Biography

Michael Jai White

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Overview

Born
November 10, 1967 · Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
Height
6′ 0½″ (1.84 m)

Mini bio

Michael Jai White 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 portrayed Jax Briggs in Mortal Kombat: Legacy (2011). White also portrayed boxer Mike Tyson in the 1995 HBO television movie Tyson.
- IMDb mini biography by: scaryofmonsters

Family

Spouses
Children

Trademarks

Muscular build
His Goatee
Deep menacing voice
Roles in action films
Tough guy attitude

Trivia

Holds black belts in following martial arts: Shotokan Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Okinawan Kobudo, Goju Ryu, Tang Soo Do, Wushu, and Kyokushin Karate.
Trained often with Jean-Claude Van Damme.
Taught emotionally disturbed children for three years
Was a teacher before he started acting.
Black belts in 7 styles of martial arts. He has 26 titles including U.S. Open, North American Open, and New England Grand Champion. Studied acting at H.B. Studio, Yale University and Brown University. Performed Off-Broadway in "Raisin in the Sun" and "To Kill a Mockingbird".

Quotes

Again, I wanted to compare myself with another martial arts icon in Steven Segal. I had worked with him three other times in the past. It is true he can be difficult at times but, I had no problem with him. He is a very gifted choreographer and technician. Dion Lam is an incredible, one of the best, fight technicians I have ever worked with. I don't prefer wire-work.
I met Jean Claude on Universal Soldier, part 1. I was "Soldier #2." Jean Claude and I trained together on that movie and always got along great. Years later, in the sequel, we got along just as well. This was the first movie where I showed a bit of my martial arts skills. Unfortunately, the script and the director were not very good. I wanted to show myself when compared to a martial arts icon like Van Damme. I achieved my purpose.
In Spawn (1997), I just auditioned and got the role. I was cast as Jax in Mortal Kombat but, New Line wanted me to play Spawn. The "star-status" thing was never difficult for me. My heroes were never actors. They were real men in the real world like senseis, police officers, and teachers. There continue to be rumors about Spawn 2, there have been for years. I spoke to Todd McFarlane months ago and I know he intends on doing a sequel. I am not sure when.
When I was young, I had a favorite movie star. One day I saw one of his movies and it was bad and he was bad in it. I could tell he didn't care and only did it for the money. I felt betrayed. I never watched another one of his movies again. To my German fans I will always do my best, no matter what. It means a lot that you believe in me. I won't let you down.