Michael Jai White

Michael Richard Jai White (born November 10, 1967) is an American actor, martial artist, and director. He is one of the first African Americans to portray a major comic book superhero in a major motion picture,[1] having starred as Al Simmons, the protagonist in the 1997 film Spawn.[note 1] White appeared as Marcus Williams in the Tyler Perry films Why Did I Get Married? and Why Did I Get Married Too?, and starred as the character on the TBS/OWN comedy-drama television series Tyler Perry's For Better or Worse. White portrayed Jax Briggs in Mortal Kombat: Legacy and the Cyborg Seth in Universal Soldier: The Return. He portrayed boxer Mike Tyson in the 1995 HBO television movie Tyson. He also played the title role in the blaxploitation parody film Black Dynamite, as well as the animated series of the same name.

Michael Jai White
White at the MagicCity ComicCon, January 2016
Born
Michael Richard Jai White

(1967-11-10) November 10, 1967
Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.
OccupationActor, martial artist, producer, film director, voice actor
Years active1989–present
Spouse(s)Courtney Chatham (2005–2011)
Gillian Iliana Waters (2015–present)
Children6

Early life

White was born in Brooklyn, New York and moved as a teen to Bridgeport, Connecticut, where he graduated from Central High School in 1985. He later graduated from Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, CT.

White is a martial artist in eight different styles: Shōtōkan, Goju-Ryu (for which he studied under Master Eddie Morales where he learned to sharpen his Goju karate technique), Taekwondo, Kobudō, Tang Soo Do, Wushu, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Kyokushin,[2][3] with a specific focus in Kyokushin Karate (although his style incorporates aspects of many different martial arts forms).[4] White started training in the martial arts at the age of seven in Jujutsu. He next took up Shōtōkan and moved on to other styles later.[5]

White is a former special education teacher and taught students with behavioral problems for three years.[6] He cites his history in education as the reason why, despite his personal love for the music genre on "a lot of levels", he cannot "in good [conscience]" have a positive opinion on hip hop or "excuse some of [its] pervasive and destructive elements", mainly due to his experience with youngsters who had difficulty seeing the difference between it and real life.[6]

Acting career

White's first major starring role and breakout performance was in the 1995 HBO film Tyson, as heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson. He portrayed the eponymous character in the 1997 movie Spawn, making him the first African American to portray a major comic book superhero in a major motion picture.[1] His work in Spawn earned him a nomination for the Blockbuster Entertainment Award . White starred opposite Jean-Claude Van Damme in Universal Soldier: The Return, in 1999. A few years earlier, he acted in Full Contact, with Jerry Trimble. In 2001, he also starred opposite fellow martial artist Steven Seagal in Exit Wounds. In 2003, he starred in Busta Rhymes' and Mariah Carey's music video "I Know What You Want". Since 2003, in addition to his on screen roles, White has been doing voice work, including Static Shock and the Justice League. White showcases his martial arts skills in the direct-to-DVD film Undisputed II: Last Man Standing. He also appears in Michelle Yeoh's Silver Hawk in 2004. He appeared in Kill Bill: Volume 2, although his role was cut from the theatrical release. His film Why Did I Get Married? opened at number one at the box office on October 12, 2007.

White played the role of the mob boss Gambol in the 2008 film The Dark Knight. He also starred in the film Blood and Bone and the blaxploitation homage Black Dynamite, both released in 2009. White wrote the scripts for both Black Dynamite and his upcoming 3 Bullets in which he stars with Bokeem Woodbine.

On March 30, 2010, White appeared on The Mo'Nique Show to promote his film Why Did I Get Married Too. The two joked about the acclaim that comes with winning an Oscar. In May of that year he appeared in the music video for Toni Braxton's new song "Hands Tied" from her album Pulse, as well as the Nicki Minaj music video for "Your Love" as Nicki's sensei and love interest.

He also starred in Kevin Tancharoen's short film Mortal Kombat: Rebirth,[7] as Jax Briggs, and reprised the role in Mortal Kombat: Legacy, a webseries from the same director. He recently posted on Twitter that he would not be returning to the role for the second season, but would return for the 2013 film.

White made his directorial debut and starred in Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown, which was released on home video on September 13, 2011.[8]

White also provided the voice of Green Lantern in the video game Justice League Heroes.[9]

Personal life

From 2005 to 2011, White was married to Courtney Chatham and together they have a daughter named Morgan. In addition, White has two sons.[10][11] In February 2014, White announced his engagement to actress Gillian Iliana Waters.[11] In April 2015, White penned an open letter via Facebook entitled "Apologies to My Ex's", where he credited Waters for helping him become, "the very best version of myself."[12] In July 2015, White married Waters in Thailand.[13]

In 2014, White was honored with the Fists of Legends Decade Award at the Urban Action Showcase & Expo at HBO.[14] On November 8, 2019, he assumed "The Mantle of The Black Dragon" from Ron van Clief, Don "The Dragon" Wilson, Cynthia Rothrock, and Taimak, in a ceremony at the 2019 Urban Action Showcase & Expo at AMC 25, NYC.[15]

Filmography
White at Comic Con in July 2011

Film
Year Title Role Notes
1989 The Toxic Avenger Part II Apocalypse Inc. Executive
The Toxic Avenger Part III: The Last Temptation of Toxie Apocalypse, Inc. Executive
1991 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze Audience Man Uncredited
True Identity Alley Guy #1
1992 Prototype Stunts
Universal Soldier Soldier
1993 Full Contact Low-Ball
1994 On Deadly Ground Stunts
Lion Strike Silvio
1995 Ballistic Quint
Tyson Mike Tyson
1996 2 Days in the Valley Buck
1997 City of Industry Odell Williams
Spawn Albert "Al" Simmons / Spawn
1998 Ringmaster Demond
Thick as Thieves Pointy
1999 Breakfast of Champions Howell
Mutiny Ben Cooper
Universal Soldier: The Return SETH
2000 The Bus Stop Short film
2001 Exit Wounds Lewis Strutt
2002 Trois 2: Pandora's Box Hampton Hines
2003 Justice Tre Direct-to-video
2004 Silver Hawk Morris
Kill Bill: Volume 2 Da Moe Deleted scene
2006 Undisputed II: Last Man Standing George Chambers Direct-to-video
2007 Why Did I Get Married Marcus
PVC-1 Executive producer
2008 The Dark Knight Gambol
2009 Black Dynamite Black Dynamite Also writer
Blood and Bone Isaiah Bone Direct-to-video; also producer
Three Bullets The Man Short film; also writer, producer and stunt choreographer
2010 Why Did I Get Married Too? Marcus
Mortal Kombat: Rebirth Jackson "Jax" Briggs Short film[16]
2011 Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown Case Walker Direct-to-video; also director
Tactical Force Hunt Direct-to-video
2012 We the Party Officer Davis
Freaky Deaky Donnell Lewis
The Philly Kid Arthur Letts
2013 Fedz Big D
2014 Android Cop Hammond
Falcon Rising John 'Falcon' Chapman
Skin Trade FBI Agent Reed
2015 Chocolate City Princeton
Chain of Command James Webster
2016 Beyond the Game
The Asian Connection Greedy Greg
Never Back Down: No Surrender Case Walker Direct-to-video; also director
Vigilante Diaries Barrington Direct-to-video[17][18]
Chocolate City: Vegas Strip Princeton Direct-to-video
2017 Cops and Robbers Michael
S.W.A.T.: Under Siege Scorpion
2018 Accident Man Mick
Making a Killing Orlando Hudson
Dragged Across Concrete Biscuit
2019 The Hard Way Payne Direct-to-video
Triple Threat Devereaux
Undercover Brother 2 Undercover Brother
2020 HeadShop Reverend Carter Direct-to-video; filming
The Outlaw Johnny Black Johnny Black Direct-to-video, also director

Television
Year Title Role Notes
1993 Saved by the Bell Military Police Man #2 Episode: "Wrestling with the Future"; Uncredited
Renegade Luther - Dawn's boyfriend Episode: "Vanished"
1994 Martin Valdez Episode: "Arms Are for Hugging"
Living Single Steve Episode: "Hot Fun in the Wintertime"
1995 JAG Navy Petty Officer Peter Quinn / Lt. Martin Payne Episode: "Brig Break"
NYPD Blue Off. Reginald 'Reggie' Fancy 2 episodes
Tyson Mike Tyson TV movie
1996 Captive Heart: The James Mink Story Elroy TV movie
Shaughnessy Carpenter TV movie
1999 Mutiny Ben Cooper TV movie
2000 Wonderland Dr. Derrick Hatcher Recurring
Freedom Song Coleman Vaughnes TV movie
2001 Boston Public Darren Schofield Episode: "Chapter Eighteen"
Soul Food Russell Banks Episode: "Who Do You Know?"
2003 CSI: Miami Officer Roy Bailey Episode: "Hard Time"
Justice League Doomsday (voice) Episode: "A Better World, Part 1"
Hotel TV movie
2003–04 Static Shock Osebo (voice) 2 episodes
2004–05 Clubhouse Ellis Hayes Recurring
2006 Justice League Unlimited Doomsday (voice) Episode: "The Doomsday Sanction"
Getting Played Actor TV movie
2007–08 Tyler Perry's House of Payne Bryan 3 episodes
2008 The Legend of Bruce Lee Ali 3 episodes
2010 The Boondocks Bushido Brown / Cop (voice) Episode: "Stinkmeaner 3: The Hateocracy"
One Angry Juror Derrick TV movie
2011 Batman: The Brave and the Bold Tattooed Man Episode: "The Scorn of the Star Sapphire!"
2011–17 Tyler Perry's For Better or Worse Marcus Williams Main cast
2011–15 Black Dynamite Black Dynamite / Jim Kelly / CIA Member (voice) Main cast; also producer
2012 Somebody's Child Douglas TV movie
Aqua Something You Know Whatever Zucotti Manicotti (voice) Episode: "Zucotti Manicotti"; uncredited
2012–14 Métal Hurlant Chronicles Balt 2 episodes
2013–19 Arrow Ben Turner / Bronze Tiger 10 episodes
2016 The Crooked Man Milo TV movie
2017 Insecure: Due North Zeke Episode: "201"

Video games
Year Title Voice role
2006 Justice League Heroes John Stewart /
Green Lantern
2007 The Underground Bounty Hunter Hatch

Web series
Year Title Role Notes
2011 Mortal Kombat: Legacy Jackson "Jax" Briggs 2 episodes
2012 Métal Hurlant Chronicles Teague Episode: "King's Crown"
2014 Métal Hurlant Chronicles Balt Episode: "The Endomorphe"
2016 Enter the Dojo Himself Episode: "How to Fight a Clown"

Music videos
Year Video Performer
2003 "I Know What You Want" Busta Rhymes and Mariah Carey featuring The Flipmode Squad
2010 "Your Love" Nicki Minaj
2010 "Hands Tied" Toni Braxton
2012 "Let's Go" Calvin Harris featuring Ne-Yo

Notes
  1. Spawn was released on August 1, 1997, two weeks before the release of Steel, which starred NBA basketball player Shaquille O'Neal. Robert Townsend and Damon Wayans also starred in the superhero films The Meteor Man (1993) and Blankman (1994), respectively, both parodies.
gollark: Is the best item transportation.
gollark: PotatOS.
gollark: Wait, the opus shop can't pull from Milo? Weird.
gollark: I mean a general universalish interface wyvern and whatnot can implement.
gollark: <@290217153293189120> Milo has a shop thing already.

References
  1. "Michael Jai White is first Black comic superhero to star on the movie screen in 'Spawn.'". Jet magazine. September 22, 1997. Archived from the original on May 25, 2012. Retrieved October 17, 2009.
  2. "Male Celebs Who Practice Martial Arts", Jet magazine, Sept. 24, 1903, at pp. 38-39.
  3. Pollard, Edward. "Michael Jai White Ignites Black Dynamite". Black Belt Magazine. Archived from the original on January 2, 2010. Retrieved 2009-12-27.
  4. Taco the Town: Michael Jai White Archived 2010-06-10 at the Wayback Machine
  5. Howlett, Sandy (August 27, 2014). "The Kyokushin Karate Roots of Michael Jai White". www.blackbeltmag.com. Black Belt Magazine. Archived from the original on January 4, 2018.
  6. Black Dynamite Interview with Michael Jai White and Scott Sanders, Midcmedia, February 11, 2010, retrieved 2019-12-17
  7. "New Mortal Kombat Promotional Featurette Delivers the Goods". dreadcentral.com. June 8, 2010. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014.
  8. Morales, Wilson (September 13, 2011). "Never Back Down 2: Michael Jai White". Blackfilm.com. Retrieved December 11, 2011.
  9. "Justice League Heroes (Video Game 2006)". IMDb. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
  10. "Michael Jai White's Adorable Baby Girl". Archived from the original on 2009-01-24. Retrieved 2009-01-23.
  11. Bailey-Tureaud, Kimberly (3 February 2014). "Michael Jai White and fiancée Gillian Iliana Waters share the secret to their romance". Las Vegas Black Image. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
  12. Williams, Brennan (15 April 2015). "Michael Jai White Writes Letter Of Apology To His Ex-Girlfriends: 'I Believed All Women Were Crazy'". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
  13. Caslin, Yvette (8 July 2015). "Exclusive: Michael Jai White and Gillian Iliana Waters tie the knot". Rolling Out. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
  14. "2014 Urban Action Showcase International Action Film Festival & Honoree Awards". YouTube. Retrieved 2014-01-27.
  15. Zirogiannis, Marc (November 9, 2019). "Michael Jai White Assumes The Mantle of the Black Dragon". Taekwondo Life Magazine. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
  16. George 'El Guapo' Roush (June 8, 2010). "Mortal Kombat Fans, This Is The Hard 'R' MK Movie You've Been Waiting For". latinoreview.com. Archived from the original on June 11, 2010.
  17. Sesma, Christian (2016-06-24), Vigilante Diaries, retrieved 2016-08-29
  18. Taylor, Kelly. "Michael Jai White on new film 'Vigilante Diaries' and finding his soul mate". Fox. Archived from the original on May 1, 2017. Retrieved 2016-08-29.
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