Michael Jai White

Michael Jai White (born November 10, 1967) is an American actor, martial artist, and director. Though he has appeared in a variety of genres, White is best known for his action and martial arts films. His first major starring role and breakout performance was in the 1995 HBO film '' Tyson'' as heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson. He went on to portray Al Simmons in the 1997 movie ''Spawn'', making him the first African American to portray a major comic book superhero in a major motion picture.''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. His work in ''Spawn'' earned him a nomination for the Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Best Male Newcomer. In 1999, White starred opposite Jean-Claude Van Damme in '' Universal Soldier: The Return'', and in 2001, he starred opposite Steven Seagal in ''Exit Wounds''. 

He has appeared in the films ''The Dark Knight'' (2008), ''Black Dynamite'' (2009), ''Accident Man'' (2018), ''Dragged Across Concrete'' (2019), and '' As Good As Dead'' (2022), among others. He appeared as Marcus Williams in the Tyler Perry films ''Why Did I Get Married?'' (2007) and ''Why Did I Get Married Too?'' (2010), and starred as the character on the TBS/OWN comedy-drama television series ''Tyler Perry's For Better or Worse''. He directed and starred in '' Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown'' (2011), '' Never Back Down: No Surrender'' (2016), and '' Outlaw Johnny Black'' (2023). His voice acting work includes ''Justice League Heroes'' (2006), '' Batman: Soul of the Dragon'' (2021), and ''Marvel's Midnight Suns'' (2022).

White has been training in martial arts since the age of 7, and specializes in the styles of Kyokushin, Taekwondo, Kobudō, Shotokan, and The Superfoot System.

Early life

White is a martial artist trained in nine 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, Jujutsu, Kyokushin, Boxing, and Kickboxing,"Male Celebs Who Practice Martial Arts", '' Jet'' magazine, Sept. 24, 2001, at pp. 38-39. with a specific focus in Kyokushin Karate (although his style incorporates aspects of many different martial arts forms). White started training in martial arts at the age of four in Jujutsu. He next took up Shōtōkan and moved on to other styles later. White holds seven legitimate black belts in Kyokushin Karate, Goju-Ryu Karate, Shotokan Karate, Taekwondo, Tang Soo Do, Kobudo, and Wushu.

White is also a former special education teacher and taught students with behavioral problems for three years. 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 onscience have a positive opinion on hip-hop or "excuse some of tspervasive and destructive elements", mainly due to his experience with youngsters who had difficulty seeing the difference between it and real life.

He graduated from Central High School in Bridgeport, Connecticut in 1982.

Career

White's first major starring role was in the 1995 HBO film '' Tyson'' as heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson. He portrayed the eponymous character in the 1997 film ''Spawn'', making him the first African American to portray a major comic book superhero in a major motion picture. His work in ''Spawn'' earned him a nomination for the Blockbuster Entertainment Award. In 1999, White starred opposite Jean-Claude Van Damme in '' Universal Soldier: The Return''. A few years earlier, he appeared in ''Full Contact'' with Jerry Trimble. In 2001, he starred opposite fellow martial artist Steven Seagal in ''Exit Wounds''. In 2003, he appeared 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 in ''Static Shock'' and ''Justice League''. White showcased his martial arts skills in the direct-to-DVD film '' Undisputed II: Last Man Standing''. In 2004, he appeared in Michelle Yeoh's ''Silver Hawk''. That year, he also appeared in '' Kill Bill: Volume 2'', although his role was cut from the theatrical release. He also had roles in '' Undisputed II: Last Man Standing'' (2006) and ''Blood and Bone'' (2009). His film ''Why Did I Get Married?'' opened at number one at the box office on October 12, 2007.

White played the role of 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 ''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'' as Jax Briggs, and reprised the role in '' Mortal Kombat: Legacy'', a web series from the same director. He 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.

White also voiced Green Lantern in the video game ''Justice League Heroes''.

In October 2019, White announced that the spiritual successor to ''Black Dynamite'' titled '' Outlaw Johnny Black'' had officially entered pre-production. Despite the Indiegogo campaign not reaching its goal, he was still able to secure enough backers and additional donors to get the project off the ground. In July 2023, its trailer was released. Its theatrical release date was September 15, 2023.

In October 2020, White's latest film '' Welcome to Sudden Death'' debuted on Netflix and became one of the most watched films on the platform. The Universal Pictures Home Entertainment release is a remake of the 1995 film ''Sudden Death'' starring Jean-Claude Van Damme.

On July 12, 2021, White laid out a vision for starting a film studio in New Haven, Connecticut called "Jaigantic Studios". He wants to create a studio district on New Haven's Quinnipiac River waterfront.

Personal life

From 2005 to 2011, White was married to Courtenay Chatman and together they have a daughter named Morgan. In addition, White has two sons. In February 2014, White announced his engagement to actress Gillian Iliana Waters. 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." In July 2015, White married Waters in Thailand. They appeared together in the martial arts thriller movie ''Take Back'' (2021), with Gillian White starring as the female lead.

In 2014, White was honored with the Fists of Legends Decade Award at the Urban Action Showcase & Expo at HBO. In 2015, he was inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame. 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, New York City.

White briefly dated actress Angela Bassett during the 1990s.

White is a cousin of comedian and actress Kym Whitley.

Filmography

Film

Television

Music videos

Video games

Web series

Notes

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:White, Michael Jai
1967 births
Living people
20th-century African-American male actors
20th-century American male actors
21st-century African-American male actors
21st-century American male actors
African-American film directors
American jujutsuka
American male film actors
American male karateka
American male taekwondo practitioners
American male television actors
American male voice actors
American people of Ghanaian descent
American tang soo do practitioners
American wushu practitioners
Central High School (Connecticut) alumni
Film directors from Connecticut
Film directors from New York City
Gōjū-ryū practitioners
Kyokushin kaikan practitioners
Male actors from Bridgeport, Connecticut
Male actors from New York City
Shotokan practitioners