
Age: 58
male
Michael Jai White (born November 10, 1967) is an American actor and professional 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 was born in Brooklyn, New York and moved as a teen to Bridgeport, Connecticut, where he graduated from Central High School in 1988. White started martial arts training at the age of seven and is now an accomplished martial artist, holding seven legitimate black belts in Shotokan, Tae Kwon Do, Kobudo, Goju Ryu, Tang Soo Do, Wushu and Kyokushin, with a specific focus in Kyokushin (although his style incorporates aspects of many different martial arts forms). His first major starring role and breakout performance was in the 1995 HBO film Tyson, as heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson. In 1997, he portrayed the eponymous character in the 1997 movie Spawn. His work in Spawn earned him a nomination for the Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Best Male Newcomer. White starred opposite Jean-Claude Van Damme in Universal Soldier: The Return. In 2001, he also starred opposite fellow martial artist Steven Seagal in Exit Wounds. In 2003, he starred in Busta Rhymes' and Mariah Carey's music video "I Know What You Want". Since 2003, in addition to his on screen roles, White has been doing voice work, including Static Shock, Justice League, and the Spawn animated series. White showcases his martial arts skills in the direct-to-DVD film Undisputed II: Last Man Standing. He also appears in Michelle Yeoh's Silver Hawk in 2004. His film, Why Did I Get Married? opened at number one at the box office on October 12, 2007. White played the role of the mob boss Gambol in the 2008 film The Dark Knight. He also starred in the film Blood and Bone and the Blaxploitation homage Black Dynamite, both released in 2009. White wrote the scripts for both Black Dynamite and his upcoming 3 Bullets in which he stars with Bokeem Woodbine. White will make his directorial debut and star in Never Back Down 2, which is slated for a 2011 release. In August 2005 he wed his girlfriend of two years, Courtenay Chatman. The couple have a daughter named Morgan Michelle who was born on December 24, 2008. Michael has two sons from a previous relationship. He is an avid chess player, as seen in his movie Blood and Bone.

Michael Jai White

Papa Midnite
for Papa Midnite in Jonh Constantine: Dangerous Habits
Suggested by guilhermecustodio

John Constantine, a hard-drinking, chain-smoking con artist with supernatural abilities. As a member of a world that's divided on the role of superheroes and their powers, Constantine has always viewed himself as an outsider. But when he learns that he has lung cancer and only has a few months to live, he realizes that his soul is doomed to be claimed by the devil when he dies. With his mortality on the line, Constantine must use all of his cunning and connections to find a way to cheat death. As Constantine delves deeper into the supernatural world, he discovers that there are those who believe that superheroes are a threat to humanity. One of these individuals is a shadowy figure known only as "The Judge," who has been hunting down and punishing those who have powers. The Judge sees Constantine as a prime target, viewing him as a criminal who has abused his powers. Meanwhile, Constantine reunites with old friends and allies, including Chas Chandler, a taxi driver with an unwavering loyalty to Constantine, and Papa Midnite, the owner of a voodoo bar who owes Constantine a debt. Together, they search for a cure that will save Constantine's life and his soul. But as they get closer to the truth, they realize that there are dark forces at work, pulling the strings behind the scenes.