Born in Arizona, he is of British/American descent;living extensively in both the USA and the UK. He trained as an actor at The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. He spent the first eleven years of his professional career in the theatre in Britain. He was a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company from 1972 to 1975. He played the leading man (Donald) in the musical, 'Irene', at London's Adelphi Theatre in 1978. He appeared in the London productions of The Curse Of The Starving Class (Royal Court Theatre), The Red Devil Battery Sign (Phoenix Theatre) and numerous English Repertory Theatres. His film and television work has been primarily in the USA. In 2009 he was awarded the Distinguished Alumnus Award by the College of Fine Arts, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah. Michael Ensign is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Has starred in two unrelated movies where the main characters were named Roger Cobb: 衰鬼上错身 (1984) and 夜半鬼敲门 (1985).
Played a Hotel Manager in two unrelated movies: 迷墙 (1982) and 捉鬼敢死队 (1984).
Has appeared in episodes of every "Star trek" spin-off series except for 2017.
As of 2015, has appeared in three films that were nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: 午夜快车 (1978), 泰坦尼克号 (1997) and 奔腾年代 (2003). Of those, 泰坦尼克号 (1997) is a winner in the category.
Appeared in two Titanic themed movies: 冲出地狱海 (1980) and 泰坦尼克号 (1997).
Originally read for the part of Walter Peck in 捉鬼敢死队 (1984). When 威廉·阿瑟东 got the part instead, Michael Ensign was offered the 'consolation prize' of playing the manager at the Sedgewick Hotel.
