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Michael B. Jordan
2018-05-12- Cannes-L'acteur Michael B. Jordan-2721 (42075892224).jpg
Jordan at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival
Born
Michael Bakari Jordan

(1987-02-09) February 9, 1987 (age 37)
Occupation
  • Actor
  • producer
Years active 1998–present

Michael Bakari Jordan ( bah-KAR-ee; born February 9, 1987) is an American actor. He is best known for his film roles in the drama Fruitvale Station (2013), Creed (2015), and Black Panther (2018), all of which were written and directed by Ryan Coogler. Jordan reprised his role of Creed in Creed II (2018) and Creed III (2023); the latter also marked his directorial debut.

Jordan initially broke out in television, playing Wallace in the first season of the HBO crime drama series The Wire (2002). He went on to play Reggie Montgomery on the ABC soap opera All My Children (2003–2006) and Vince Howard in the NBC sports drama series Friday Night Lights (2009–2011). His other films include Chronicle (2012), That Awkward Moment (2014), Fantastic Four (2015), and Just Mercy (2019), in which he portrayed Bryan Stevenson. He has also starred in and produced the HBO film Fahrenheit 451 (2018), for which he was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Television Movie.

Jordan was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2020 and 2023. Also in 2020, The New York Times ranked him 15th on its list of the 25 greatest actors of the 21st century. Jordan is also a co-owner of English Premier League football club AFC Bournemouth.

Early life

Michael Bakari Jordan was born on February 9, 1987, in Santa Ana, California, to Donna and Michael A. Jordan. He has an older sister and a younger brother. His family lived in Santa Ana, CA for two years before moving to Newark, NJ where Jordan grew up. He attended Newark Arts High School, where his mother worked as a teacher, and where he also played basketball.

Career

1999–2008: Beginnings

Jordan worked as a child model for several companies and brands, including Modell's Sporting Goods and Toys "R" Us, before deciding to embark on a career as an actor. He launched his career as a professional actor in 1999, when he appeared briefly in single episodes of the television series Cosby and The Sopranos. His first principal film role followed in 2001 when he was featured in Hardball, which starred Keanu Reeves. In 2002, he gained more attention by playing the small but pivotal role of Wallace in the first season of HBO's The Wire.

In March 2003, he joined the cast of All My Children, replacing Chadwick Boseman, playing Reggie Montgomery, a troubled teenager, until June 2006 when Jordan was released from his contract. Jordan's other credits include guest starring appearances on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Without a Trace and Cold Case. Thereafter, he had a lead role in the independent film Blackout and starred in The Assistants on The-N. In 2008, Jordan appeared in the music video "Did You Wrong" by R&B artist Pleasure P.

2009–2012: Friday Night Lights and Parenthood

Michael B. Jordan 2011 (cropped)
Jordan in 2011

In 2009, Jordan began starring in the NBC drama Friday Night Lights as quarterback Vince Howard, and lived in an apartment in Austin where the show was filmed. He played the character for two seasons until the show ended in 2011. In 2009, he guest-starred on Burn Notice in the episode "Hot Spot", playing a high school football player who got into a fight and is being hunted by a local gangster. In 2010, he was considered one of the 55 faces of the future by Nylon Magazine's Young Hollywood Issue.

In 2010, he guest-starred in the Law & Order: Criminal Intent episode "Inhumane Society" as a boxer involved in a Michael Vick-inspired dog fighting scandal. That year, he landed a recurring role on the NBC show Parenthood playing Alex (Haddie Braverman's love interest). This marked his second collaboration with showrunner Jason Katims, who was in charge of Friday Night Lights. Jordan voiced Jace in the Xbox 360 game Gears of War 3. In 2012, Jordan appeared in the George Lucas-produced film Red Tails and played lead character Steve Montgomery in Chronicle, a film about three teenaged boys who develop superhuman abilities. He also guest-starred in an episode of House's final season, playing a blind patient.

2013–present: Breakthrough

In 2013, Jordan starred as Oscar Grant in Fruitvale Station, directed by Ryan Coogler. His performance garnered critical acclaim, with Todd McCarthy of The Hollywood Reporter stating that Jordan reminded him of "a young Denzel Washington". Following his role in Fruitvale Station, Jordan was named an "actor to watch" by People and Variety. Time magazine named him with Coogler one of 30 people under 30 who are changing the world, and he was also named one of 2013's breakout stars by Entertainment Weekly and GQ.

Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson, and Michael B. Jordan promoting Creed at the Philadelphia Art Museum
Jordan alongside Sylvester Stallone and Tessa Thompson promoting Creed in November 2015

In 2015, he starred as Johnny Storm, the Human Torch, in Fantastic Four. The film was universally panned by critics, holding a 9% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and was a bust at the box office. However, later in 2015, Jordan rebounded with critical acclaim when he starred as Donnie Creed, the son of boxer Apollo Creed in the seventh Rocky film, Creed, his second collaboration with Coogler, which co-starred Sylvester Stallone. Jordan prepared for his role as a boxer in Creed by undertaking one year of rigorous physical training and a stringent low-fat diet. He did not have a body double during filming and was "routinely bloodied, bruised, and dizzy" when fighting scenes were being filmed.

In 2016, Jordan featured in the popular sports game NBA 2K17, portraying Justice Young, a teammate of the player in the game's MyCareer mode. In October 2017, it was announced that Jordan was cast in a supporting role as Mark Reese in the upcoming Netflix superhero series Raising Dion. In February 2018, Jordan starred as the villain Erik Killmonger in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film Black Panther; this marked Jordan's third collaboration with Coogler. His performance in Black Panther received critical acclaim, with Dani Di Placido of Forbes stating that Jordan "steals the show", while Jason Guerrasio of Business Insider wrote that the actor "plays a Killmonger fueled with hate and emptiness – we won't give away why – but he also delivers it with a swagger that's just a joy to watch ... the movie takes off more in story and viewing enjoyment whenever Jordan is on screen."

Later in 2018, Jordan starred in Fahrenheit 451 with Michael Shannon and Sofia Boutella. The television film was distributed on HBO by HBO Films. That same year, Jordan reprised his role as boxer Donnie Creed in Creed II, a sequel to Creed (2015) and the eighth installment in the Rocky film series. Creed II was released in the United States by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer on November 21, 2018. The film received generally positive reviews from critics and it went on to debut to $35.3 million in its opening weekend (a five-day total of $55.8 million), marking the biggest debut ever for a live-action release over Thanksgiving.

He also voices the character Julian Chase in Rooster Teeth's animated series Gen:Lock, which he also co-produces through his production company, Outlier Society Productions since January 2019. Jordan portrayed attorney Bryan Stevenson in a legal drama, Just Mercy, which he also co-produced. The film, based on a real-life story, was released in December 2019 to critical acclaim. Jordan stars in Without Remorse, based on the book by Tom Clancy, as John Clark, a former Navy SEAL and director of the elite counterterrorism unit Rainbow Six. Originally planned for release on September 18, 2020, it was released on April 30, 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jordan reprised his MCU role as Erik "Killmonger" Stevens in two episodes of the first season of What If...? (2021), and in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), and made a cameo appearance in Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021). He also starred in A Journal for Jordan (2021), directed by Denzel Washington, as a soldier who "kept a journal full of poignant life lessons for their newborn son, Jordan, while deployed overseas." Jordan made his directorial debut with Creed III, a sequel to Creed II, in addition to producing and reprising his starring role as boxer Adonis Creed. It was released on March 3, 2023.

Upcoming projects

He is slated to reteam with Coogler for the fourth time in Wrong Answer, a film based on the Atlanta Public Schools cheating scandal. Jordan is also set to appear in a second remake of The Thomas Crown Affair. Jordan is also set to appear in the vampire film Blood Brothers. His production company Outlier Society signed a first look deal with Amazon, and is also developing Val-Zod, an HBO Max series featuring a Black version of the DC Comics character Superman.

As of March 2022, Jordan will produce and star in the sequel of I Am Legend with Will Smith.

Personal life

Jordan has resided in Los Angeles since 2006. He grew up in a religious household and considers himself to be spiritual. As of 2018, he lives with his parents in a Sherman Oaks home that he purchased. Jordan is also a fan of anime, particularly Naruto: Shippuden and the Dragon Ball franchise. Jordan grew up in Newark, New Jersey and is a lifelong fan of the New York Giants.

In November 2020, the actor began dating model Lori Harvey, daughter of comedian Steve Harvey. In June 2022, it was announced that the couple had ended their relationship.

Sports ownership

In December 2022, Jordan was announced as part-owner of English football club AFC Bournemouth. The club was taken over by the consortium group the Black Knights Football Club led by fellow American Businessman William Foley. Jordan led the minority ownership group with Kosmos Founder Nullah Sarker.

Filmography

TIFF 2019 just mercy (1 of 1)-2 (48690780886) (cropped)
Jordan at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2001 Hardball Jamal
2007 Blackout C.J.
2009 Pastor Brown Tariq Brown
2012 Red Tails Maurice "Bumps" Wilson
Chronicle Steve Montgomery
Hotel Noir Leon
2013 Fruitvale Station Oscar Grant
Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox Victor Stone / Cyborg Voice, direct-to-video
2014 That Awkward Moment Mikey
2015 Fantastic Four Johnny Storm / Human Torch
Creed Adonis "Donnie" Creed
2018 Black Panther Erik "Killmonger" Stevens
Kin Male Cleaner Cameo; also executive producer
Creed II Adonis "Donnie" Creed
2019 Just Mercy Bryan Stevenson Also producer
2021 Without Remorse John Clark Also producer
Space Jam: A New Legacy Himself Cameo
A Journal for Jordan Charles Monroe King Also producer
2022 Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Erik "Killmonger" Stevens Cameo
2023 Creed III Adonis "Donnie" Creed Also director and producer

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1999 The Sopranos Rideland Kid Episode: "Down Neck"
Cosby Mike Episode: "The Vesey Method"
2002 The Wire Wallace 12 episodes
2003–2006 All My Children Reggie Porter Montgomery 59 episodes
2006 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Morris Episode: "Poppin' Tags"
Without a Trace Jesse Lewis Episode: "The Calm Before"
2007 Cold Case Michael Carter Episode: "Wunderkind"
2009 Burn Notice Corey Jensen Episode: "Hot Spot"
Bones Perry Wilson Episode: "The Plain in the Prodigy"
The Assistants Nate Warren 13 episodes
2009–2011 Friday Night Lights Vince Howard 26 episodes
2010 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Danny Ford Episode: "Inhumane Society"
Lie to Me Key 2 episodes
2010–2011 Parenthood Alex 16 episodes
2012 House Will Westwood Episode: "Love Is Blind"
2014 The Boondocks Pretty Boy Flizzy Voice, episode: "Pretty Boy Flizzy"
2018 Fahrenheit 451 Guy Montag Television film; also executive producer
2019–2021 Gen:Lock Julian Chase Voice, 16 episodes; also executive producer
Raising Dion Mark Warren 3 episodes; also executive producer
2021 Love, Death & Robots Terence Voice/motion capture; episode: "Life Hutch"
What If...? Erik "Killmonger" Stevens Voice, 2 episodes
2022 America the Beautiful Narrator Documentary series
2023 Saturday Night Live Himself; host Episode: "Michael B. Jordan/Lil Baby"

Video games

Year Title Voice role Notes
2011 Gears of War 3 Jace Stratton
2016 NBA 2K17 Justice Young / Himself Host on MyCareer mode
2017 Wilson's Heart Kurt Mosby
2018 Creed: Rise to Glory Adonis Creed

Music videos

Year Title Performer(s) Album Refs.
2008 "Did You Wrong" Pleasure P The Introduction of Marcus Cooper
2017 "Family Feud" Jay-Z featuring Beyoncé 4:44
2019 "Whoa" Snoh Aalegra Ugh, Those Feels Again

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Nominated work Result Refs.
2005 Soap Opera Digest Award Favorite Teen All My Children Nominated
NAACP Image Award Outstanding Actor in a Daytime Drama Series Nominated
2006 NAACP Image Award Nominated
2007 Nominated
2008 Outstanding Literary Work – Debut Author Homeroom Heroes Nominated
2011 EWwy Awards Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Friday Night Lights Nominated
2013 Detroit Film Critics Society Best Breakthrough Fruitvale Station Nominated
Hollywood Film Awards Hollywood Spotlight Award Won
Gotham Awards Breakthrough Actor Won
National Board of Review of Motion Pictures Breakthrough Actor Won
Phoenix Film Critics Society Breakthrough Performance on Camera Nominated
Satellite Awards Breakthrough Award Performance Won
Santa Barbara International Film Festival Virtuoso Award Won
St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association Best Actor Nominated
2014 Independent Spirit Awards Best Male Lead Nominated
Black Reel Awards Outstanding Actor Nominated
NAACP Image Award Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture Nominated
2015 Golden Raspberry Awards Worst Screen Combo
(shared with Kate Mara, Miles Teller, and Jamie Bell)
Fantastic Four Nominated
African-American Film Critics Association Breakout Performance Creed Won
Boston Online Film Critics Association Best Actor Won
Austin Film Critics Association Nominated
Las Vegas Film Critics Society Nominated
Online Film Critics Society Best Actor Nominated
NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture Won
Black Reel Awards Best Actor Won
National Society of Film Critics Best Actor Won
Empire Awards Best Actor Nominated
MTV Movie Awards Best Male Performance Nominated
2016 Teen Choice Awards Choice Movie Actor: Drama Nominated
2018 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Television Movie Fahrenheit 451 Nominated
Saturn Awards Best Supporting Actor Black Panther Nominated
MTV Movie & TV Awards Best Villain Won
BET Awards Best Actor Nominated
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards Best Supporting Actor Nominated
Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Best Supporting Actor Nominated
San Francisco Film Critics Circle Best Supporting Actor Won
Seattle Film Critics Society Nominated
Villain of the Year Won
St. Louis Film Critics Association Best Supporting Actor Nominated
Teen Choice Awards Choice Villain Won
Toronto Film Critics Association Awards Best Supporting Actor Runner-up
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Awards Best Supporting Actor Nominated
2019 Alliance of Women Film Journalists Best Actor in a Supporting Role Nominated
Santa Barbara International Film Festival Cinema Vanguard Award Honored
Black Reel Awards Outstanding Supporting Actor Nominated
Critics' Choice Awards Best Supporting Actor Nominated
Austin Film Critics Association Best Supporting Actor Nominated
Houston Film Critics Society Nominated
London Film Critics' Circle Best Supporting Actor of the Year Nominated
Online Film Critics Society Best Supporting Actor Won
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture Won
NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture Won
Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Limited-Series
or Dramatic Special
Fahrenheit 451 Won
Producers Guild of America Awards Best Streamed or Televised Movie Won
2020 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture Just Mercy Won
2022 Children's and Family Emmy Awards Outstanding Children's or Family Viewing Series Raising Dion Nominated

See also

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