Michael Jai White (born November 10, 1967) is an American actor and professional martial artist who has appeared in numerous films and television series.
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, he can be seen behind the character Keno before the initiation into the foot clan. 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, for which he was nominated for Best Male Newcomer for the Blockbuster Entertainment Awards. White starred opposite Jean Claude Van Damme in Universal Soldier: The Return. In 2001 he also starred opposite fellow martial artist Steven Segal 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 in Michelle Yeoh's Silver Hawk in 2004. On the 3rd July it was announced White had beaten rapper David Banner to the role of the Mob boss 'Gamble' in the Batman Begins sequel 'The Dark Knight.'
White was born in Brooklyn, New York. He is 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). White started martial arts training at the age of 7. In August 2005 he wed his girlfriend of two years, Courtenay Chatman, an OB/GYN who trained in Philadelphia and Los Angeles.
