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
Optimus Prime
for Optimus Prime in Optimus Prime Solo Movie Phase ,1 Movie 3
Suggested by efrainflores
After BumbleBee & the AutoBots Left CyberTron. Optimus gets Over-powered by the Decepticons. He is taken to their Leader, MegaTron. He refuses to tell wants to know where the AutoBots are going. He sends Shatter & DropKick, to find them. Before getting executed by MegaTron, Elita One (His Love), Ultra Magnus (his brother) & more AutoBots break-in & save Optimus. They take him to an AutoBot Hideout, and tell him that there is another way off CyberTron. Flashbacks to Optimus' past, when he was named Orion Pax. Showing Optimus become a student for Alpha Trion. Showing his relationship with the 12 Primes, Elita (Ariel), Magnus, & his once great friend, MegaTron (who went by the name Megatronus, after the once Fallen Prime). Alpha Trion teaches Optimus the ways of a Prime, showing him a Primes' greatest virtues, Optimism & The Touch. Orion becomes Optimus Prime & gains the Matrix of Leadership (which is what present MegaTron wants). MegaTronous becomes Jealous, & showing his rise to become MegaTron, the leader of the Decpticons. Also at this time, he shoots Ariel, Optimus brings her to Alpha Trion & repairs her. But says she has a special power source keeping her alive, but also kills her if she uses it. In present time, The AutoBots arrive to their destination. A battle ensues, Ultra Magnus leaves with the AutoBots. Optimus finds an escape pod, but Elita is lost, & sees what he thinks is Elita using her power.
