Known for his intimidating stature, Taliferro was signed by the Washington Redskins in 1984, followed by two seasons in the USFL with the Denver Gold in 1985 and the Arizona Outlaws in 1986, finishing his career with the British Columbia Lions in the Canadian Football League the following year.
His first film appearance was in the film Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit in 1993 playing the role of a 'security guard', he had also made appearances in films like Armageddon, Life which starred Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence, and Half Past Dead; in 2006, he had completed his appearance Crime/Drama film A Day in the Life, later he had died of a stroke in May.
Taliferro also directed a film called Steppin: The Movie which was completed in 2007. Bear was best known for his roles in the films Bad Boys, Life, Half Past Dead, Ride or Die and Blue Hill Avenue.

Armageddon
1998 · as Roughneck #2

Bad Boys
1995 · as Carjacker

The Replacements
2000 · as Andre Jackson

Life
1999 · as Goldmouth

Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit
1993 · as Security Guard

Half Past Dead
2002 · as Little Joe

You Got Served
2004 · as Emerald

Hustle and Heat
2003 · as B Free

A Thin Line Between Love and Hate
1996 · as Club Security #1

Witch Hunt
1994 · as Zombie (as Michael 'Bear' Taliferro)

Blue Hill Avenue
2003 · as Simon

A Day in the Life
2009 · as Brian Smith

Rude Boy: The Jamaican Don
2003 · as Biggs