Not Pictured: Katie Barberi (Nickelodeon’s Every Witch Way), Thomas Kasp (Space Warriors), Bianca D’Ambrosio and Chiara D’Ambrosio (The Young and the Restless), Jailen Bates (Nickelodeon’s WITS Academy), Lotte Flack (Pope Joan), Blues Traveler (Tad Kinchla), STYX (Chuck Panozzo, James “JY” Young and Ricky Phillips), There for Tomorrow (Maike Maile), Boy band Mindless Behavior, Little Big Town (Phillip Sweet), The Band Perry (Reid Perry & Neil Perry), Justin Moore, Chris Young, Aviella Winder, Landon Austin, Katie Stauffer (mother of Mila, Emma and Kaitlin), Kelly Hyland (Dance Moms), Dancer Paige Hyland (Dance Moms), Kelly Jones (Jordyn’s Mom), Director and producer Dani Menkin (J’taime, I Love You Terminal), Director Geo Santini (Hotel California), Executive producer/showrunner Warren Leight (Lights Out), Writer/director Paul Leyden (Cleaners), Show creator David Caspe (Happy Endings), Executive producer Dominic Ianno (Soul Surfer), Acclaimed children’s author Bruce Coville, NY Times Best-Selling author Laurie Halse Anderson, Screenwriter Christine Conradt (Summer’s Moon), Novelist/screenwriter Allison Burnett (Resurrecting the Champ), and Rani Bleier (Israeli TV Academy Award-winning director Screenwriter and head of the Israeli Directors Guild).
Michael’s questions have also been answered in online Q&A’s with the following celebrities:
Rachel Bilson
(Hart of Dixie)
Ali Larter
(Heroes)
Julianne Hough
(Dancing with the Stars)
Sofia Vergara
(Modern Family)
Whitney Port
(The Hills)
Kat Graham
(The Vampire Diaries)
Miranda Cosgrove
(iCarly)
Perez Hilton
Celebrity Blogger
He has also composed the interview questions for interviews (conducted by other people) with the following:
Samantha Brown
Travel Channel Host
Siobhan Fallon Hogan
(Forest Gump)
Mimi Kennedy
(CBS’s Mom)
Mary McDonnell
(TNT’s Major Crimes)
Photo by Darren Michaels/TNT
Megyn Kelly
Media Personality
Anne Burrell
Celebrity Chef
(The Food Network)
In Memoriam
The following is a list of celebrities Michael has interviewed, who have sadly passed away:
Craig Zadan
(1949-2018)
Executive producer/writer/director
Joanne Shenandoah
(1958-2021)
Grammy Award-Winning
Native American Singer
Photo by Michael Aaron Gallagher
Athena Baumeister
(1997-2014)
Actress
Elmore Leonard
(1925-2013)
New York Times Best-Selling Author/Executive Producer
Photo courtesy of FX
Jerry Springer
(1944-2023)
Photo by Michael Aaron Gallagher