Michael Jai White

Also Known As: 麥可・傑・懷特, مایکل جای وایت

Biography: An American actor and professional martial artist who has appeared in numerous films and television series. He is the first African American to portray a major comic book superhero in a major motion picture, having starred as Al Simmons, the protagonist in the 1997 film Spawn. White was born in Brooklyn, New York and moved as a teen to Bridgeport, Connecticut, where he graduated from Central High School in 1988. White started martial arts training at the age of seven and is now an accomplished martial artist, holding seven legitimate black belts in Shotokan, Tae Kwon Do, Kobudo, Goju Ryu, Tang Soo Do, Wushu and Kyokushin, with a specific focus in Kyokushin (although his style incorporates aspects of many different martial arts forms). His first major starring role and breakout performance was in the 1995 HBO film Tyson, as heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson. In 1997, he portrayed the eponymous character in the 1997 movie Spawn. His work in Spawn earned him a nomination for the Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Best Male Newcomer. White starred opposite Jean-Claude Van Damme in Universal Soldier: The Return. 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, Justice League, and the Spawn animated series. 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. 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. White will make his directorial debut and star in Never Back Down 2, which is slated for a 2011 release. In August 2005 he wed his girlfriend of two years, Courtenay Chatman. The couple have a daughter named Morgan Michelle who was born on December 24, 2008. Michael has two sons from a previous relationship. He is an avid chess player, as seen in his movie Blood and Bone.

Department: Acting

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

Birthday: November 10, 1967

Adult: No

Gender: Male

TMDb-Id: 64856

IMDb-Id: nm0925220

Popularity:

14.21%

Known For

You're Not Alone
Spawn
Universal Soldier: The Return
Blood and Bone
Black Dynamite
Outlaw Johnny Black
Mortal Kombat: Rebirth
Why Did I Get Married Too?
Silver Hawk
Undisputed II: Last Man Standing
Ringmaster
Shaughnessy: The Iron Marshal
Why Did I Get Married?
Thick as Thieves
To Live and Die in the Midwest
Getting Played
Tyson
Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown
Tactical Force
The Island
Dead Zone
We the Party
The Making of Exit Wounds
Freaky Deaky
Generation Iron
Somebody's Child
Android Cop
Bisping
Falcon Rising
City of Industry
Mutiny
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze
MR-9: Do or Die
One More Shot
Trouble Man!
Scream Before You Die
The Toxic Avenger Part II
Pandora's Box
The Philly Kid
Skin Trade
Come Out Fighting
A Snowy Day in Oakland
Chocolate City
The Dark Knight
Exit Wounds
Freedom Song
As Good as Dead
Chain of Command
One Angry Juror
Fight Or Flight
Justice
Never Back Down: No Surrender
The Asian Connection
Captive Heart: The James Mink Story
Vigilante Diaries
Hostile Takeover
The Crooked Man
UnConventional
Ballistic
The Toxic Avenger Part III: The Last Temptation of Toxie
Don't Mess with Grandma
Breakfast of Champions
Full Contact
Triple Threat
Accident Man
S.W.A.T.: Under Siege
Dragged Across Concrete
Chocolate City: Vegas Strip
Cops and Robbers
Making a Killing
The Making of 'Spawn'
The Legend of Bruce Lee
Every Day Is Christmas
Fedz
Once Upon a Time: The Super Heroes
In Search of the Last Action Heroes
The Hard Way
Send It!
Hidden Colors 5: The Art of Black Warfare
Undercover Brother 2
Iron Fists and Kung Fu Kicks
2 Days in the Valley
True Identity
Universal Soldier
Take Back
On Deadly Ground
Batman: Soul of the Dragon
Welcome to Sudden Death
The Commando
Black Friday
Beyond the Game
Ring of Fire III: Lion Strike
Assault on VA-33
The Real Miyagi
Rogue Hostage
Drive Through Fire
Chuck Zito: An American Story
The Hit
Mortal Kombat Legacy