Michael Aloysious Axford is a former police officer turned reporter who works at The Daily Sentinel. Originally created by Fran Striker as supporting character on the popular radio series, Warner Lester, Manhunter, Striker carried him over to the first episode of the Green Hornet radio series, where he became a permanent fixture. Axford has since appeared as one of the principle supporting characters in most iterations of the Green Hornet franchise, where he is usually depicted as being obsessed with outing the identity of the Green Hornet and bringing him to justice, unaware that the masked vigilante is actually his employer and friend, Britt Reid.
In the radio series[]
The Green Hornet's co-creator, Fran Striker, carried over the character of former police chief and private investigator Michael Axford from his earlier radio series Warner Lester, Manhunter and its popular spinoff Manhunters. His appearance on the new, seemingly unrelated, program was explained as Axford's being an old friend of Britt Reid's father, Da Reid Jr. Fearing that Britt's reckless playboy nature could eventually bring him into danger, he hired Axford to ostensibly join The Daily Sentinel's staff while, in reality, serving as a bodyguard to Britt. However, Axford could immediately tell that Britt saw through the charade and the two of them decided to humor Dan by having Axford stay on the staff as a legitimate reporter. He also agrees to live with Britt and Kato in Britt's posh and spacious apartment. Although Axford was occasional described as being married on Manhunters, he was portrayed as being single by the time he appeared on The Green Hornet.
Jim Irwin originated the role of Michael Axford on Manhunters and continued to play the role on The Green Hornet until his death in 1938 at age 72. He was succeeded in the role by Gil Shea until the conclusion of the series in 1956.
In the film serials[]
In the serials The Green Hornet and The Green Hornet Strikes Again!, the character is played by Wade Boteler.
In the TV series[]
Lloyd Gough portrayed Mike Axford in the television series The Green Hornet. He was part of the primary cast of the series and appeared in every episode of the series, although his appearances often consisted of minimal screen time.
In the 2011 film[]
Mike Axford is portrayed by American actor Edward James Olmos in the 2011 film.