Michael J. White: biography and filmography

A martial arts professional and good actor Michael J. White broke all the stereotypes of Hollywood and became a sensation in the world of cinema. Bright and extraordinary, with a magnificent physique, he earned respect not only on the screen, but in life, and all thanks to his versatile talents. Read about the biography and filmography of the actor in our article. Start acquaintance with his work with the most interesting and popular films and serials.

Michael J.: Biography

The future actor, producer and screenwriter was born on November 10, 1967 in one of the poor areas of Brooklyn. According to M.Jay himself, his interest in martial arts appeared after watching the film "Five Fingers of Death" at the age of five. Two years later, he was already actively and purposefully mastering ju-jitsu. When he was eight years old, the family moved to the neighboring state of Connecticut (Bridgeport). In the new school, he started studying karate, and I must say, the process was very successful, because by the age of 13 the teenager already had his first black belt. The basic style that Michael Jay owns is the Kyokushinkai, which, incidentally, includes elements of various martial arts.

For three years after graduating from college, the actor worked in a special school for children with emotional disabilities as a simple teacher. It was at this time that he began to receive the first proposals for work in film and television.

The actor has two children, is married to American actress Gillian Waters. The couple held a closed wedding ceremony in 2015 in Thailand (pictured above). The actress has children from her first marriage.

Career in cinema

Even while studying at college, Michael began to participate in casting for shooting in commercials, as well as in a TV show and even got a few episodic roles in the movies. Eventually, he decided to quit his job and move to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career in full force.

The first films with the participation of Michael J. White were not particularly popular, however, initially he did not aspire to dramatic roles. However, by their participation in them, he proved himself to be a professional in the field of martial arts. Success and popularity brought him the television movie "Tyson", which tells of the life of the famous boxer. This role M. White as if confirmed his status as a diverse actor. Later on the screen showed his amazing charisma and even comedy abilities, which is especially noticeable in such films as "Why am I married?" And "Why do we marry again?", "End-to-end wounds", etc.

After he realized and established himself as an actor, White decided to move to a new level - directing and writing scripts. And he succeeds very successfully both. At the moment the impressive filmography of Michael Jay White includes 78 acting works, 4 scenarios, 4 producer and 2 director's works, as well as active participation in TV shows and serials in the role of himself.

Films with really successful scenes reflecting the honed martial arts skills are, frankly, rare, as well as the number of actors with similar abilities. Michael J. White (in the photo below - an actor with his family on one of the prime ministers) is talented, not only in the genre of the action movie, but also in a dramatic role. To see this, we offer you a selection of films with his participation.

Tyson

A film about the legend of world boxing, which served as a runway for no less talented athlete, was released on the IEE in 1995. On the screen unfolds the story of the life of American heavyweight boxer Michael Tyson, revealing the most unsightly and dark sides of his past. By adolescence, he already had about 40 drives to the police. The plot is largely built on the book "Fire and Fear". Sports and coach, who adopted Tyson after his mother's death, literally "pulled" him off the streets.

The image of the boxer on the screen was brilliantly embodied by Michael J. White. Starring also starred Paul Winfield, George C. Scott. Spectators and critics unanimously noted the amazing external similarity between White and Tyson, which brought the picture even more realistic.

After 13 years, the actor will once again return to the topic of boxing, this time in the role of the legendary Mohammed Ali in the biographical television series "The Legend of Bruce Lee."

Spawn

Invented by the Canadian screenwriter and artist T. MacFarlane, the mysterious superhero, Spaun is one of the top 100 comic book characters of all time, according to the IGN website, which takes 36th place. In 1997, based on the magazines, a feature film was shot, with M. White as the main character. Dark-skinned superhero at that time looked in some way non-standard and original. According to the plot, the main character is killed by his own military commander. Dreaming to go back and see at least once again with his own wife, he makes a deal with the devil. However, after hitting the ground, he realizes that he is not ready to comply with its terms ...

"Indisputable 2"

The actor noted with his participation many films. In the title role, Michael J. White starred and this time. The action "Undisputed 2" is the sequel to "No discussion", the director is Isaac Florentine. Dynamic tape tells about the former world boxing champion, who goes to Russia for shooting in advertising. In the hotel, drugs are thrown at him, as a result, the protagonist gets to prison, famous for the fact that for the sake of entertainment, fights are held in it. Everyone is mixed up: from big bosses to serious criminal authorities. At stake is not only freedom, but also life.

"Why do we marry?" And "Why do we marry again?"

Comedy melodramas of 2007 and 2010 respectively. The company of friends, consisting of four married couples, is in the center of attention. Every year they come together in the same house to have fun and relax. However, this time everything went a little differently. Tense atmosphere, problems - all this means that it's time to sort out the maturing crises of relationships and sincerity of the feelings of the spouses in each pair. The plot of the second film is very similar, only the action takes place not in the mountains, but in hot Bahamas.

If you want to watch movies with Michael Jay White (pictured above, the actor is depicted with partners on the set) without a hint of spectacular fights and martial arts, this is what you need. It's interesting to watch his amazing charisma and talent for comedy.

"Blood and bone"

In 2009, a new action movie with elements of drama appeared on the screens, which brought fans of Michael Jay White to the full delight. Still would! Spectacular, full of scenes with fights, demonstrating the excellent physical preparation of the actor, his mastery of martial arts techniques ... In the center of the plot is a young street fighter recently released from prison. In order to fulfill a promise to a friend, he begins to take an active part in informal competitions, challenging the most desperate and cruel gangsters. However, they also have certain types of it.

«Black dynamite»

A movie in which Michael J. White appears in an unusual and interesting way. Stylized as a 70-ies of the last century, a comic thriller about a secret agent nicknamed Black Dynamite. When the streets of the African-American ghetto begin to control the Italian mafia, spreading drugs and smuggled alcohol, he takes the process of liberation into his own hands. The reason for the radical measures was the murder of his brother. "Black dynamite" is filled with memorable and colorful scenes of fights, and also replete with beauties, which the seductive character succeeds in seducing on the way to victory. A classic movie in the spirit of Blaxploitation.

In the same 2009, the animated television series based on the film, which was very ambiguously received by critics, appeared on TV screens. Oriented to adults, he contained bloody scenes, violent fights and violence. M.D. White took part in the voice acting of his character.

"Is it good or bad"

The comedy-dramatic American TV series was released on the TBS channel on November 25, 2011. The idea is based on the films "Why are we getting married?" And "Why do we marry again?" The plot spins around three married couples who comprehend periods of rise and fall at various stages of the development of relations. The series is aimed at a young audience. Literally from the first series his ratings have become the best on television. In addition to MD White, the main roles are played by Tasha Smith, Jason Olive, Coco Brown, Christ Stewart, Kent Falcon. The audience liked the show, but the critics' responses were very mixed. The Boston weekly called it a rattling mixture of projects "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" and "Dynasty."

"Slave trade"

It's no secret that now many eminent actors not only appear in films, but also write scripts to them, produce them. An example that everyone in the language - the trilogy "The Expendables" from S. Stallone. The star of the militants of the 90s D. Lundgren decided not to lag behind, and in 2014 he shot the film "Slave Trade", having invited M. White to one of the main roles. The picture touches the theme of the black market, and not simply, but selling human organs, which is doubly more frightening. Like a ball, unfold before a detective investigating the murder of a girl, the events of an almost perfect crime. In the struggle for justice, he will have to engage in a deadly battle, it is almost impossible to remain alive in this unequal battle. In the photo below, M. White with Dolph Lundgren during the filming.

Among the works of the actor in 2016, it is worth noting participation in such projects as "Chocolate City", "Execution of the Order", "Asian Communications", "Never Give Up 3".

In the field of martial arts, Michael Jay (pictured in the article) reached a very high level, having received in the year of the eighth black belt from the hands of his mentor, the legendary and unbeaten Bill Woels, nicknamed Superfoot, the champion in kickboxing. The actor continues the great legacy of Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, Jackie Chan, Jean-Claude Vann Dame and is the number one martial arts star in America.