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,"Michael Jai White is first Black comic superhero to star on the movie screen in 'Spawn.'", JET, September 22, 1997. Retrieved October 17, 2009. having starred as Al Simmons, the protagonist in the 1997 movie Spawn.Spawn was released on August 1, 1997, two weeks before the release of Steel, which starred NBA basketball player Shaquille O'Neal.

Career

White first appeared in The Toxic Avenger Part II. He also made a brief appearance in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze and NYPD Blue as a uniformed police officer who was the younger brother of Lieutenant Arthur Fancy (played by James McDaniel). White travelled to Asia to make a number of films for that market including Full Contact with Chow Yun Fat and Silverhawk with Michelle Yeoh to learn more about making movies and fight choreography although for the most part, the films aren't great and his involvement is minimal and not indicative of what he can do. His first major starring role and breakout performance was in the 1995 HBO film Tyson, as heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson. He portrayed the titular character in the 1997 movie Spawn, making him the first African American to portray a major comic book superhero in a major motion picture. 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 upcoming Spawn 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.