Michael Gilden (b. September 22, 1962 - d. December 5, 2006) was an American actor with dwarfism (height 4ft 6in or 1.37 m). He lived and worked in Los Angeles.
Gilden performed or did stunt work in a variety of television series and films, including Charmed, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Family Law, Cybill, NCIS (TV series) and Pulp Fiction, and had a role as an Ewok in the film Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. He appeared twice in Season 4 of the hit series NCIS. Gilden was also a stock broker.
He was married to actress and manager Elena Bertagnolli from May 1992 to December 1994. The marriage broke up acrimoniously. In August 1997, he met Meredith Eaton, in an America Online chat room. a_love_story.html" target="_blank">"Dwarfs, A Love Story", by John H. Richardson, _Esquire, February 01, 1998. At the author's site. Retrieved 2007-10-31. She became an actress in 1999. They married on May 20, 2001.
He committed suicide by hanging on December 5, 2006 at age 44 at his Los Angeles residence. Gilden was buried in a private service at Mission Hills, California, on December 10.
Has worked with his wife, Meredith Eaton, on several occasions: once on "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" (2000) on an episode called "A Little Murder" and twice on "Family Law" (1999).
Worked with Mark Povinelli on an episode of "Charmed" (1998) called "Lucky Charmed". His wife, Meredith Eaton, worked with Povinelli on an episode of "Dharma & Greg" (1997) called "Pride & Prejudice".
Michael was a little person, also married to another famous little person, Meredith Eaton. Aside from acting, he was a stockbroker.
Committed suicide by hanging at his Los Angeles residence. Buried in Mission Hills, California.
Made his film debut as an Ewok in the Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983), and did various stunt and appearance work on TV.
Was a recurring actor in the TV series "Family Law" (1999).
Met wife Meredith, a judge's daughter, in a chat room on American Online.
Was previously married to Verne Troyer's manager, ' Elena Bertagnolli' .
Discovered his friend Martin Klebba, and ultimately introduced him into the acting profession.
