Basic Information
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Michael Robert Cannata Jr. (often credited as Michael Cannata) |
| Date of Birth | March 18, 1957 |
| Occupation | Producer, Production Professional, Representative |
| Known For | Production work in television/film; son and later representative of actress Doris Roberts |
| Parents | Doris Roberts (mother); Michael Cannata Sr. (father) |
| Spouse | Jane A. Jasper (m. October 5, 1985) |
| Children | Kelsey Cannata, Andrew Cannata, Devon Cannata |
| Maternal Grandparents | Ann (née Meltzer), Larry Green |
| Maternal Stepfather (to his mother) | Chester H. Roberts |
| Years Active | 1980s–2010s (documented credits) |
| Notable Milestones | Confirmed Doris Roberts’ passing in April 2016; credited on TV and film projects across multiple decades |
Origins and Early Life
Michael Cannata Jr. was born on March 18, 1957, the only child of award-winning actress Doris Roberts and her first husband, Michael Cannata Sr. His early years unfolded alongside a mother steadily building a formidable acting career on stage and screen, and a family life that would evolve as Doris later married writer William Goyen in 1963. On the maternal side, his roots trace through Ann Meltzer and Larry Green—names that appear in biographies of Doris and illuminate a family story touched by both struggle and tenacity.
That heritage quietly mapped a path: Michael Jr. did not become a marquee performer, but he found a home in the engine room of entertainment—production—where steadiness and problem-solving often matter more than spotlight. From the start, his orbit was within the medium that made his mother famous, yet his trajectory remained distinctly behind the scenes.
Career in Production and Representation
Cannata’s credits stretch from the 1980s to the 2010s, with work tied to television and made-for-TV films. Notable entries include the 1984 sitcom era (Brothers), late-1990s game show production environments (Hollywood Squares), and the 2010 holiday film wave (Call Me Mrs. Miracle). Whether titled as producer or working within production staff ranks, his contributions reflect a craftsman’s role: coordinating teams, keeping schedules, and shepherding segments or films from pre-production through delivery.
In later years, he was also publicly referenced as Doris Roberts’ representative. That dual vantage point—production professional and family confidant—positioned him as both facilitator and guardian of his mother’s work and public commitments. For many in the industry, such roles are a braid of logistics, diplomacy, and trust. It is fitting that the son of an iconic performer helped manage the practicalities that allowed her artistry to shine.
Family and Relationships
Michael Cannata Jr. married Jane A. Jasper on October 5, 1985. Together they have three children—Kelsey, Andrew, and Devon—who are frequently cited in public remembrances of Doris Roberts as her grandchildren. The family’s public footprint remains measured, reflecting a preference for privacy coupled with the occasional news mention when tributes to Doris bring the family story into view.
His mother’s second marriage to William Goyen (1963–1983) and her early family history—including maternal grandparents Ann and Larry—form part of the extended tapestry. In this family narrative, Michael Jr. stands at the intersection: the child of a widely known performer who nonetheless crafted his own path on the operational side of the industry.
Selected Credits and Roles
| Year | Project | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Brothers (TV) | Production/crew contribution |
| 1998 | Hollywood Squares (TV) | Production/crew contribution |
| 2010 | Call Me Mrs. Miracle (TV film) | Producer/production capacity |
These selected entries are representative, not exhaustive. They illustrate a steady presence across genres—from sitcoms to game shows to made-for-TV films—where reliability and coordination are the currency of success.
Public Mentions and Media Footprint
Cannata is most frequently mentioned in connection with coverage of his mother. In April 2016, he confirmed Doris Roberts’ passing, offering the kind of family statement that becomes part of public record when loved ones are widely known. News outlets and tributes routinely identified him as her son, and often referenced his behind-the-scenes role in helping manage her public appearances and engagements.
Beyond those moments, his media presence is modest. Video segments and tribute packages about Doris sometimes quote or reference him; however, there is no substantial body of high-profile interviews or personal long-form appearances that recenter the spotlight on him. The portrait that emerges is of a professional who did the work and kept the volume low.
Timeline of Notable Milestones
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| March 18, 1957 | Birth of Michael Cannata Jr. |
| 1956–1962 | Marriage and divorce of Doris Roberts and Michael Cannata Sr.; Michael Jr. is their only child |
| 1963 | Doris Roberts marries writer William Goyen |
| 1984 | Credited on the TV series Brothers |
| October 5, 1985 | Marriage to Jane A. Jasper |
| 1998 | Production involvement on Hollywood Squares |
| 2010 | Producer/production credit on Call Me Mrs. Miracle |
| April 2016 | Publicly confirms the death of his mother, Doris Roberts |
This timeline captures the anchors of a life joined to television history: a childhood alongside an ascendant performer, a professional path through production fields, and a family role that eventually intersected with national tributes.
What Is and Isn’t Public
Some aspects of Cannata’s life are well documented—his family connections, a handful of credits, and his role during major family milestones. Other details are sparse by design. There is no widely verified, authoritative public estimate of his personal net worth. Social media accounts bearing his name exist in various forms, but few can be conclusively tied to him and most maintain a very small footprint. What remains clear is his preference for professional substance over public spectacle.
The Family Lens: Doris Roberts and Beyond
To understand Cannata’s story is to see the industry from the wings. Doris Roberts’ celebrated career—punctuated by multiple Emmys—created a halo of attention, but the family nucleus also cultivated boundaries. Cannata’s work in production and in family representation exemplifies those guardrails: keep things humming, keep the focus where it belongs, and step into full view only when the moment requires.
The result is a portrait of a working professional and a son—someone who translated the rhythms of sets and schedules into a career, and the responsibilities of family into steady leadership when it counted. In a business that often prizes the loudest voice, his is a steady drumbeat in the background.
FAQ
Who is Michael Cannata Jr.?
He is a television and film production professional known as the son of actress Doris Roberts.
What is his connection to Doris Roberts?
He is her only child and later served as her representative in public and professional matters.
What are his known credits?
Documented production and producer roles include Brothers (1984), Hollywood Squares (1998), and Call Me Mrs. Miracle (2010).
Is he primarily an actor?
No, his career is rooted in production and behind-the-scenes roles rather than acting.
Is he married?
Yes, he married Jane A. Jasper on October 5, 1985.
Does he have children?
Yes—Kelsey, Andrew, and Devon.
Did he speak publicly about Doris Roberts’ passing?
Yes, in April 2016 he confirmed her passing and was cited in news coverage.
Is his net worth publicly known?
No reliable, authoritative public estimate is available.
Is he active on social media?
If present, his social media footprint is small and not widely verified.
What best describes his career path?
A steady, behind-the-scenes production career supplemented by representing his mother in later years.
