From that successful start he went on to star along with Sally Field in the popular Gidget television series. He then moved to New York City and studied at the prestigious Actors Studio as well as the Herbert Berghof Studio. He also appeared in several off-Broadway plays.

He began his soap opera career in 1976 in the role of Kevin Thompson on As the World Turns, and was on that show for three years.

In 1983, he began his well-known role as Farnsworth Dexter on Dynasty. He played "Dex" until 1989.

In 1990, he produced and co-starred in A Prayer For My Daughter which won that year's Los Angeles DramaLogue Award for Best Ensemble Production.

When Michael Nader joined All My Children in September 1991, he created the role of Dimitri Marick, the handsome and dashing Hungarian Count. His magnetic performances have garnered him many loyal fans, who have eagerly watched Dimitri in stories of romance, drama and mystery.

In 1992, Michael was on Soap Opera Digest's list of TV's Sexiest Men. In 1993, he (along with John Callahan) received the Soap Opera Digest Award for Best Brothers. In 1997, Michael was nominated by Soap Opera Update as Best Actor. In 1998, he was nominated by Soap Opera Digest as Outstanding Villain. And in 2000, Soap Opera Digest gave Michael the Best Male Return Award.