Nader was born on February 19, 1945, in St. Louis, Missouri. His parents split up a few months after his birth. Nader accompanied his mother, Minette, when she moved to Los Angeles to pursue an entertainment career. He graduated from Palisades Charter High School in 1963. At 16, Nader was one of three young surfers featured in a September 1961 Life photo spread accompanying the article "The Mad, Happy Surfers: A Way of Life on the Wavetops".
Career
Nader began his acting career in 1963 with small roles in several of American International PicturesBeach Party films, then billed as "Mike Nader". He later appeared in the recurring role of Siddo in the 1965–66 TV seriesGidget, and had a small role in the 1968 filmBlue. Nader's first soap opera role was playing Kevin Thompson on As the World Turns from 1975 to 1978. In 1983, he appeared in the NBC prime time soap opera Bare Essence as Alexi Theopolis. Nader won the role of Farnsworth "Dex" Dexter, the eventual third husband of Alexis Colby, on the prime time soap opera Dynasty in 1983. He remained on the series until its cancellation in 1989. Nader appeared as Nazi officer Burchhardt in the 1988 television film'. The same year, he co-starred as Nick Scalfone in the TV movieLady Mobster. In 1990, he appeared as Enzio Bonnatti in the miniseriesLucky Chances. Nader returned to soap operas in 1991, portraying Dimitri Marick, the husband of Erica Kane, on the daytime dramaAll My Children. He played the role from 1991 to 1999 and from 2000 to 2001. Nader returned for All My Children online revival in 2013. Nader has appeared in episodes of other TV series, including The Flash, ', and Cold Case.
Personal life
Nader was hit by a drunk driver at age six, which left him with a visible facial scar. He dated actress Ellen Barber for 10 years, with the relationship ending around the same time as his role on As the World Turns. Nader married Robin Weiss in June 1984, and a month later they had a daughter. He has been married to Beth Windsor since 1992. In 1984, Nader admitted to previously having a drug problem, which prompted him to become sober in 1980. He was charged with drunk driving in 1997, and in 2001 was arrested for attempting to sell cocaine to an undercover police officer. Nader was let go from his role on All My Children soon after, with a statement from ABC that if he resolved his issues they would rehire him. They never did, and Nader sued the network, alleging that they never intended to bring him back to the show at all. He is the nephew of actor George Nader.
