Shared a Spanish villa with John Lennon while they were filming How I Won the War (1967).
Since his divorce from Gabrielle (his former wife), he has admitted to phoning her just to hear her voice. He and Gabrielle are now close friends.
The first Disney film he ever saw Dumbo (1941). Years later, he performed his version of the famous lullaby from the film, "Baby Mine," on the DVD release.
To prepare for the role of Phineas Taylor Barnum (or better known as [error]) in the London production of "Barnum," he took up studying circus training at the Big Apple Circus School in New York City. After further training in preparation for the second run of 'Barnum,' he was awarded a British Amateur Gymnastics Association badge and certificate as a qualified coach.
Was cast for the role of Cornelius Hackl in Hello, Dolly! (1969), by Gene Kelly after auditioning in a 1960s outfit of striped blue pants and a checkered shirt (after changing his clothes numerous times) with a bleeding (from shaving too many times) face and trying to tap dance. Kelly said, "What we are looking for (for Cornelius Hackl) is an attractive idiot. My wife thinks you're attractive, and I think you're an idiot".
When he took up singing seriously again (for the musical "Billy" in 1974) after having left singing to perform in films, he went to singing coach, Ian Adam (who also taught Sarah Brightman, Elaine Paige, Michael Ball, and Sean Connery). At the first meeting, Ian asked Michael to sing something. And when he sang "Danny Boy" Ian remarked that "he was standing underneath a portrait of John McCormack, that hangs in the singing room, and it brought back tremendous memories of how John McCormack sang". After he finished his piece, Ian said, "Well, now I have to tell you. There is a wee bit of work to be done on the top (of his voice), and a wee bit of work, down below. And a little bit in the middle, other than that you have a great voice". And Michael, in reply said, "I am terribly sorry for bothering you and I'll leave now.".
While Michael was singing the song "Please Wake Up" for the film "Once Upon a Forest," he tried really hard not to cry while he was singing because he thought the song, which revolved around his character Cornealius singing to his granddaughter Michelle who is dying, to be very sad.
Won Broadway's 1988 Tony Award as Best Actor (Musical) for "Phantom of the Opera."