In 1994, Michael was one of 14 Guiding Light stars to appear on a special set of phone cards called "The Soap Connection Collection." The cards allowed fans of the show to hear interviews and behind the scenes info provided by the character who appeared on the card.
Before his death, Michael began writing his life story. His wife, Susan, completed the memoir after this death and published Not That Man Anymore in 2005.
In 1992, when Michael lost at the Daytime Emmy Awards, his young daughter, Marika, gave him a note saying, 'I know how much it means to win, but there's always a next time. You're best at being a daddy!'
Michael and his wife, Susan, were married in 1975. The couple met while starring on Broadway in Fiddler on the Roof in 1970. They had two daughters, Helena and Marika, both from Korea.
In 1997, Michael began having noticeable trouble speaking and as a result was fired by Proctor & Gamble, the sponsors of Guiding Light. Fans of the actor did not react well to the news, and became further outraged upon learning of Zaslow's ALS diagnosis.
Whenever Michael learned his Guiding Light character, Roger Thorpe, was going to have a new leading lady, he would introduce them to his wife Susan to insure there were no hard feelings between the "women in his life".
In September 1998, Michael received the Annie Glen Award in recognition of his personal and professional achievements as a role model and advocate for those with ALS and other communication disorders.
When actor Christopher Bernau left Guiding Light in 1988, Michael was asked to replace him as "Alan Spaulding". Michael refused, saying that fans of the show wouldn't believe him as "Alan" after having played "Roger Thorpe" for so many years.
Michael's record at the Daytime Emmy Awards is as follows:
- 1992 Nominee; Lead Actor
- 1993 Nominee; Lead Actor
- 1994 Winner; Lead Actor
- 1995 Nominee; Lead Actor
All were for his work on Guiding Light.
Michael: When I was a kid, I fell in love with all my leading ladies, I didn't know how to separate it. I was raised in the Stanislavski school of acting and thought if I made the separation, I wasn't doing my job.
Michael: I was surprised by how much I like being a father; surprised at what a decent father I am, because I was afraid I wouldn't be able to dump my selfishness.