He was raised in Moscow and attended college there, graduating with a degree in law.

In 1995, Michael Lucas moved to Germany, then to France, where he began modeling and appearing on several European television programs and covers of many European magazines. In 1998, Lucas opened his own production company, Lucas Entertainment, in New York City. Later that year, he made his directorial debut with the well-received Back in the Saddle. This first production sparked the Michael Lucas 'renegade' vision that is indelibly New York.

Additionally, basing his company in New York City, as opposed to the more traditional Los Angeles, enabled Lucas to showcase the diversity of types and ethnicities found nowhere else. MIchael Lucas started Lucas Distribution, Inc. Both are pioneering ventures in the competitive realms of adult video distribution and online media, respectively. In the summer of 2005 he released GayVN's Best Picture of the year, a high-budget adult film remake of Dangerous Liaisons, featuring celebrity cameos from RuPaul, Boy George, Graham Norton, Bruce Vilanch, and Michael Musto.