Michael Len Hollywood was born September 28, 1946 to Jack and Virginia Hollywood. The Los Angeles Herald Tribune of that date proclaimed him the first Hollywood to be born in Hollywood.
Later, the Hollywood family, including Mike and his younger brother Ron, ventured to Santa Barbara, California to grow their family tile business. The young Mike, a spirited golfer, showcased his talents at San Marcos High School graduating in the class of 1964, and later at Santa Barbara City College. His life took a different turn when he was drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War, serving honorably until 1969. During his service, he also pursued his passion for golf, eventually achieving a notable 10th place finish in the 1969 Dutch Open.

In the following years, Mike's life took new paths as he experienced the joy of fatherhood, welcoming his son Matthew Michael in 1973 and daughter Jennifer Amy-Marie in 1976 with his first wife, Regina. Mike then took the helm of the family business, expanding their ceramic tile contracting firm and creating a thriving tile and home furnishings warehouse. As his passion for beachside living grew, he leapt at the chance to relocate his family to a beachfront home between Santa Barbara and Ventura.

Although his first marriage came to an end, Mike's amicable relationship with his ex-wife, Gina, stood as a testament to their enduring friendship. Later, Mike married Patricia Robertson, gaining two stepsons, Ryan and Kelly, through their union. Even after the marriage ended, the family ties persevered.

After retiring from the tile business, Mike chased his dream of becoming a writer, aptly adopting the moniker "Papa Mike". His deep-seated love of the ocean and tropical locales led him to travel the world, penning a series of beloved guidebooks. As a devoted Jimmy Buffet fan, Mike sought out the destinations mentioned in Buffet's songs, eventually making a part-time home on the Yellowstone River in Montana. This season of his life culminated in the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, where he met his future wife, Anne. Together, they spent the remainder of his life in Florida, surrounded by the melodies of the everglades and cherished moments with their friends and growing family.

Mike passed away peacefully in the early hours of Sunday, February 2nd after a brief but aggressive fight with cancer. According to his wishes, a celebration of his life will occur at a later date in Santa Barbara, California.