Michael Weiner (actor)

Michael Weiner (born 1975 in Los Angeles, California) is an American actor and composer best known for his recurring role as the shy and awkward Kellogg "Cornflake" Lieberbaum on the NBC sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990–1996).^[1] Weiner began his acting career in the early 1990s with guest appearances on television series, including episodes of Parker Lewis Can't Lose (Fox, 1990–1993) and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, as well as a small role in the film Coupe de Ville (1990).^[2][1] Later in his career, he continued acting in projects such as the fantasy series Once Upon a Time (ABC, 2011–2018) and the Disney+ mockumentary High School Musical: The Musical: The Series (2019–2023), while transitioning into composing music for television and film.^[1][3] As a composer, Weiner has collaborated frequently with lyricist Alan Zachary, co-writing the score for the Broadway musical First Date, which premiered at the Longacre Theatre in 2012 starring Zachary Levi and has since seen hundreds of productions worldwide.^[4] Their other notable works include the music and lyrics for the stage adaptation of 17 Again (licensed through Music Theatre International), the world premiere of Secondhand Lions at The 5th Avenue Theatre, and songs featured in films like Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank (2022) and episodes of Once Upon a Time.^[4] Weiner received the 2012 ASCAP Foundation Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award for his contributions to musical theater.^[4] Recent projects include co-writing the score (with Zoe Sarnak) for the Berkeley Repertory Theatre's production of Galileo (world premiere 2024, directed by Michael Mayer), the stage adaptation of 13 Going on 30 (world premiere September 2025 at Manchester Opera House, directed by Andy Fickman), and the stage adaptation of Trading Places (world premiere 2022 at the Alliance Theatre under director Kenny Leon).^[4][5][6][7]

Early life

Childhood and family background

Michael Weiner was born in 1975 in Los Angeles, California.^[1] He grew up in the city during the late 1970s and 1980s.^[1] His parents introduced him to theater early, taking him to see The Music Man with Dick Van Dyke when he was three years old.^[8]

Education and early interests

Michael Weiner grew up in Los Angeles, California, where he attended local schools before pursuing higher education at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he studied history.^[9] Although his formal education was in history, Weiner's early interests leaned toward the creative arts, particularly music and performing.^[9] Weiner began piano lessons at the age of seven, developing a daily practice routine that fostered his passion for composition; by high school, he was creating his own music.^[9] He was largely self-taught in music composition, without attending a formal music conservatory or program.^[9] These early musical pursuits, combined with an interest in acting that began during his childhood and teen years, laid the foundation for his dual careers.^[9]

Acting career

Early television and film roles

Michael Weiner began his acting career in 1989 at the age of 13, with an initial guest spot as Recital Student #3 in the episode "Coda" of The Wonder Years. Later that year, at age 14, he appeared in a minor credited role as Young Buck in the thriller film Relentless, directed by William Lustig.^[10] This appearance portrayed a young version of a character in a story about a serial killer targeting police officers.^[11] The following year, Weiner secured his first credited film role as Young Buddy in Coupe de Ville, a comedy-drama directed by Joe Roth, where he played the childhood counterpart to Patrick Dempsey's character in a narrative about three brothers reuniting for a road trip.^[12] This role highlighted his early versatility in supporting parts within ensemble casts.^[2] Weiner continued with guest spots on popular family-oriented series. He returned to The Wonder Years in 1992 as Dominick in the episode "Sex and Economics," addressing themes of teenage economics and relationships. Additionally, in 1992, he guest-starred as Sixties Jerry in an episode of Parker Lewis Can't Lose, a FOX sitcom known for its zany humor, further establishing his presence in teen comedy formats. These early television roles, spanning 1989 to 1992, showcased Weiner's emerging talent in brief but memorable supporting appearances on network shows.^[13]

Recurring and guest appearances

Michael Weiner gained prominence in his early acting career through a recurring role as the shy, nerdy Kellogg "Cornflake" Lieberbaum on the NBC sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, appearing in six episodes from 1990 to 1992. Portrayed as Will Smith's awkward prep school friend, the character provided comic relief through his timid personality and memorable nickname derived from his first name, contributing to Weiner's establishment as a comedic teen actor during the show's early seasons.^[14] Following his Fresh Prince stint, Weiner made several notable guest appearances on popular 1990s television series, showcasing his versatility in supporting comedic roles. In 1993, he guest-starred as Jason on Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, appearing in a single episode of the ABC sitcom.^[15] Two years later, in 1995, he played Tutor #1 in the Beverly Hills, 90210 episode "Must Be a Guy Thing," adding to his portfolio of teen-oriented drama-comedy parts.^[13] Weiner returned to guest work in 1999 with a two-episode arc as Bruce on Felicity, the WB drama series, where his performance highlighted a shift toward more ensemble-driven narratives.^[16] After a gap in prominent acting credits in the early 2000s, during which he appeared in the short film The Fanatical Teachings of Julian Tau (2000), Weiner made a comeback in the 2010s with recurring appearances in independent and web-based projects. He portrayed Ned in four episodes of the comedy series Then We Got Help! from 2010 to 2011, reuniting with creator Julie Ann Emery in a role that emphasized quirky ensemble dynamics. This period marked a transition from his 1990s comedic teen roles to more varied guest spots in smaller productions, reflecting a career evolution toward selective, character-focused work amid his growing focus on composing. No major awards or widespread critical acclaim were associated with these appearances, though they sustained his presence in television.^[13]

Music career

Composing for film and television

Weiner began transitioning from his acting career to composing in the late 1990s, marking his entry into screen music with the independent film Man of the Century (1999), where he also starred as the lead character Milo. For this project, he composed the original score and co-produced the soundtrack album released by RCA Victor, which featured songs he wrote and performed, including "Only When I Cry" and "We're in Harmony."^[17][18] The album's retro-inspired tracks complemented the film's 1920s aesthetic, blending period influences with contemporary production.^[19] In television, Weiner's composing gained prominence with the musical episode "The Song in Your Heart" from Once Upon a Time (season 6, episode 20, aired May 7, 2017), where he collaborated with Alan Zachary to write several original songs integrated into the storyline.^[20] Key contributions included "Love Doesn't Stand a Chance," performed by cast members Rebecca Mader and Sean Maguire, which advanced the episode's narrative on love and curses within the fairy-tale universe.^[21] This work showcased his ability to craft character-driven musical numbers for episodic fantasy drama. Weiner continued his television contributions as part of the music department for High School Musical: The Musical: The Series (Disney+, 2019–2023), co-writing original songs with Zachary for the mockumentary-style series.^[22] Notably, they penned "I Think I Kinda, You Know," the show's first original track, performed by Olivia Rodrigo as Nini Salazar-Roberts in season 1, episode 6, helping to establish the series' blend of high school drama and musical performance.^[23] The song appeared on the official soundtrack album, released January 10, 2020.^[24] For his screen composing, Weiner earned a 2025 Hollywood Music in Media Award (HMMA) nomination in the Best Original Song – Animated Film category for "Best Time Ever," co-written with Alan Zachary and Jeff Morrow for the Apple TV+ animated special Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical (2025).^[25] This recognition highlights his ongoing impact in family-oriented animated projects.^[26]

Theater and musical contributions

Michael Weiner's most prominent contribution to theater came through his collaboration with composer and lyricist Alan Zachary on the Broadway musical First Date, for which they co-wrote the music and lyrics. The show, with a book by Austin Winsberg, premiered at the Longacre Theatre on August 8, 2013, and ran for 178 performances until January 5, 2014, starring Zachary Levi as the lead and featuring Krysta Rodriguez.^[27] Key songs such as "The Girl for You" and "Bailout Song" highlighted the duo's style of blending upbeat pop-rock influences with humorous, character-driven narratives about modern dating mishaps.^[28] The production received mixed critical reception, with reviewers praising its witty take on blind-date anxieties and refreshing musical flair amid Broadway's larger spectacles, though some noted its formulaic elements and lack of depth.^[29][30] First Date earned a Theatre World Award for Levi but no Tony nominations; however, its international adaptation Cita a Ciegas in Buenos Aires garnered ten nominations across multiple awards in 2016, including Best Musical.^[31] Subsequent regional and touring productions, such as the West Coast debut at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts in 2015 and runs at San Diego Musical Theatre, extended its reach and demonstrated its appeal for contemporary audiences.^[32][33] Weiner and Zachary's theater work extended beyond First Date to other musicals that fused pop sensibilities with storytelling. Their adaptation of Secondhand Lions, based on the 2003 film, featured music and lyrics by the pair with a book by Rupert Holmes and world-premiered at Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre in September 2013, directed by Scott Schwartz, exploring themes of family and adventure through the brothers' tall tales.^[34] In 2022, they contributed music and lyrics to Trading Places, a musical adaptation of the 1983 film with a book by Thomas Lennon, which world-premiered at Atlanta's Alliance Theatre under Kenny Leon's direction; critics noted the score's eclectic tunes supporting the comedy of class-swapping, though the show remains Broadway-bound without a full New York production as of 2025.^[7][35] Earlier in his career, Weiner composed music for the off-Broadway musical Liberty Smith at Ford's Theatre in 2011, a historical comedy about Ellis Island immigrants, with lyrics by Adam Abraham, marking one of his initial forays into original theater scores.^[36] More recently, Weiner and Zachary developed 17 Again, a musical based on the 2009 film with book by Marco Pennette, which underwent readings and labs featuring Broadway talent and released a studio cast recording in 2023; full productions are scheduled for regional theaters starting in 2026.^[37][38] In 2024, Weiner co-wrote music and lyrics with Zoe Sarnak for the original musical Galileo, with book by Danny Strong, which world-premiered at Berkeley Repertory Theatre from May 15 to June 23, directed by Michael Mayer and starring Raúl Esparza, earning acclaim for its rock-infused exploration of truth and power.^[39] Later that year, Weiner and Zachary's adaptation of 13 Going on 30, based on the 2004 film with book by Josh Goldsmith and Cathy Yuspa, world-premiered at Manchester Opera House from September 21 to October 12, 2025, directed by Andy Fickman, blending pop songs with themes of youth and regret; the production is Broadway-bound. Their contributions have impacted musical theater by integrating accessible pop elements with traditional book-musical structures, earning them the 2012 ASCAP Foundation Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award presented by Stephen Schwartz for emerging talent.^[40] This approach, evident in First Date's sold-out off-Broadway run prior to Broadway, has influenced subsequent works in blending relatable, contemporary themes with lively ensemble numbers.^[4]

Filmography

Feature films

Weiner began his feature film career in the late 1980s with small supporting roles in thrillers and comedies. In Relentless (1989), a thriller directed by William Lustig about two Los Angeles detectives pursuing a serial killer who selects victims from a phone book, Weiner portrayed the character Young Buck at age 12.^[41] His next role came in Coupe de Ville (1990), a comedy-drama directed by Joe Roth following three estranged brothers on a cross-country road trip to deliver a vintage car to their father, where he played Young Buddy.^[42] Weiner appeared in All I Want for Christmas (1991), a family comedy directed by Robert Ellis Miller about children's schemes to reunite their divorced parents over the holidays, in the role of Choir.^[43] Weiner appeared in Mr. Saturday Night (1992), a comedy-drama directed by and starring Billy Crystal as an aging comedian reflecting on his life's highs and lows, in the role of Stan at age 18.^[44] In Man of the Century (1999), a screwball comedy directed by Adam Abraham centering on a naive reporter adhering to 1920s chivalric ideals amid modern New York chaos, Weiner acted as Milo while also serving as composer, writing and producing original music and songs for the soundtrack.^[45]

Television roles

Weiner began his television acting career with guest appearances on series in the mid-1980s and early 1990s. His early roles often featured him in supporting or minor characters in family-oriented and teen dramas.^[1] In Cagney & Lacey (1981–1988), Weiner appeared as Boy in hallway in the episode "Different Drummer" (Season 7, Episode 4, 1987).^[46] In The Wonder Years (1988–1993), Weiner appeared as a guest star in two episodes across 1989 and 1992, portraying Recital Student #3 in "Coda" (Season 2, Episode 7, 1989) and Dominick in "Sex and Economics" (Season 6, Episode 4, 1992).^[47][48] These appearances showcased his early work in nostalgic coming-of-age narratives.^[1] Weiner gained more visibility through a recurring role on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990–1996), where he played Kellogg Lieberbaum, a quirky friend of the Banks family, across six episodes from 1990 to 1992.^[49] This role marked one of his most sustained television engagements during the period.^[1] In 1992, he made a guest appearance on Parker Lewis Can't Lose (Fox, 1990–1993) as Sixties Jerry in the episode "Boy Meets Girl II" (Season 2, Episode 19).^[50] In 1993, he made a guest appearance on Hangin' with Mr. Cooper (1992–1997) as Jason in the episode "Private School" (Season 2, Episode 12).^[51] The single-episode stint highlighted his continued presence in 1990s sitcoms.^[1] Weiner's television work in the mid-1990s included a guest role as Tutor #1 on Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990–2000) in 1995, appearing in one episode focused on academic pressures among the teen ensemble.^[52] This brief appearance aligned with the show's exploration of young adult themes.^[1] By 1999, Weiner guest-starred on Felicity (1998–2002) as Bruce in two episodes, contributing to the series' college-life storylines.^[53] His performances added to the show's ensemble of supporting characters navigating personal growth.^[1] In the 2010s, Weiner took on a recurring role as Ned in the web series Then We Got Help! (2009–2011), appearing in four episodes from 2010 to 2011.^[54] This role represented a return to television after a hiatus, in a comedy centered on modern relationships.^[1]

Short films and other works

Weiner's contributions to short films primarily occurred in the early 2000s, showcasing his versatility in acting within independent and comedic projects. In 2000, he appeared in the short film The Fanatical Teachings of Julian Tau, directed by Scot Willingham, where he portrayed the character Hari Krishna in a comedic exploration of cult-like teachings and eccentric personalities.^[1] Four years later, Weiner took on the role of Agent in The Murder of Donovan Slain (2004), a short film written and produced by Erin Cardillo and directed by Jennifer Kushner, which satirizes crime drama tropes through a mock murder investigation.^[55][1] Beyond these acting roles, Weiner has been involved in miscellaneous projects as a composer, though specific short-form credits in this capacity remain limited in public records. No documented voice acting, commercial work, or uncredited appearances in shorts have been widely noted.^[1]