Michael Jai White: biography and filmography

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Martial arts professional and good actor Michael Jai White broke all the stereotypes of Hollywood and became a real sensation in the world of cinema. Bright and extraordinary, with a magnificent physique, he earned respect not only on the screen, but also in life, and all thanks to his versatile talents. Read about the biography and filmography of the actor in our article. Start your acquaintance with his work with the most interesting and popular films and series.

Michael Jay: biography

The future actor, producer and screenwriter was born on November 10, 1967 in one of the poorest areas of Brooklyn. According to M. Jay himself, his interest in martial arts appeared after watching the film "Five Fingers of Death" at the age of five. Two years later, he was already actively and purposefully mastering jiu-jitsu. When he was eight years old, the family moved to the neighboring state - Connecticut (Bridgeport). At the new school, he began to study karate, and, I must say, the process was very successful, because by the age of 13 the teenager already had his first black belt. The main style that Michael Jay owns is kyokushin, which, however, includes elements of various martial arts.

Within three years of college graduation actorworked in a special school for children with emotional disorders as a simple teacher. It was at this time that he began to receive the first job offers in film and television.

The actor has two children and is married to American actress Gillian Waters. The couple held a private wedding ceremony in 2015 in Thailand (pictured above). The actress has children from her first marriage.

Movie career

While still in college, Michael began to participate in auditions for shooting in commercials, as well as in TV shows and even received a few cameo roles in the movies. In the end, he decided to leave his job and move to Los Angeles to pursue his acting career in full force.

The first films with the participation of Michael Jai White were not particularly popular, however, initially he did not aspire to dramatic roles. However, with his participation in them, he established himself well as a professional in the field of martial arts. Success and popularity brought him the television film "Tyson", which tells about the life of the famous boxer. With this role, M. White seems to have consolidated his status as a versatile actor. Later, his amazing charisma and even comedic abilities appeared on the screen, which is especially noticeable in such films as “Why am I married?” and "Why are we getting married again?"

After he realized and established himself as an actor, White decided to move to a new level - directing and writing scripts. Both of which he succeeds with great success. At presentMichael Jai White's impressive filmography includes 78 acting credits, 4 screenplays, 4 production credits, 2 directing credits, and active participation in TV shows and series as himself.

Films with really good scenes reflecting perfected martial arts skills are, frankly, a rarity, as is the number of actors with such abilities. Michael Jai White (pictured below is an actor with his family at one of the premieres) is talented, not only in the action movie genre, but also in a dramatic role. To make sure of this, we offer you a selection of films with his participation.

Tyson

A film about the legend of world boxing, which served as a runway for an equally talented athlete, was released on the HBO channel in 1995. The life story of American heavyweight boxer Michael Tyson unfolds on the screen, revealing the most ugly and dark sides of his past. By adolescence, he already had about 40 police drives. The plot is largely based on the book "Fire and Fear". Sports and the coach who adopted Tyson after the death of his mother literally "pulled" him off the streets.

The image of a boxer on the screen was brilliantly embodied by Michael Jai White. Also starring Paul Winfield, George Q. Scott. Spectators and critics unanimously noted the amazing external similarity of White and Tyson, which brought even more realism to the picture.

After 13 years, the actor will return to the theme of boxing, this time as the legendary Muhammad Ali in the biographical television series The Legend ofBruce Lee.”

Spawn

Designed by Canadian writer and artist T. McFarlane, the mystical superhero Spawn is one of IGN's top 100 comic book characters of all time, ranked 36. In 1997, based on the magazines, a full-length film was shot, where M. White played the main role. The black superhero at that time looked somewhat non-standard and original. According to the plot of the picture, the main character is killed by his own military commander. Dreaming of going back and seeing his own wife at least once more, he makes a deal with the devil. However, once on the ground, he realizes that he is not ready to comply with its conditions…

Undisputed 2

The actor has marked many films with his participation. Michael Jai White starred this time as well. Undeniable 2 is the sequel to Out of Negotiation, directed by Isaac Florentine.

A dynamic film about a former world boxing champion who travels to Russia to shoot a commercial. At the hotel, drugs are planted on him, as a result, the main character ends up in a prison, famous for the fact that fights are held in it for the sake of entertainment. Absolutely everything is involved: from big bosses to serious crime bosses. Not only freedom, but also life is at stake.

"Why are we getting married?" and “Why are we getting married again?”

Comedy melodrama released in 2007 and 2010, respectively. The focus is on a group of friends, consisting of four couples. Every year they get together in the same house to have fun andrelax. However, this time things went a little differently. A tense atmosphere, problems - all this suggests that the time has come to sort out the looming crises of relationships and the sincerity of the feelings of the spouses in each couple. The plot of the second film is very similar, only the action takes place not in the mountains, but in the hot Bahamas.

If you want to watch films with Michael Jay White (pictured above, the actor is pictured with partners on the set) without a hint of spectacular fights and martial arts, then this is what you need. It is interesting to watch his amazing charisma and talent for comedy acting.

Blood and Bone

In 2009, a new thriller with elements of drama was released, which led fans of Michael Jai White to complete delight. Still would! Spectacular, full of fight scenes, demonstrating the actor's excellent physical training, his mastery of martial arts techniques … The plot is centered on a young street fighter who has recently been released from prison. In order to fulfill his promise to a friend, he begins to take an active part in unofficial competitions, challenging the most desperate and cruel gangsters. However, they also have certain views on him.

Black Dynamite

A movie in which Michael Jai White appears in an unusual and interesting way. Stylized as a 1970s action comedy about a secret agent nicknamed Black Dynamite. When the streets of the African American ghetto begin to control the Italian mafia, distributing drugs andsmuggled alcohol, he takes the process of release into his own hands. The reason for the drastic measures was the murder of his brother. "Black Dynamite" is filled with memorable and colorful fight scenes, and is also replete with beauties that the protagonist manages to seduce on the way to victory. Classic cinema in the spirit of Blaxploitation.

In the same 2009, an animated television series based on the film was released on TV screens, which was very ambiguously received by critics. Aimed at adults, it contained gory scenes, violent fights, and violence. M. D. White took part in the voice acting of his character.

Good or bad

The American comedy-drama series premiered on TBS on November 25, 2011. The idea is based on the films “Why are we getting married?” described above. and "Why are we getting married again?". The plot revolves around three married couples experiencing periods of ups and downs at various stages of the development of relationships. The series is aimed at a younger audience. Literally from the first episodes, his ratings became the best on television. In addition to M. D. White, the main roles are played by Tasha Smith, Jason Olive, Coco Brown, Krist Stewart, Kent Falcon. The viewer liked the series, but the reviews from critics were very mixed. The Boston Weekly called it an explosive mix of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf and Dynasty projects.

Slave Trade

It's no secret that now many eminent actors not only act in films, but also write scripts for them, produce them. An example that everyone haslanguage, - the trilogy "The Expendables" from S. Stallone. The action movie star of the 90s, D. Lundgren, also decided to keep up and in 2014 made the film “The Slave Trade”, inviting M. D. White to one of the main roles. The picture touches on the theme of the black market, but not simple, but trading in human organs, which is doubly terrible. Like a ball, the events of an almost perfect crime unfold in front of a detective investigating the murder of a girl. In the struggle for justice, he will have to enter into a deadly fight, it is almost impossible to stay alive in this unequal battle. Pictured below is M. White and Dolph Lundgren during filming.

Among the actor's works in 2016, participation in such projects as "Chocolate City", "Execution of Order", "Asian Connection", "Never Back Down 3" should be noted.

In the field of martial arts, Michael Jay (photos are presented in the article) reached a very high level, having received the eighth black belt in 2013 from the hands of his mentor, the legendary and invincible Bill Wallace, nicknamed Superleg - kickboxing champion. The actor continues the great legacy of Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, Jackie Chan, Jean-Claude Vann Dama and is America's number one martial arts star.