Michael B. Jordan was born on February 9, 1987 in Santa Ana, California. His parents are Donna and Michael A. Jordan.
Michael B. Jordan’s Family Background
| Relation | Name |
|---|---|
| Mother | Donna Jordan |
| Father | Michael A. Jordan |
He has an older sister named Jamila and a younger brother named Khalid. As a child, his family moved to Newark, New Jersey where he grew up.
Education
Jordan attended Newark Arts High School where he played basketball and took acting classes. He graduated in 2005. Although he was accepted to several universities, Jordan decided to pursue an acting career instead of higher education.
Career Beginnings as a Child Model and Actor
When Jordan was 12 years old, his mother took him to modeling auditions in Los Angeles during his summer vacations. He quickly began working as a child model for companies like Modell’s Sporting Goods and Toys “R” Us.
Early Television Roles
Jordan began his acting career on television in 1999 with small roles on shows like The Sopranos and Cosby. His first recurring TV role was as Reggie Montgomery on the soap opera All My Children from 2003 to 2006.
Breakthrough Role on HBO’s The Wire
In 2002, at just 15 years old, Jordan was cast as Wallace on the HBO crime drama The Wire. The acclaimed show ran for five seasons through 2008. Jordan has said that his role on The Wire was his “first time dealing with real issues from the streets.” It was a major breakout role for the young actor.
Rise to Fame in Film and Television
After The Wire, Jordan began landing roles in feature films. In 2001, he starred alongside Keanu Reeves in the sports drama Hardball. Other early roles included the movie Blackout alongside Jeffrey Wright and Zoe Saldana, as well as Red Tails produced by George Lucas.
Award-Winning Performance in Fruitvale Station
In 2013, Jordan gave an award-winning performance as Oscar Grant in Fruitvale Station. The film tells the true story of Grant’s killing by police in 2009. Jordan won Best Actor awards from:
- The National Board of Review
- The Gotham Awards
- The African American Film Critics Association
Accolades for Fruitvale Station Performance
| Award | Year |
|---|---|
| National Board of Review Award for Best Breakthrough Performance | 2013 |
| Gotham Independent Film Award for Breakthrough Actor | 2013 |
| African-American Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor | 2013 |
Jordan became an A-list star and leading man with his role in Fruitvale Station.
Big Hollywood Franchises Creed and Black Panther
Jordan went on to star as Adonis “Donnie” Creed, the son of boxer Apollo Creed, in the 2015 Rocky spin-off franchise film Creed. He reprised the role in 2018’s Creed II. Also in 2018, Jordan played supervillain Erik “Killmonger” Stevens in the blockbuster Marvel film Black Panther starring Chadwick Boseman.
Emmy Nomination for Fahrenheit 451
In 2018, Jordan was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Television Movie for executive producing and starring in HBO’s Fahrenheit 451. Though controversial, Fahrenheit 451 brought Jordan critical acclaim.
Current Work in Film, Television, and Production
Jordan’s recent films include 2021’s Tom Clancy’s Without Remorse and 2022’s A Journal for Jordan directed by Denzel Washington. Upcoming films roles include Methuselah and The Thomas Crown Affair.
Production Company Outlier Society
In 2016, Jordan founded the production company Outlier Society with a mission to bring diverse voices to film and television. Outlier Society has produced the films Just Mercy, Creed III, and the upcoming HBO series The Greatest.
Outlier Society Productions
| Production | Type | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Just Mercy | Film | 2019 |
| Creed III | Film | 2023 |
| The Greatest | TV Series | TBA |
Activism and Humanitarian Work
Jordan uses his celebrity platform to support various social justice causes and non-profit organizations focused on promoting diversity in Hollywood. He also aims to provide opportunities for marginalized youth interested in entertainment industry careers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Michael B. Jordan has proven himself as one of Hollywood’s top actors, producers, and activists of his generation. His raw talent was evident even as a child model and soap opera actor. Iconic, critically acclaimed performances in films like Fruitvale Station and Black Panther have made him an A-list star.
Off-screen, Jordan strives to promote social justice and bring inspiring, diverse stories to life through his production company Outlier Society. Still just 36 years old, Jordan’s career and positive cultural influence continue to soar. With major upcoming films like Creed III and Methuselah on the horizon, his star power shows no signs of slowing down.
Frequently Asked Questions About Michael B. Jordan
Michael B. Jordan is African-American. His family has ancestry connecting back to the Caribbean island of Tobago.
How tall is Michael B. Jordan?
Jordan is 5 feet, 11 inches (1.80 meters) tall.
Is Michael B. Jordan related to Michael Jordan?
No, Michael B. Jordan is not related to the famous basketball player Michael Jordan. The two just happen to share a first and last name.
Who did Michael B. Jordan play in Black Panther?
Jordan portrayed supervillain Erik “Killmonger” Stevens in 2018’s Black Panther.
Is Michael B. Jordan married?
As of early 2024, Jordan is not currently married. He keeps his dating life extremely private. Jordan was previously rumored to be dating actresses Kiki Layne and Snoh Alegra.