Michael Jai White

Michael Jai White

Born:November 10, 1967

Place of Birth:Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Known For:Acting

Biography

Michael Jai White, a trailblazing American actor and professional martial artist, has left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry with his powerful performances and exceptional martial arts skills. Born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in Bridgeport, Connecticut, White discovered his passion for martial arts at a young age, embarking on a journey that would see him become a master in seven different disciplines, including Shotokan, Tae Kwon Do, and Kyokushin.

White's breakout role came in the 1995 HBO film "Tyson," where he portrayed the legendary heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson with raw intensity and authenticity. However, it was his portrayal of Al Simmons in the 1997 film "Spawn" that solidified his place in cinematic history as the first African American to play a major comic book superhero on the big screen. This groundbreaking role earned him critical acclaim and a nomination for the Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Best Male Newcomer.

Throughout his career, White has showcased his versatility as an actor, starring in a diverse range of projects, from action-packed films like "Universal Soldier: The Return" alongside Jean-Claude Van Damme to dramatic roles in films like "Why Did I Get Married?" which topped the box office in 2007. His performance as Gambol in the 2008 film "The Dark Knight" further demonstrated his ability to bring complex characters to life with depth and nuance.

In addition to his on-screen work, White has lent his voice to animated series such as "Static Shock" and "Justice League," showcasing his talent beyond live-action performances. His dedication to his craft is evident in his commitment to roles that require not only physical prowess but also emotional depth, as seen in his portrayal of the mob boss Gambol in "The Dark Knight."

White's passion for storytelling extends beyond acting, as he has ventured into writing and directing, with projects like "Black Dynamite" and "3 Bullets," where he not only starred but also penned the scripts. His directorial debut in "Never Back Down 2" further solidified his position as a multifaceted talent in the industry, showcasing his ability to bring a unique vision to the screen.

Off-screen, White is a devoted family man, having tied the knot with Courtenay Chatman in 2005 and welcoming their daughter, Morgan Michelle, in 2008. With two sons from a previous relationship, White balances his thriving career with his role as a loving husband and father. An avid chess player, White's strategic mindset and discipline on the chessboard mirror his approach to his craft, where every move is calculated and executed with precision.

Michael Jai White's contributions to film and television have not only broken barriers but have also inspired a new generation of actors and martial artists to pursue their dreams fearlessly. With his unmatched talent and unwavering dedication, White continues to captivate audiences worldwide, leaving an enduring legacy in the world of entertainment.

Images

Michael Jai White

Filmography

Acting

The Dark Knight

The Dark Knight

Gambol

2008

Batman raises the stakes in his war on crime. With the help of Lt. Jim Gordon and District Attorney Harvey Dent, Batman sets out to dismantle the remaining criminal organizations that plague the streets. The partnership proves to be effective, but they soon find themselves prey to a reign of chaos unleashed by a rising criminal mastermind known to the terrified citizens of Gotham as the Joker.
The Island

The Island

Mark

2023

When his brother is killed, LAPD officer Mark leaves the city to return to the island he grew up on. Seeking answers and ultimately vengeance, he soon finds himself in a bloody battle with the corrupt tycoon who's taken over the island paradise.
Triple Threat

Triple Threat

Devereaux

2019

A crime syndicate places a hit on a billionaire's daughter, making her the target of an elite assassin squad. A small band of down-and-out mercenaries protects her, fighting tooth and nail to stop the assassins from reaching their target.
Undisputed II: Last Man Standing

Undisputed II: Last Man Standing

George Chambers

2006

Heavyweight Champ George "Iceman" Chambers is sent to a Russian jail on trumped-up drug charges. In order to win his freedom he must fight against the jailhouse fighting champ Uri Boyka in a battle to the death. This time he is not fighting for a title, he is fighting for his life!
Blood and Bone

Blood and Bone

Isaiah Bone

2009

In Los Angeles, an ex-con takes the underground fighting world by storm in his quest to fulfill a promise to a dead friend.
Never Back Down: No Surrender

Never Back Down: No Surrender

Case Walker

2016

Picking up after the events of Never Back Down 2, former MMA champion Case Walker is on the comeback trail to become champion once again.
One More Shot

One More Shot

Robert Jackson

2024

Following the attack on the black site in Poland, Navy SEAL Jake Harris is ordered to escort terrorist suspect Amin Mansur to Washington D.C. for interrogation. Before the prisoner transfer process is complete, though, the airport is attacked by a group of heavily armed, well-trained mercenaries.
MR-9: Do or Die

MR-9: Do or Die

Duke

2023

Elite Bangladeshi CIA agent Masud Rana – codename MR-9 – teams up with an American CIA operative to bring down an international criminal organization headed by a ruthless businessman.
Spawn

Spawn

Al Simmons / Spawn

1997

After being murdered by corrupt colleagues in a covert government agency, Al Simmons makes a pact with the devil to be resurrected to see his beloved wife Wanda. In exchange for his return to Earth, Simmons agrees to lead Hell's Army in the destruction of mankind.
S.W.A.T.: Under Siege

S.W.A.T.: Under Siege

Scorpion

2017

When a D.E.A. and S.W.A.T. cartel takedown ends in a shootout, S.W.A.T. Agent Travis Hall seizes a mysterious prisoner taking him into custody. Before long, the S.W.A.T. compound is under siege by wave-after-wave of assault teams attempting to recover the prisoner known as “The Scorpion” for the tattoo blazed across his back. When Travis discovers that his prisoner is a Secret Ops double agent planted within the cartel, it’s up to him and his expert S.W.A.T. team to keep “The Scorpion” and his billion dollar secrets safe.
Universal Soldier

Universal Soldier

Soldier

1992

An American soldier who had been killed during the Vietnam War is revived 25 years later by the military as a semi-android, UniSols, a high-tech soldier of the future. After the failure of the initiative to erase all the soldier's memories, he begins to experience flashbacks that are forcing him to recall his past.
Dragged Across Concrete

Dragged Across Concrete

'Biscuit'

2019

Two policemen, one an old-timer, the other his volatile younger partner, find themselves suspended when a video of their strong-arm tactics becomes the media's cause du jour. Low on cash and with no other options, these two embittered soldiers descend into the criminal underworld to gain their just due, but instead find far more than they wanted awaiting them in the shadows.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze

Audience Man

1991

The Turtles and the Shredder battle once again, this time for the last cannister of the ooze that created the Turtles, which Shredder wants to create an army of new mutants.
Universal Soldier: The Return

Universal Soldier: The Return

SETH

1999

Luc Deveraux, the heroic former Universal Soldier, is about to be thrown into action once again. When SETH, the supercomputer-controlled ultra-warrior, decides to take revenge and destroy its creators, only Luc can stop it. All hell breaks loose as Luc battles SETH and a deadly team of perfect soldiers in a struggle that pits man against machine and good against evil.
Accident Man

Accident Man

Mick

2018

Mike Fallon, the Accident Man, is a stone cold killer. When a loved one is murdered by his own crew, Fallon is forced to avenge the one person who actually meant something to him.
Exit Wounds

Exit Wounds

Lewis Strutt

2001

Maverick cop Orin Boyd always brings down the domestic terrorists he tracks, but he ruffles feathers with his unorthodox techniques -- and soon finds himself reassigned to the toughest district in Detroit. When he discovers a group of detectives secretly operating a drug ring, Boyd joins forces with an unlikely ally -- gangster Latrell Walker -- to bring down the rotten cops.
As Good as Dead

As Good as Dead

Bryant

2022

An ex-cop in self-imposed witness protection in Mexico becomes a target when a fight video of his apprentice goes viral.
On Deadly Ground

On Deadly Ground

Oil Worker (uncredited)

1994

Forrest Taft is an environmental agent who works for the Aegis Oil Company in Alaska. Aegis Oil's corrupt CEO is the kind of person who doesn't care whether or not oil spills into the ocean or onto the land—just as long as it's making money for him.
Black Dynamite

Black Dynamite

Black Dynamite

2009

This is the story of 1970s African-American action legend Black Dynamite. The Man killed his brother, pumped heroin into local orphanages, and flooded the ghetto with adulterated malt liquor. Black Dynamite was the one hero willing to fight The Man all the way from the blood-soaked city streets to the hallowed halls of the Honky House.
Batman: Soul of the Dragon

Batman: Soul of the Dragon

Ben Turner / Bronze Tiger (voice)

2021

Bruce Wayne faces a deadly menace from his past, with the help of three former classmates: world-renowned martial artists Richard Dragon, Ben Turner and Lady Shiva.
Why Did I Get Married?

Why Did I Get Married?

Marcus

2007

Eight married college friends plus one other non-friend (all of whom have achieved middle to upper class economic status) go to Colorado for their annual week-long reunion, but the mood shifts when one couple's infidelity comes to light. As secrets are revealed, each couple begins to question their own relationship.
Black Friday

Black Friday

Archie

2021

A group of toy store employees must protect each other from a horde of parasite infected shoppers.
Don't Mess with Grandma

Don't Mess with Grandma

JT

2024

JT must fix his grandmother's leaky sink while simultaneously keeping her oblivious to a deadly home invasion.
Why Did I Get Married Too?

Why Did I Get Married Too?

Marcus

2010

Four couples reunite for their annual vacation in order to socialize and to spend time analyzing their marriages. Their intimate week in the Bahamas is disrupted by the arrival of an ex-husband determined to win back his recently remarried wife.
Outlaw Johnny Black

Outlaw Johnny Black

Outlaw Johnny Black

2023

Hell bent on avenging the death of his father, Johnny Black vows to gun down Brett Clayton and becomes a wanted man in the process while posing as a preacher in a small mining town that's been taken over by a notorious Land Baron.
Generation Iron

Generation Iron

Self

2013

Generation Iron - examines the professional sport of bodybuilding today and gives the audience front row access to the lives of the top 7 bodybuilders in the sport as they train to compete in the world's most premiere bodybuilding stage - Mr. Olympia.

Production

Blood and Bone

Blood and Bone

Co-Producer

2009

In Los Angeles, an ex-con takes the underground fighting world by storm in his quest to fulfill a promise to a dead friend.
Never Back Down: No Surrender

Never Back Down: No Surrender

Director

2016

Picking up after the events of Never Back Down 2, former MMA champion Case Walker is on the comeback trail to become champion once again.
As Good as Dead

As Good as Dead

Writer

2022

An ex-cop in self-imposed witness protection in Mexico becomes a target when a fight video of his apprentice goes viral.
On Deadly Ground

On Deadly Ground

Stunts

1994

Forrest Taft is an environmental agent who works for the Aegis Oil Company in Alaska. Aegis Oil's corrupt CEO is the kind of person who doesn't care whether or not oil spills into the ocean or onto the land—just as long as it's making money for him.
Black Dynamite

Black Dynamite

Screenplay

2009

This is the story of 1970s African-American action legend Black Dynamite. The Man killed his brother, pumped heroin into local orphanages, and flooded the ghetto with adulterated malt liquor. Black Dynamite was the one hero willing to fight The Man all the way from the blood-soaked city streets to the hallowed halls of the Honky House.
Outlaw Johnny Black

Outlaw Johnny Black

Director

2023

Hell bent on avenging the death of his father, Johnny Black vows to gun down Brett Clayton and becomes a wanted man in the process while posing as a preacher in a small mining town that's been taken over by a notorious Land Baron.