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1[[quoteright:284:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/michael_jai_white_3793.jpg]]
2[[caption-width-right:284:''[[Film/BlackDynamite Don't be interrupting his Kung Fu!]]"]]
3->''"I want to continue to do some great work. I'm nowhere close to where I want to be. I'm a diverse person who's trying to use his art to make the world better."''
4
5Michael Jai White (born November 10, 1967 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American actor and 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 ''{{Film/Spawn|1997}}''. White is also known for his performances as boxer Mike Tyson in the 1995 HBO television movie ''{{Film/Tyson}}'', Marcus Williams in ''Why Did I Get Married?'', ''Why Did I Get Married Too?'', and on the TBS/OWN comedy-drama television series ''Tyler Perry's For Better or Worse'', Jax Briggs in ''{{WebVideo/Mortal Kombat Legacy}}'' and the title role in ''[[Film/BlackDynamite Black]] [[WesternAnimation/BlackDynamite Dynamite]]''.
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7Prior to his acting career, he was a [[BadassTeacher teacher]] [[GeniusBruiser for special needs children.]]
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9As an accomplished martial artist, White (who started training at the age of [[Main/TykeBomb eight]]) holds black belts in eight [[{{MyKungFuIsStrongerThanYours}} different styles]]: UsefulNotes/{{Taekwondo}}, kobudo, three styles of UsefulNotes/{{Karate}} (Shotokan, Kyokushin and Goju-ryu), tang soo do, wushu and UsefulNotes/BrazilianJiuJitsu. He has a specific focus in Kyokushin (although his style incorporates aspects of many different martial arts forms) and has also trained in boxing, UsefulNotes/MuayThai and UsefulNotes/{{Kickboxing}}.
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11-----
12!!Selected Filmography
13* ''Film/TheToxicAvengerPartII''
14* ''Film/TheToxicAvengerPartIIITheLastTemptationOfToxie''
15* ''{{Film/Tyson}}''
16* ''Film/CityOfIndustry''
17* ''Film/Spawn1997''
18* ''Ringmaster''
19* ''Film/UniversalSoldierTheReturn''
20* ''Film/ExitWounds''
21* ''Silver Hawk''
22* ''Film/UndisputedIILastManStanding''
23* ''Film/WhyDidIGetMarried''
24* ''Film/TheDarkKnight''
25* ''Film/BlackDynamite''
26* ''Film/BloodAndBone''
27* ''Film/WhyDidIGetMarriedToo''
28* ''WebVideo/MortalKombatRebirth''
29* ''WebVideo/MortalKombatLegacy''
30* ''Tactical Force''
31* ''Film/NeverBackDown2''
32* ''Film/AndroidCop''
33* ''Film/SkinTrade''
34* ''Film/FalconRising''
35* ''Series/{{Arrow}}''
36* ''Film/AccidentMan''
37* ''Film/DraggedAcrossConcrete''
38----
39'''Tropes applicable to his works:'''
40* AffablyEvil: Many of his characters are definitely not on the side of the angels but he always gives them enough charisma and dark wit that they're hard not to enjoy.
41* AntiHero: His most common roles.
42* BoxingBattler: White is trained in boxing and his breakout role was playing Mike Tyson in the HBO movie ''Tyson''.
43* UsefulNotes/BrazilianJiuJitsu: He is trained extensively in BJJ and has used it in a few of his films.
44* BrooklynRage: He was born and raised in Brooklyn and his characters are definitely not to be trifled with.
45* ExtremityExtremist: His fighting style puts a lot of emphasis on kicks and he has been praised for his ability to execute complex Karate, Muay Thai and Taekwondo kicks flawlessly.
46* GeniusBruiser: His characters in ''[[AdaptiveAbility Undisputed II]]'', ''[[BatmanGambit Blood and Bone]]'' and ''[[TheChessmaster Exit Wounds]]'' are all highly intelligent individuals. He's also this in real life as he worked as a teacher for kids with special needs before his acting career took off.
47* HeroicBuild: Being an athlete and usually playing the hero (or at least a sympathetic character).
48* {{UsefulNotes/Karate}}: His fighting style mostly takes from Karate as he is trained in the Goju Ryu, Shotokan and Kyokushin disciplines with the latter being his most commonly used one.
49* LightningBruiser: Despite his size, he moves quite quickly and is very agile.
50* MrFanservice: He's jacked...and usually shows it in most of the movies he's in.
51* OlderThanTheyLook: Despite the trope below, he's this in his middle age. The man does ''not'' look 55 at all.
52* PlayingAgainstType: White is well known for playing tough, intimidating characters. So it can be quite surprising to see him as a HenpeckedHusband and ButtMonkey in ''Why Did I Get Married?''.
53* RapidFireFisticuffs: He's capable of delivering a series of devastating punches with frightening speed.
54* ScaryBlackMan: Most of his roles, no matter if they're not villains.
55* ShirtlessScene: Very often and [[MrFanservice always a welcome sight]].
56* {{UsefulNotes/Taekwondo}}: In addition to his Karate skills, he is also very skilled in Taekwondo.
57* ThoseTwoActors: Has acted in three films and one television episode with Creator/ScottAdkins.
58* UltimateShowdownOfUltimateDestiny
59** [[HollywoodCyborg Michael Jai White]] vs. [[BroughtDownToBadass Jean-Claude Van Damme]] in ''Universal Soldier: The Return''.
60** [[AntiHero Michael Jai White]] vs. Creator/ScottAdkins in ''Undisputed II Last Man Standing''.
61** [[BadassInANiceSuit Michael Jai White]] vs. [[Film/OngBak Tony Jaa]] in ''Skin Trade''.
62* WhatCouldHaveBeen: [[invoked]] Was scheduled to play Jax in ''Film/MortalKombatAnnihilation'', but could not due to conflicts with ''Film/Spawn1997''. He would eventually land the part in ''WebVideo/MortalKombatRebirth'' and ''WebVideo/MortalKombatLegacy''.

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