Michael 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 Spawn. White is also known for his performances as boxer Mike Tyson in the 1995 HBO television movie 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 Mortal Kombat: Legacy and the title role in Black Dynamite.
Prior to his acting career, he was a teacher for special needs children.
As an accomplished martial artist, White (who started training at the age of eight) holds black belts in eight different styles: Taekwondo, kobudo, three styles of Karate (Shotokan, Kyokushin and Goju-ryu), tang soo do, wushu and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He has a specific focus in Kyokushin (although his style incorporates aspects of many different martial arts forms) and has also trained in boxing, Muay Thai and Kickboxing.
Selected Filmography
- The Toxic Avenger Part II
- The Toxic Avenger Part III: The Last Temptation of Toxie
- Tyson
- City of Industry
- Spawn (1997)
- Ringmaster
- Universal Soldier: The Return
- Exit Wounds
- Silver Hawk
- Undisputed II: Last Man Standing
- Why Did I Get Married?
- The Dark Knight
- Black Dynamite
- Blood and Bone
- Why Did I Get Married Too?
- Mortal Kombat: Rebirth
- Mortal Kombat: Legacy
- Tactical Force
- Never Back Down 2
- Android Cop
- Skin Trade
- Falcon Rising
- Arrow
- Accident Man
- Dragged Across Concrete
Tropes applicable to his works:
- Affably Evil: 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.
- Anti-Hero: His most common roles.
- Boxing Battler: White is trained in boxing and his breakout role was playing Mike Tyson in the HBO movie Tyson.
- Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: He is trained extensively in BJJ and has used it in a few of his films.
- Brooklyn Rage: He was born and raised in Brooklyn and his characters are definitely not to be trifled with.
- Extremity Extremist: 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.
- Genius Bruiser: His characters in Undisputed II, Blood and Bone and 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.
- Heroic Build: Being an athlete and usually playing the hero (or at least a sympathetic character).
- 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.
- Lightning Bruiser: Despite his size, he moves quite quickly and is very agile.
- Mr. Fanservice: He's jacked...and usually shows it in most of the movies he's in.
- Older Than They Look: Despite the trope below, he's this in his middle age. The man does not look 55 at all.
- Playing Against Type: White is well known for playing tough, intimidating characters. So it can be quite surprising to see him as a Henpecked Husband and Butt-Monkey in Why Did I Get Married?.
- Rapid-Fire Fisticuffs: He's capable of delivering a series of devastating punches with frightening speed.
- Scary Black Man: Most of his roles, no matter if they're not villains.
- Shirtless Scene: Very often and always a welcome sight.
- Taekwondo: In addition to his Karate skills, he is also very skilled in Taekwondo.
- Those Two Actors: Has acted in three films and one television episode with Scott Adkins.
- The Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny
- Michael Jai White vs. Jean-Claude Van Damme in Universal Soldier: The Return.
- Michael Jai White vs. Scott Adkins in Undisputed II Last Man Standing.
- Michael Jai White vs. Tony Jaa in Skin Trade.
- What Could Have Been: Was scheduled to play Jax in Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, but could not due to conflicts with Spawn (1997). He would eventually land the part in Mortal Kombat: Rebirth and Mortal Kombat: Legacy.
- Younger Than They Look: He was able to teach a martial arts class at the age of 14 because of this. Due to his deep voice and large, imposing figure, most people didn't believe he WASN'T an adult.
