Michael Cusack

Michael R. Cusack (born )https://x.com/nikkinacks/status/1320536030794010624 is an Australian YouTuber, animator, artist, comedian, writer, director, and voice actor. He is best known for his independent cartoons with elements of black comedy and absurd Australian culture, such as Damo and Darren and YOLO, and his eventual work in television animation.
Michael Cusack is the co-creator of Smiling Friends alongside YouTuber Zach Hadel for Adult Swim, creator of YOLO Crystal Fantasy adapted from his characters on YouTube, and the creator of Koala Man for Hulu. He also directed the Australian Rick and Morty parody short Bushworld Adventures which aired in 2018.
==History==
When Michael was 19 years old and becoming interested in filmmaking, he spent several years directing his own feature film titled All Night Gaming which released in 2014.https://www.instagram.com/p/CBjoDJ4hdaz/?hl=en The movie is about a teenage slacker who pulls an all-nighter at an internet café to finish his school assignment due the next morning. Michael worked at Subway in order to fund the project, and most of the film stars his friends and acquaintances.https://youtu.be/jgzJsIDTCns?t=1429
Michael's first cartoon on YouTube was an animation titled Gabe Newell at E3 which humorously depicts the Steam and Valve founder at the event. Michael had no prior animation experience, but found the process much easier in getting quick and funny ideas finalized compared to filmmaking.https://youtu.be/jgzJsIDTCns?t=1502
==Trivia==
*In 2016, the company Cliché Skateboards teamed with Michael to produce Damo and Darren themed skateboard decks which were available for purchase. The brand went defunct in November of the same year.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG4tGBOCrqs
*Michael has collaborated with fellow Australian YouTuber friendlyjordies. Jordan Shanks-Markovina voiced the convenience store owner in the first episode of Koala Man, and the two explored Michael's hometown Wollongong in the 2023 video, "AUSTRALIA'S BEST WORST CITY with Michael Cusack".
*Michael voices Pim, Alan, Mr. Frog, and other roles in Smiling Friends.https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/tv-shows/Smiling-Friends/voice-credits/
*Michael voices the character Mammon in an episode of Vivziepop's YouTube series Helluva Boss. Zach Hadel also makes several appearances.
==References==
Category:Animation YouTubers
Category:Art YouTubers
Category:Comedy YouTubers
Category:Australian YouTubers
Category:Users who joined in 2006