Michael Rourke serves as executive producer on JUDGE DAVID YOUNG, Sony Pictures Television's nationally syndicated weekday courtroom series, which has been cleared for the 2007-2008 season in 91% of the country.

Rourke developed and oversaw the production of the JUDGE DAVID YOUNG pilot in 2006. The series will feature the quick-witted and compassionate Judge David Young bringing his signature sense of humor and passion for justice to a national television audience for the very first time.

In addition to serving as executive producer for JUDGE DAVID YOUNG, Rourke continues to serve as executive producer for "Judge Maria Lopez" now entering its second season, and created and served as executive producer on the highly successful series, "Judge Hatchett," for seven consecutive seasons.

In February 2002, Rourke was named executive producer of Sony Pictures Television's successful daytime series, "Ricki Lake." During its final two seasons in syndication, Rourke transformed "Ricki" by infusing current subject matter while maintaining the various staples that made it a mainstay in popular culture. In order to maintain his duties on both "Judge Hatchett" and "Ricki," Rourke established an innovative dual production schedule in which many core staff members were able to work on both shows in the same year. Rourke also developed a wide range of projects and pilots while under his overall production deal with Sony Pictures Television.

Before joining Sony Pictures Television, Rourke was a producer for NBC News, with such credits as "First Person with Maria Shriver," "Weekend Today," and a number of informational specials examining such subjects as civil rights, gay rights, celebrity profiles, lifestyles and trends. He also developed and served as an executive producer for various VH1 programs including "The Rupaul Show" and the pilot episode of "The List." For Sony Pictures Television, Rourke also served as executive producer for the pilot of "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus" and stayed on as an executive consultant during its run in syndication.

Raised in Idaho and New Jersey, Rourke is a graduate of Villanova University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications.