Mike Binder (born June 21958) is an award-winning American screenwriter, film director and actor.
A native of Detroit, Mike Binder grew up in Birmingham, one of the city's suburbs, and attended Camp Tamakwa, which formed the basis for his 1993 film Indian Summer. Beginning his career as a screenwriter and standup comedian, he had a banner month in March 1990 with the March 9 theatrical premiere of his first screenplay, Coupe de Ville, directed by Joe Roth and co-produced by Mike, and his own HBO One Night Stand special, broadcast the following night, March 10. Binder's own directorial debut was with his second screenplay, 1992's Crossing the Bridge. His standing in the industry further increased with his 20-episode 2001-02 HBO comedy series, The Mind of the Married Man, which he co-wrote, co-directed and starred in as the central character "Micky Barnes". His independently-produced film (Produced by Jack Binder) The Sex Monster won "Best Film" and Binder won "Best Actor" at the 2001 Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen.
Mike Binder wrote and directed three mid-2000s films in which he also played supporting roles. The first, The Upside of Anger, starring Joan Allen and Kevin Costner, premiered at the January 2005 Sundance Film Festival; thirteen months later, Man About Town with Ben Affleck, was first seen at the February 2006 Santa Barbara International Film Festival and, after another thirteen months, Reign Over Me with Adam Sandler, was released in March 2007. The three films were produced by Mike Binder's younger brother, Jack Binder, with whom Mike formed Sunlight Productions.
Grew up in Detroit's suburbs.
Older brother of producer Jack Binder.
Graduated from Birmingham Seaholm High School in 1976.
Wrote a draft of the screenplay for Liar Liar (1997).
