Michael Ryan Lobel (born March 7, 1984) is a Canadian editor, director, actor and musician. He is best known for playing the role of Jay Hogart in the teen drama Degrassi: The Next Generation as well as his work as picture editor of the HBO Max series Detention Adventure.
Early life
Lobel was born to parents of Polish and Ashkenazi Jewish descent in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, where he also spent his early years. Lobel is the oldest of two siblings from the same parents. He has an older half-brother; they share the same father.
At a young age he began showing interest in music and visual arts which drew him to Etobicoke School of the Arts.[1] He attended ESA from 1998 to 2003, first majoring in music (he studied percussion) then later switching to drama. While there, he formed several musical groups, including Civilian and the indie rock band Boys Who Say No.[2] It was in his graduating year at ESA that he began working as an actor.
Career
In 2003, Lobel made his film debut in an adaptation of Oliver Twist directed by Jacob Tierney entitled Twist, in which he played a small role as a street thug alongside actor Nick Stahl.
Lobel's most notable performance to date is his portrayal of Jay Hogart, a manipulative school bully on Degrassi: The Next Generation from 2003 to 2010.[3] He maintains that he is nothing like his character in real life. Lobel originally auditioned for the role of Dylan Michalchuk, a complete opposite role of his current, but was instead offered the role of Jay.[4]
From 2011 to 2013, he played the role of DJ on the sitcom Really Me. In 2015, he played the small role of Marc in the Canadian TV movie The Music in Me.[3]
In addition to acting, Lobel co-founded the indie pop band Future Peers in 2014 and has toured with the group across Canada, America, and Europe, playing the synth. The band broke up in 2019.[3]
In 2016 Lobel began working as a picture editor, which led to his involvement in the production of HBO Max's Detention Adventure as an editor and director. Mike has also been an editor and director of several music videos and documentaries.
^Rayner, Ben (June 4, 2006). "Album Matters". Torstar Syndication Services, a Division of Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. ProQuest1348635691. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
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