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
Jax Briggs (2015)
for Jax Briggs (2015) in Mortal Kombat 4
Suggested by nickienicks
Two years after the defeat of Shao Kahn, Earthrealm is attacked by Shinnok and an army of Netherrealm demons, including fallen Earthrealm warriors resurrected as revenants under Quan Chi's control. As Raiden and Fujin battle Shinnok at the Sky Temple, a strike team led by Johnny Cage, Sonya Blade, and Kenshi fights its way to the Jinsei Chamber, where Johnny awakens ancient powers while protecting his wife, Sonya. With Raiden's help, Johnny holds Shinnok back long enough for the Elder God to seize Shinnok's amulet and imprison him within it. Quan Chi escapes, but Johnny, Sonya, and Raiden pursue him into the Netherrealm, ultimately breaking his control over Scorpion, Sub-Zero, and Jax and restoring them to human form. In the years that follow, Johnny and Sonya remain married and raise their daughter Cassie, while Hanzo Hasashi rebuilds the Shirai Ryu, Kuai Liang becomes Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei, and the surviving warriors rebuild their lives after the invasion. Twenty years later, a new generation of Earthrealm fighters emerges. Twenty-one-year-old Cassie Cage leads a team with Jacqui Briggs, Takeda Takahashi, and Kung Jin, and their first mission sends them into the heart of an Outworld civil war between Mileena and Emperor Kotal Kahn. When D'Vorah betrays Kotal and steals Shinnok's amulet for Quan Chi, the young warriors become caught in a conflict threatening both realms. Jax and Kenshi launch an assault on the Netherrealm and capture Quan Chi, but Hanzo seeks revenge and inadvertently allows Quan Chi to complete the ritual that resurrects Shinnok. With Johnny captured and the Sky Temple under attack, Cassie and her team race to stop the fallen Elder God as he corrupts the Jinsei and transforms into a monstrous new form. When Cassie discovers powers inherited from her father, she defeats Shinnok, allowing Raiden to purify the Jinsei and restore Earthrealm - though the corruption leaves Raiden changed, setting the stage for a new war.
