Neil Richard Flynn (born November 13, 1960) is an American actor and comedian, best known for his role as Janitor in the medical sitcom Scrubs. He also currently portrays Mike Heck in the ABC sitcom The Middle.

Biography

Early life

Flynn was born in the south side of Chicago, Illinois and moved to Waukegan, Illinois at an early age. As a student at Waukegan East High School in 1978, he and partner Mike Shklair won an Illinois Individual Events state championship for “Humorous Duet Acting.” After graduating from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, in 1982, Flynn returned to Chicago to pursue an acting career. Flynn participated on the nationally renowned Bradley University Speech Team and was a Sigma Nu there as well.

Career

During his time in Chicago, he acted with the renowned Goodman and Steppenwolf Theaters. Flynn was nominated for a Joseph Jefferson Award (Actor in a Principal Role, for The Ballad of the Sad Cafe, 1986). He also performed at the Improv Olympic and the Second City Comedy Troupe.