Mike Colter

Mike Randal Colter (born August 26, 1976) is an American actor best known for his role as Luke Cage in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, appearing in the streaming television series ''Luke Cage'' (2016–2018), '' The Defenders'' (2017), and '' Jessica Jones'' (2015; 2019). He has also appeared as Lemond Bishop in the television series ''The Good Wife'' (2010–2015) and '' The Good Fight'' (2017–present), Malcolm Ward in ''Ringer'' (2011–2012), Jameson Locke in the ''Halo'' franchise (2014–2015), Agent J's father in '' Men in Black 3'', and David Acosta, a former journalist studying to be a Catholic priest in the CBS/Paramount+ series ''Evil.''

Early life

Colter was born in Columbia, South Carolina the youngest of four children born to Eddie Lee, Sr. and Freddie Marion (née Mitchell) Colter grew up in St. Matthews, South Carolina. He is a graduate of Calhoun County High School. In his senior high school yearbook, his senior superlative as voted by the class was "most ambitious." Colter spent a year at Benedict College before transferring to the University of South Carolina, receiving a bachelor's degree in theater in 1999. He obtained an MFA degree in acting from the Rutgers University Mason Gross School of the Arts.

Career

Colter's first role was in the film ''Million Dollar Baby'' as boxer Big Willie Little. He also guest starred on '' Law & Order: Trial By Jury'', '' Law and Order: Criminal Intent'', ''The Good Wife'', '' ER'', and '' The Parkers'' as well as several TV movies. He starred in the series ''Ringer''.

In 2012, he was featured in the final act of the film '' Men in Black 3'', playing agent J's father in the year 1969.

In 2014, Colter began portraying the role of Agent Jameson Locke in the ''Halo'' franchise. Colter starred in the series '' Halo: Nightfall'' and provided the motion capture for Agent Locke in '' Halo 5: Guardians'', and the voice acting is performed by Ike Amadi. He also co-starred as Luke Cage in '' Jessica Jones'' on Netflix. The first season was released online on November 20, 2015. This was followed by the character's own series, ''Luke Cage'', and the first season was released on September 30, 2016. The second season release followed on June 22, 2018. In between the two seasons, Colter also played Luke in '' The Defenders''. He also starred in the 2018 alien invasion movie ''Extinction''.

Colter was announced as the male lead in the CBS drama pilot, ''Evil'' as David Acosta, a Catholic seminarian who assesses unexplained phenomena for supernatural or scientific explanations.

In 2020, Colter starred in the Netflix anthology series ''Social Distance''.

Personal life

Colter met his future wife, Iva, at Rutgers University in New Jersey while he was pursuing his Masters and she was working on her PhD. The couple married in 2002. He also confirmed on the September 27, 2016, segment of '' The Wendy Williams Show'' that he has a daughter with Iva. The couple's second daughter was born in October 2018. Colter is a second cousin of actress Viola Davis. He resides in Los Angeles.

In 2019, Colter played for the "home" roster during the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game at the Bojangles' Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina. The roster was made up of celebrities with Carolina roots.

Filmography

Film and TV Movies

Television

Video games

Awards and nominations

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Colter, Mike
1976 births
21st-century American male actors
Male actors from Columbia, South Carolina
African-American male actors
American male film actors
American male television actors
Benedict College alumni
Living people
Male actors from New York (state)
Male actors from South Carolina
People from St. Matthews, South Carolina
Rutgers University alumni
University of South Carolina alumni
21st-century African-American people
20th-century African-American people