Michael H. Shamberg was born on 27 October 27 1952 in New York City. His family moved to Baltimore when Shamberg was 2 months old. He studied at Villanova University and at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia. He returned to New York City in the mid-1970s, following his studies.

Shamberg was a music video producer and filmmaker known for his work with New Order. He produced the videos for ‘True Faith’ and ‘Blue Monday’. He also worked on music videos for Talking Heads, The B-52's, R.E.M., Patti Smith and Grace Jones.

His work with New Order began when he filmed one of their 1981 concerts in New York City. He also filmed A Certain Ratio’s first gig in New York City for the short film TriBeCa. His work with New Order and A Certain Ratio led to him founding and running the US arm of Factory Records, Factory US, through which he issued licensed versions of Factory Records releases between 1980 and 1986.

Shamberg made only one feature film, Souvenir, in 1999. Shortly after the making of this film, Shamberg was diagnosed with a progressive neurological disease. In 2011, New Order performed a series of benefit concerts to cover the costs of Shamberg's medical treatment. Shamberg eventually succumbed to the illness, passing away on 1 November 2014.