What Is Michael Charles Gosselaar Doing Now?: All About Mark-Paul Gosselaar’s Son

If you’re a fan of Saved by the Bell, then you already know Mark-Paul Gosselaar — the actor who played Zack Morris, one of the most popular teen characters in TV history. But what many people are now curious about is his real-life family, especially his oldest son, Michael Charles Gosselaar.

Michael was born into fame. His dad is a TV star, and his mom, Lisa Ann Russell, is a former model and actress. Still, Michael has mostly stayed out of the spotlight. So, what is Michael Charles Gosselaar doing now in 2025? Is he following in his dad’s footsteps, or has he chosen a different path?

Let’s find out everything we know so far about his life, his family, and his future.

Michael Charles Gosselaar Quick Bio

When and Where Was Michael Born?

Michael Charles Gosselaar was born on January 31, 2004, in Sterling, Illinois. That means he turned 21 years old this year. While his parents worked in California and Hollywood, Michael’s early years were spent with a mix of calm, private home life and short moments in the public eye.

Even though his dad was a huge TV star by the time Michael was born, they didn’t rush him into the spotlight. Instead, Michael’s childhood was mostly private — something that many celebrity kids don’t get. He had a chance to grow up like any other kid, without the cameras flashing in his face all the time.

Who Are Michael Charles Gosselaar’s Parents?

Michael’s dad, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, is best known for playing Zack Morris in Saved by the Bell. Over the years, Mark-Paul went on to star in other hit shows like NYPD Blue and Franklin & Bash. But beyond acting, Mark-Paul is known as a family man who puts his kids first.

Michael’s mom, Lisa Ann Russell, also worked in the entertainment world. She started as a model and later became an actress. She met Mark-Paul while working in the industry, and the two got married in 1996. Together, they had two kids — Michael and his younger sister, Ava.

Even though Mark-Paul and Lisa are no longer married, they worked hard to raise Michael in a loving and supportive home. They didn’t let fame get in the way of parenting.

What Was Michael’s Childhood Like?

Michael’s childhood was a mix of normal and unique. On one side, his parents made sure he had a quiet and private life. On the other side, his dad was still a well-known TV star. That meant Michael sometimes joined his family at public events, but only when it made sense, not for fame.

Mark-Paul has shared in interviews that they wrote down special moments from the kids’ lives in a journal. From losing a tooth to funny quotes, they captured all the little things that make childhood fun. Michael grew up in a family that valued memories, not media attention.

This kind of parenting helped Michael stay grounded. He didn’t grow up thinking he had to be famous. He just grew up being a regular kid, with a dad who happened to be Zack Morris.

Meet Michael Charles Gosselaar’s Siblings

Michael isn’t an only child. He has one full sister, Ava Lorenn Gosselaar, who was born in 2006. Ava is close in age to Michael, and they shared a lot of their childhood together. While siblings sometimes bicker, they also bonded deeply, especially after their parents’ divorce.

Later, Michael’s dad married Catriona McGinn in 2012. From that marriage, Michael got two younger half-siblings: Dekker Edward, born in 2013, and Lachlyn Hope, born in 2015. Even though they’re younger, Michael seems to enjoy being a big brother to them.

The Gosselaar family is blended, but it works. They go to events together, celebrate birthdays, and show up as a strong, connected family. Michael’s life is full of siblings, support, and family love.

How Did His Parents’ Divorce Affect Him?

Michael was about seven years old when his parents split in 2011. For many kids, divorce can be tough. But in Michael’s case, his parents worked hard to make things smooth.

Both Mark-Paul and Lisa focused on co-parenting. That means they stayed involved in his life equally, even after they moved on from their marriage. Michael didn’t have to choose sides or lose touch with either parent. Instead, he continued to be surrounded by love, stability, and open communication.

In interviews, Mark-Paul said that family always comes first. And it shows. Michael adjusted well to life after the divorce, and he gained new family members through it, too.

What Is Michael Charles Gosselaar Like at Home?

You might expect the son of a TV star to be loud, flashy, or attention-seeking. But that’s not the case with Michael Charles Gosselaar. In fact, he’s the opposite.

People close to the family describe Michael as respectful, quiet, and down-to-earth. He enjoys spending time with his family and doesn’t look for fame. His dad once said that Michael doesn’t even care much about Saved by the Bell, even though fans still love the show.

Michael is someone who values real life more than social media or Hollywood hype. He’s just living like a regular young man — and that makes him even more interesting.

Did Michael Go to a Regular School?

Yes, Michael Charles Gosselaar went to school just like any other kid. His parents didn’t send him to a Hollywood prep school or anything fancy. Instead, they chose regular local schools to give him a normal experience.

Mark-Paul and Lisa always believed in keeping things simple. They didn’t want their son to feel different just because of their fame. That’s why they kept his school life private and never shared much about it in public. Even now, we don’t know exactly where he studied — and that’s on purpose. It was all about protecting his space and helping him grow in peace.

Education was always important in the Gosselaar home. Michael was taught to work hard, stay humble, and take learning seriously.

Is Michael Charles Gosselaar Active on Social Media?

Unlike many celebrity kids, Michael is not on Instagram, not on TikTok, and not active on Twitter. In fact, he has kept a very low profile online.

This might sound surprising in 2025, when almost every young person is on social media. But Michael made a different choice. He doesn’t seem to enjoy the spotlight. He’d rather live a private life than share everything online. His parents also support this — they’ve always encouraged him to stay grounded and not chase fame.

So, if you try searching for Michael Charles Gosselaar on social media, you probably won’t find much. And that’s exactly how he likes it.

Does He Want to Be an Actor Like His Dad?

This is the big question: will Michael follow in his father’s footsteps?

Back in 2016, when Michael was just 12, Mark-Paul shared that his son had shown interest in acting. He wasn’t into sports like some kids, but he was curious about the entertainment world. That made sense — after all, he grew up around cameras, sets, and stories.

But here’s the twist. Mark-Paul didn’t want Michael to start too young. As a former child star himself, he knew how tough that life could be. He once said, “I wouldn’t want him to go through it as a child, but when he becomes 18, he can do whatever he wants.”

Now that Michael Charles Gosselaar is 21, he’s free to make that decision. But as of 2025, he hasn’t stepped into the acting world yet.

Has He Been Seen at Public Events?

Yes, Michael has made a few appearances at public events, but always with his family.

He’s been seen at:

• “A Time for Heroes” charity picnic (2010)

• The Muppets movie premiere (2011)

• Monster Jam and Supercross events (2018 and 2020)

These events weren’t about being a star. They were fun family outings or charity moments. And in every photo, Michael looked happy, relaxed, and close to his siblings and parents.

But after those years, he stepped back again. It’s clear that he’s not chasing fame. He’s just enjoying life in his own way.

What Are Michael Charles Gosselaar’s Hobbies and Interests?

Michael may have grown up around TV sets, but that’s not all there is to him.

His dad once said that Michael has athletic ability but doesn’t want to be an athlete. He also mentioned that Michael likes being active and doing things outdoors. Mark-Paul is a cyclist and a fitness fan, so it’s possible that Michael picked up some of those healthy habits too.

He may also enjoy music, movies, or writing, but he’s kept those parts of his life quiet. Since he stays away from social media, we don’t get many clues. But that’s okay. Not every young person wants to share everything with the world.

What Is Michael Charles Gosselaar Doing Now in 2025?

As of 2025, Michael is living a calm and private life. He hasn’t joined the acting world (yet), and he hasn’t shared any public job or college plans. But that doesn’t mean he’s not doing anything — he’s just doing it quietly.

He might be in college, starting a new job, or trying different things to find what he loves. With a strong family behind him, Michael has the freedom to take his time and choose his path.

And while many kids of celebrities rush into the spotlight, Michael seems happy doing the opposite. That’s what makes him interesting.

Final Thoughts

Nobody knows for sure what’s next for Michael Charles Gosselaar — and that’s the fun part.

He could try acting in the future. He could start a business, travel the world, or work behind the scenes in film or TV. His life could go in any direction, and he has the support to explore whatever he wants.

The best part? He’s not in a rush. And he’s not doing it for the cameras. He’s building a life that feels right for him, with or without fame.

(FAQs)

How many kids does Mark-Paul Gosselaar have?

He has four kids — Michael, Ava, Dekker, and Lachlyn. Michael is the oldest and went to red carpet events as a young child.

What is Michael Charles Gosselaar doing now in 2025?

He is living a quiet life with no public job or acting work. Even though his dad is famous, he stays away from the spotlight.

How old and tall is Michael Charles Gosselaar?

He is 21 years old in 2025. His height isn’t known for sure, but people say he’s around 5’11”.

Is Michael Charles Gosselaar on Instagram?

No, he doesn’t use Instagram or any other social media. He likes to keep his life private.

What is Michael Charles Gosselaar’s net worth?

He doesn’t have a public net worth. His dad is rich, but Michael hasn’t used fame or money to become known.