Michael Roark was born and raised in Schaumburg, Illinois. He has Irish, Sicilian and German ancestry. He was involved in athletics growing up and began acting in the college of theater at Illinois State University. Roark attended law school and became a licensed attorney while continuing his career. He performed in several theater productions before moving from stage to screen. Roark is known for starring roles in Bennett's War (2019), Driven (2021) and Alabama Dirt (2017). He made his film debut in Dolphin Tale (2011). He has had regular and recurring roles in several television series including Beauty and the Beast (2012), Sleepy Hollow (2013), Finding Carter (2014) and The Young and the Restless (1973) and guest-starred in numerous series including Banshee (2013), Grey's Anatomy (2005) and 9-1-1 (2018).