Michael Charles Gosselaar Wanted to Pursue a Career in Show Business – More about Mark-Paul Gosselaar’s Son

From a young age, Michael Charles Gosselaar knew he wanted to follow in his parents' footsteps and pursue a career in the entertainment industry. However, his famous father had a few reservations, given his experiences as a child star.

Michael Charles Gosselaar is the son of actors Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Lisa Ann Russell. Growing up as the son of two actors seemingly rubbed off on the teenager, whose father revealed his son had aspirations of following in his footsteps from a young age.

However, although Michael Charles Gosselaar's father had every intention of supporting his son's dreams, the "Save by the Bell" actor did not want his son to go through the same experiences he did as a child actor.

Michael Charles Gosselaar's Public Appearance with His Famous Dad

Michael was born in 2004 and soon became an older brother after his parents welcomed his sister, Ava Lorenn, in 2006. Michael began making public appearances with his famous dad when he was as young as six.

In 2010, he walked the red carpet at Wadsworth Theater in California's 21st annual "A Time For Heroes" celebrity picnic benefit. He stepped out with his father, stepmother, and sister the following year when he attended the "The Muppets" premiere in Los Angeles.

In 2018, he was all grown up as he was photographed with his dad at the Monster Jam Celebrity Event in Anaheim. In 2020, he attended the Monster Energy Supercross VIP Event in California with his dad, stepmom, and other siblings.

Michael Charles Gosselaar's Father Did Not Want Him to Follow in His Acting Footsteps

In 2016, during an interview when Michael was 12, his father revealed his son had already set his sights on pursuing a career in the entertainment industry. Although Michael was gifted with athletic abilities, he had already decided at a young age that he did not want to be an athlete.

However, Mark-Paul Gosselaar shared that he would be more supportive of his son's decision once he was 18, as the actor did not want his son — or any of his kids, for that matter — to tackle the entertainment industry as a child. Mark Paul said:

"The rejection that you deal with as a kid, I thought it was pretty blunt growing up, like, the reasons for why you didn't get [the role]. They're like, 'Eh, they just didn't like your look.' 'Oh, okay. Yeah, I'll go process that.'"

Michael Charles Gosselaar Has Half-Siblings from His Father's Second Marriage

In 2010, when Michael was six, the news broke of his parent's separation. Michael's mom and dad met on the set of "Saved by the Bell" and had been married for 14 years when they decided to go their separate ways.

Three months after his parents' divorce was settled, it was announced that his father had found love again and was engaged to advertising executive Catriona McGinn.

"He couldn't wait to propose," jeweler and Mark-Paul's friend Neil Lane said. Michael's father and stepmother tied the knot in 2012, and a year later, they welcomed their first child together, a son.

Michael became an older brother for the third time to his second step-sibling in 2015, and his dad took to Twitter to share the news. "So in love with our new baby girl, Lachlyn! Born last night 2/17 Mum and baby are healthy and happy. 2 boys, 2 girls, too perfect!" the actor tweeted.