Michael Rossi (fictional character)

Michael Rossi is a fictional character in the novel '' Peyton Place'' by Grace Metalious. Michael Rossi is a teacher and high school principal who had replaced Abner Firth, the preceding teacher and principal who had died of a heart attack. He becomes the love interest of

Constance MacKenzie Constance MacKenzie (née Standish) is a fictional character in the 1956 novel '' Peyton Place'' by Grace Metalious. In the subsequent film adaptation, she was played by Lana Turner; in the sequel '' Return to Peyton Place'', by Eleanor Parker; ...

, a woman with a hidden past. The character of Rossi originally was called Tomas Makris, bearing the name and description of a Laconia resident and co-worker of Metalious's school teacher husband. However, Makris sued for libel, winning an out-of-court settlement for $60,000. Makris was renamed Michael Rossi in later printings, and in the film and

TV series A television show – or simply TV show – is any content produced for viewing on a television set which can be broadcast via over-the-air, satellite, or cable, excluding breaking news, advertisements, or trailers that are typically placed b ...

which derived from the novel. In editions published in the United Kingdom, he was called Michael Kyros; in ''

Return to Peyton Place ''Return to Peyton Place'' is a 1959 novel by Grace Metalious, a sequel to her best-selling 1956 novel '' Peyton Place''. Plot summary After the phenomenal success of her first novel, Metalious hastily penned a sequel centering on the life and ...

'', he was named Michael Rossi. In the 1957 movie '' Peyton Place'', Michael Rossi is played by

Lee Philips Lee Philips (born Leon Friedman; January 10, 1927 – March 3, 1999) was an American actor, film director and television director. Life and career Philips was born in New York. His acting career started on Broadway, and peaked with a starring ...

. In the TV series '' Peyton Place'', which ran from 1964 to 1969, the character of Dr. Rossi was played by

Ed Nelson Edwin Stafford Nelson (December 21, 1928 – August 9, 2014) was an American actor, best known for his role as Dr. Michael Rossi in the television series '' Peyton Place''. Nelson appeared in episodes of many TV programs, more than 50 mov ...

. Rossi's profession was changed from high school principal to doctor. The former doctor, Matthew Swain, becomes the editor of the ''Peyton Place Clarion''. In the 1972-1974 daytime series ''

'', the role of Dr. Rossi was played by

Guy Stockwell Harry Guy Stockwell (November 16, 1933 – February 6, 2002) was an American actor who appeared in nearly 30 movies and 250 television series episodes. Life and career Stockwell was born in New York City, the son of singer/dancer Elizabeth "B ...

. Peyton Place characters Fictional schoolteachers Literary characters introduced in 1956 Characters in American novels of the 20th century Drama film characters {{fict-char-stub