Michael Jai White
- Known For
- Acting
- Born
- November 10, 1967 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
- Active Years
- 1989–2026 (38 Years)
- Total Credits
- 151 credits in database
Biography
Michael Jai White is an American actor and professional martial artist born on November 10, 1967, in Brooklyn, New York. He spent his teenage years in Bridgeport, Connecticut, where he graduated from Central High School in 1988. White began his martial arts training at age seven and has developed into an accomplished practitioner. He currently holds seven legitimate black belts across various disciplines, including Shotokan, Tae Kwon Do, Kobudo, Goju Ryu, Tang Soo Do, Wushu, and Kyokushin. Throughout his professional life, he has established himself as a prominent figure in both film and television, maintaining a career that spans over 134 known acting credits.
Career overview
Michael Jai White has built a diverse career in the entertainment industry, appearing in numerous films and television series. He achieved a significant historical milestone in 1997 when he starred as the protagonist Al Simmons in the motion picture Spawn. This role marked the first time an African-American actor portrayed a major comic book superhero in a major motion picture. His work continues to reach audiences through his extensive filmography and ongoing projects within the industry.
Beyond his established body of work, White remains an active participant in cinema. His career trajectory includes upcoming contributions to major biographical projects, such as his involvement in the 2026 film Michael, which focuses on the life and legacy of Michael Jackson. With over 134 known credits to his name, White leverages his background as a martial artist to inform his performances, maintaining a consistent presence in the acting world.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
151 titles- Oscar Shaw (2026) as Oscar Shaw
- The Secret Between Us (2026) as Jack Frazier
- Special Op: Rent-a-Cop (2026) as Brock Belfry
- Why Did I Get Married Again? (2026) as Marcus
- Exit Protocol (2025) as Isaac Florentine
- Hostile Takeover (2025) as Pete
- Trouble Man (2025) as Jaxen
- Trouble Man (2025) Writer
- Trouble Man (2025) Director
- One More Shot (2024) as Robert Jackson
- Don't Mess with Grandma (2024) as JT
- Chuck Zito: An American Story (2024) as Self
- Scream Before You Die (2024) as Joe Washington
- MR-9: Do or Die (2023) as Duke
- The Island (2023) as Mark
- Come Out Fighting (2023) as Sergeant AJ 'Red' McCarron
- Outlaw Johnny Black (2023) as Outlaw Johnny Black
- Outlaw Johnny Black (2023) Director
- Outlaw Johnny Black (2023) Writer
- Outlaw Johnny Black (2023) Producer
- You're Not Alone (2023) as Keith Mitchell
- A Snowy Day in Oakland (2023) as Reverend Carter
- The Hanged Man: The Story of Ron Van Clief (2023) as Himself
- Dead Zone (2022) as Boss
- Kingdom Business (2022) as Julius “Caesar” Jones
- As Good as Dead (2022) as Bryant
- As Good as Dead (2022) Producer
- As Good as Dead (2022) Writer
- The Commando (2022) as James Baker
- The Commando (2022) Executive Producer
- The Hit (2022) as Brooke
- Batman: Soul of the Dragon (2021) as Ben Turner / Bronze Tiger (voice)
- Rogue Hostage (2021) as Sparks
- Black Friday (2021) as Archie
- Assault on VA-33 (2021) as Chief Malone
- Take Back (2021) as Brian
- Send It! (2021) as Coach
- Bisping (2021) as Self
- The Art of Action (2020) as Self
- Welcome to Sudden Death (2020) as Jesse Freeman
- Dragged Across Concrete (2019) as 'Biscuit'
- Triple Threat (2019) as Devereaux
- The Hard Way (2019) as Payne
- Undercover Brother 2 (2019) as Undercover Brother / Narrator
- Iron Fists and Kung Fu Kicks (2019) as Self
- In Search of the Last Action Heroes (2019) as Self
- Hidden Colors 5: The Art of Black Warfare (2019) as Self
- Carl Weber's The Family Business (2018) as Vegas Duncan
- Accident Man (2018) as Mick
- Making a Killing (2018) as Orlando Hudson
- Every Day Is Christmas (2018) as Justin
- S.W.A.T.: Under Siege (2017) as Scorpion
- Cops and Robbers (2017) as Michael
- Insecure (2016) as Zeke
- Never Back Down: No Surrender (2016) as Case Walker
- Never Back Down: No Surrender (2016) Writer
- Never Back Down: No Surrender (2016) Director
- Vigilante Diaries (2016) as Barrington
- The Asian Connection (2016) as Greedy Greg
- The Crooked Man (2016) as Milo
- Chocolate City: Vegas Strip (2016) as Princeton
- Chain of Command (2015) as James Webster
- Chocolate City (2015) as Princeton
- The Real Miyagi (2015) as Self
- black-ish (2014) as Vincent
- Skin Trade (2014) as Reed
- Falcon Rising (2014) as John 'Falcon' Chapman
- Android Cop (2014) as Hammond
- Beyond the Game (2014) as Himself
- Teen Titans Go! (2013) as Don Jackson (voice)
- Generation Iron (2013) as Self
- Fedz (2013) as Big D
- Arrow (2012) as Ben Turner / Bronze Tiger
- Arrow (2012) as Ben Turner
- Black Dynamite (2012) as Black Dynamite
- Black Dynamite (2012) Creator
- Freaky Deaky (2012) as Donnell Lewis
- Metal Hurlant Chronicles (2012) as Teague
- Metal Hurlant Chronicles (2012) as Balt
- The Philly Kid (2012) as Arthur Letts
- We the Party (2012) as Officer Davis
- Somebody's Child (2012) as Douglas
- Tyler Perry's For Better or Worse (2011) as Marcus Williams
- Mortal Kombat: Legacy (2011) as Major Jackson 'Jax' Briggs
- Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown (2011) as Case Walker
- Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown (2011) Director
- Tactical Force (2011) as Hunt
- Why Did I Get Married Too? (2010) as Marcus
- One Angry Juror (2010) as Derrick
- Mortal Kombat: Rebirth (2010) as Jackson Briggs
- Blood and Bone (2009) as Isaiah Bone
- Blood and Bone (2009) Co-Producer
- Black Dynamite (2009) as Black Dynamite
- Black Dynamite (2009) Screenplay
- The Legend of Bruce Lee (2009) as Ali
- The Dark Knight (2008) as Gambol
- Batman: The Brave and the Bold (2008) as Tattooed Man (voice)
- The Legend of Bruce Lee (2008) as Ali
- PVC-1 (2008) Executive Producer
- Why Did I Get Married? (2007) as Marcus
- Undisputed II: Last Man Standing (2006) as George Chambers
- Windfall (2006) as Michael
- Getting Played (2005) as Actor
- Justice League Unlimited (2004) as Doomsday (voice)
- Clubhouse (2004) as Ellis Hayes
- UnConventional (2004) as Self
- Silver Hawk (2004) as Morris
- Justice (2003) as Tre
- CSI: Miami (2002) as Roy Bailey
- Pandora's Box (2002) as Hampton Hines
- The Making of Exit Wounds (2002) as Self
- Justice League (2001) as Doomsday (voice)
- Exit Wounds (2001) as Lewis Strutt
- Once Upon a Time: The Super Heroes (2001) as Spawn (archive footage)
- Boston Public (2000) as Darren Schofield
- Static Shock (2000) as Osebo (voice)
- Wonderland (2000) as Derrick Hatcher
- Freedom Song (2000) as Coleman Vaughnes
- Universal Soldier: The Return (1999) as SETH
- Thick as Thieves (1999) as Pointy
- Breakfast of Champions (1999) as Howell
- Mutiny (1999) as Ben Cooper
- Ringmaster (1998) as Demond
- Spawn (1997) as Al Simmons / Spawn
- City of Industry (1997) as Odell Williams
- The Making of 'Spawn' (1997) as Self
- 2 Days in the Valley (1996) as Buck
- Captive Heart: The James Mink Story (1996) as Elroy
- Shaughnessy: The Iron Marshal (1996) as Carpenter
- JAG (1995) as Peter Quinn / Martin Payne
- Ring of Fire III: Lion Strike (1995) as Silvio
- Ballistic (1995) as Quint
- Tyson (1995) as Mike Tyson
- On Deadly Ground (1994) as Oil Worker (uncredited)
- On Deadly Ground (1994) Stunts
- Living Single (1993) as Steve
- Full Contact (1993) as Low-Ball
- Renegade (1992) as Luther - Dawn's boyfriend
- Martin (1992) as Valdez
- Universal Soldier (1992) as Soldier
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze (1991) as Audience Man
- True Identity (1991) as Alley Guy #1
- Saved by the Bell (1989) as Military Police Man #2 (uncredited)
- The Toxic Avenger Part III: The Last Temptation of Toxie (1989) as Apocalypse, Inc. Executive
- The Toxic Avenger Part II (1989) as Apocalypse Inc. Executive
- Paper Made
- Spymasters
- The Hook as Malcolm Miller
- Karate Ghost
- Drive Through Fire
- To Live and Die in the Midwest
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Michael Jai White best known for?
Michael Jai White is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Oscar Shaw (2026), Special Op: Rent-a-Cop (2026), Why Did I Get Married Again? (2026), Exit Protocol (2025).
When and where was Michael Jai White born?
Michael Jai White was born on November 10, 1967 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA.
How many credits does Michael Jai White have?
Michael Jai White has accumulated over 151 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1989 to 2026.
What is Michael Jai White's background in cinema and television?
Michael Jai White is an American actor and professional martial artist born on November 10, 1967, in Brooklyn, New York. He spent his teenage years in Bridgeport, Connecticut, where he graduated from Central High School in 1988. White began his martial arts training at age seven and has developed into an accomplished p...
Michael Jai White by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Carl Weber's The Family Business (2018) as Vegas Duncan — aged about 50
- The Dark Knight (2008) as Gambol — aged about 40
- Justice League Unlimited (2004) as Doomsday (voice) — aged about 36
- Justice League (2001) as Doomsday (voice) — aged about 33
- Living Single (1993) as Steve — aged about 25
- Static Shock (2000) as Osebo (voice) — aged about 32
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