FNAF’s Mike Schmidt might be the series’ main character, but as is the case for most of the major players in Five Nights at Freddy’s, so much about his background is shrouded in cryptic lore and hidden references. So, in this guide, we dig into all the details we have on who Mike is, how things play out for him, and some facts you might not know. Just be aware that spoilers are ahead.
For more on this spooky series, be sure to check out our FNAF characters guide or try our detailed character biographies for FNAF’s Freddy, FNAF’s Chica, FNAF’s Bonnie, FNAF’s Roxy, FNAF’s Puppet, FNAF’s Foxy, and FNAF’s Gregory. Or, if you can’t wait for the big-screen version of this horror IP, check out our guide to the FNAF movie.
Who is FNAF’s Mike Schmidt?
Mike Schmidt is the player character in Five Nights at Freddy’s. As a security guard working at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza, Mike has to fend off hallucinations and terrifying animatronics as he tries to make it to the seventh and final night. In the true ending, Mike survives, but the company fires him for tampering with the animatronics. Interestingly, we never actually see Mike while playing as him, and the only image available of the character is in the game over screen with human eyes visible inside the Freddy suit (yes, that’s Mike in there).
Before we get any further, it’s worth mentioning that we’re going to get pretty spoiler-heavy, so if you want to experience everything for yourself first, it’s time to bookmark this page and get back to the game. Ready? Okay, let’s go. After much speculation from the community, later games and additional media have confirmed that Mike Schmidt is the same person as Michael Afton, the middle child of the Afton family.
Schmidt and Afton being one and the same makes a lot of sense in the story. The reason for the animatronics attacking Mike in the first game is that they can’t distinguish him from his father, FNAF’s William Afton, who trapped the spirits of the children in the animatronic suits. Still, Mike’s intentions shift dramatically through the course of the series, going from an unsuspecting victim in the first game to becoming the man who wants to take down his father and his evil plans once and for all.
Things really take a turn for the worst for Mike during the events of Sister Location. If you beat custom night on very hard mode, you unlock a cutscene showing Ennard transferring himself from Circus Baby to Mike’s body. The minigames that follow tell the tale of Ennard taking over Mike’s body, turning him into something that looks like Purple Guy before his body rejects Ennard and releases the evil spirit. This leaves Mike near death, only to somehow survive while swearing to find his father.
Eventually, Mike gets his wish during the events of Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria Simulator. Mike works with Henry Emily, his father’s former partner, to lure in all the animatronics and William so they can face their ultimate demise in the fire. Unfortunately, the flames also consume Mike, seemingly ending his story.
What is FNAF’s Mike Schmidt’s personality?
As he’s mainly a player character, we don’t know loads about Mike’s personality, but we can garner some things from his entries in his logbook and his incentives. Mike seems like a laid-back and sarcastic kind of guy, taking the job originally so he can pick up some free pizza while working. However, his experiences with the animatronics change him, giving him the drive to find his father and to see if he can save his sister’s soul from Circus Baby.
FNAF’S Mike Schmidt game appearances
Mike’s appeared across multiple games as both Mike Schmidt and Michael Afton. Check out below to see where and how he’s involved across the series.
- Five Nights at Freddy’s (as Mike Schmidt)
- Five Nights at Freddy’s 4 (as Michael Afton)
- Five Nights at Freddy’s: Sister Location (as Michael Afton)
- Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria Simulator (as Michael Afton)
Is Mike Schmidt in the FNAF movie?
Yes, Mike Schmidt is in the FNAF movie. Josh Hutcherson plays the FNAF series protagonist, though there are a few differences between the game version of the character and that of the film. The biggest change is that Mike has a younger sister in the movie who we’ve never heard of in the games. We’re yet to see whether Mike returns in a possible sequel, but it seems likely.
There you have it, all you need to know about FNAF’s Mike Schmidt. While you’re here, check out another spooky title with our guides to Poppy Playtime characters, Poppy Playtime Chapter 1, and Poppy Playtime Chapter 2.