Born January 9, 1949 as Michael Arthur Long, Michael served in 
special forces in Vietman and was an undercover cop in Las 
Vegas until he was shot in the face by Tanya Walker when a 
"bust" went bad in the Nevada desert on the night of August 8, 1982.
A special metal plate in his forehead, which was implanted in Vietnam,
prevented the bullet from killing him, but Michael received extensive 
damage to his face.
Fortunately for Michael, Wilton Knight, founder of the Foundation for 
Law and Government and Knight Industries, arrived on the scene just
a few minutes after the shooting occured. Mr. Knight rushed Michael
to his private estate in California via helicopter where Wilton's personal
physician stabilized Michael's condition and performed extensive 
plastic surgery giving him a new face. (Later, Michael would discover
that his face had been restructured into the likeness of Wilton's son
Garth who was still presumed to be impromised in Africa.)
Along with a new face, Michael was given a new identity, Michael Knight.

Michael was also given a new mission in life. On his deathbed, Wilton
Knight bequeathed the edict to Michael that "One man can make a 
difference". He became the field operative for the Foundation for Law and
Government. His job is "to champion the cause of the innocent,
 the helpless, the powerless in a world of criminals who operate above 
the law".
To carry out his new mission, Michael was given a new partner, KITT 
(Knight Industries Two Thousand). Together they make an unstoppable 
team. Michael works closely with Devon, the foundation's director whom
he considers to be a father figure, and KITT's technicians Bonnie and 
April.