Michael B. Jordan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Michael B. Jordan
Jordan at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival
Born	Michael Bakari Jordan (1987-02-09) February 9, 1987 (age 38) Santa Ana, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actor producer director
Years active	1998–present

Michael Bakari Jordan (born February 9, 1987) is an American actor, producer, and director. He is famous for his roles in movies like Fruitvale Station (2013), where he played Oscar Grant. He also played the boxer Adonis Creed in Creed (2015) and the villain Erik Killmonger in Black Panther (2018). All these movies were directed by Ryan Coogler.

Michael B. Jordan also directed Creed III (2023), where he played Adonis Creed again. Before movies, he was known for TV shows. He played Wallace in The Wire (2002) and Reggie Montgomery in All My Children (2003–2006). He also starred as Vince Howard in Friday Night Lights (2009–2011).

Other movies he has been in include Chronicle (2012) and Just Mercy (2019). In Just Mercy, he played Bryan Stevenson, a real-life lawyer. In 2020 and 2023, Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world. He is also a co-owner of the English football club AFC Bournemouth.

Early Life

Michael Bakari Jordan was born on February 9, 1987, in Santa Ana, California. His parents are Donna and Michael A. Jordan. He has an older sister and a younger brother. His family lived in Santa Ana for two years. Then, they moved to Newark, New Jersey, where Michael grew up. He went to Newark Arts High School, where his mom worked as a teacher.

Becoming an Actor

How Michael B. Jordan Started Acting

Michael B. Jordan began his career as a child model. He worked for companies like Modell's Sporting Goods and Toys "R" Us. He decided to become an actor in 1999. His first small TV roles were in Cosby and The Sopranos.

In 2001, he got his first movie role in Hardball with Keanu Reeves. In 2002, he became more known for playing Wallace in the first season of the HBO show The Wire. This was a small but important role.

In 2003, he joined the TV show All My Children. He played Reggie Montgomery, a troubled teenager, until 2006. He also appeared in other TV shows like CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and Without a Trace.

Becoming a TV Star

Jordan in 2011

In 2009, Jordan started playing Vince Howard in the NBC show Friday Night Lights. He played a talented high school quarterback. He was on the show for two seasons until it ended in 2011.

In 2010, he also had a role in the NBC show Parenthood. He played Alex, a love interest for one of the main characters. This was his second time working with the show's creator, Jason Katims. Michael also voiced Jace in the video game Gears of War 3.

In 2012, he was in the movie Red Tails, produced by George Lucas. He also played the main character, Steve Montgomery, in Chronicle. This movie was about three teenage boys who get superpowers.

Breakthrough to Movie Stardom

In 2013, Michael B. Jordan starred as Oscar Grant in Fruitvale Station. This movie was directed by Ryan Coogler. Critics loved his acting, with some comparing him to a young Denzel Washington. After this role, many magazines called him an "actor to watch." Time magazine even named him one of 30 people under 30 who are changing the world.

Jordan with Sylvester Stallone and Tessa Thompson promoting Creed in 2015

In 2015, he played Johnny Storm, the Human Torch, in Fantastic Four. This movie did not do well with critics or at the box office. However, later in 2015, Jordan had a big success. He starred as Adonis Creed, the son of the famous boxer Apollo Creed, in the movie Creed. This was his second time working with director Ryan Coogler.

To prepare for Creed, Jordan trained very hard for a year. He followed a strict diet and did not use a body double for the fighting scenes. He often got bruised and dizzy during filming.

Jordan promoting Black Panther in 2017

In 2018, Jordan played the villain Erik Killmonger in the Marvel movie Black Panther. This was his third time working with Ryan Coogler. His performance was highly praised. Many critics said he "stole the show" and brought a lot of energy to the character.

Later in 2018, Jordan starred in Fahrenheit 451, a TV movie for HBO. That same year, he played Adonis Creed again in Creed II. This movie was also very successful and had a big opening weekend.

Since 2019, he has also voiced Julian Chase in the animated series Gen:Lock. He also helps produce this show. In 2019, Jordan starred in and produced Just Mercy, a legal drama based on a true story. The movie was well-received by critics. In 2021, he starred in Without Remorse, an action film based on a book by Tom Clancy.

Jordan also made a cameo in Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021). He reprised his role as Erik Killmonger in the animated series What If...? (2021) and in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022). In 2021, he starred in A Journal for Jordan, directed by Denzel Washington.

Directing and Producing

Michael B. Jordan made his debut as a director with Creed III. He also produced the movie and starred in it as Adonis Creed. It was released in March 2023. Jordan has said that directors like Ryan Coogler, Steven Spielberg, and Christopher Nolan have inspired his filmmaking.

Upcoming Projects

Jordan is set to work with Ryan Coogler again on a movie called Wrong Answer. This film is based on a real-life cheating scandal in Atlanta schools. He is also expected to direct and star in a new version of The Thomas Crown Affair.

His production company, Outlier Society, is working on a TV series for HBO Max called Val-Zod. This series will feature a Black version of the DC Comics character Superman. As of March 2022, Jordan is also set to produce and star in a sequel to the movie I Am Legend with Will Smith.

Personal Life

Michael B. Jordan has lived in Los Angeles since 2006. He grew up in a religious family and considers himself a spiritual person. In 2018, he bought a home in Sherman Oaks and lived there with his parents.

Jordan is a big fan of anime, especially Naruto: Shippuden and the Dragon Ball series. He grew up in Newark, New Jersey, and is a lifelong fan of the New York Giants football team.

In December 2022, it was announced that Jordan became a part-owner of the English football club AFC Bournemouth. He is part of a group led by American businessman Bill Foley that took over the club.

Filmography

Jordan at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival

Film

Television

Video games

Music videos

Awards and Nominations

Michael B. Jordan has won and been nominated for many awards for his acting and producing. Here are some of the notable ones:

Images for kids

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  Michael B. Jordan at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival

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  Michael B. Jordan in 2011

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  Michael B. Jordan with Sylvester Stallone and Tessa Thompson promoting Creed in November 2015

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  Michael B. Jordan promoting Black Panther at the 2017 Comic-Con International

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  Michael B. Jordan at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival

See also

In Spanish: Michael B. Jordan para niños