Michael Christopher White was born on June 28, 1970. He is an American writer, actor, director, and producer for television and film.
White was born in Pasadena, California and attended Polytechnic School and Wesleyan University. His father is the Reverend Dr. Mel White, a former speechwriter for Religious Right figures such as Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson. Mel is now a gay rights activist and founder of Soulforce. White got his first impulse toward writing scripts from his favorite teacher in second grade, the mother of playwright Sam Shepard. He is openly bisexual.
White was a writer and producer on Dawson's Creek and Freaks and Geeks and wrote and acted in the films Chuck & Buck, The Good Girl, Orange County, School of Rock and Nacho Libre. He also had a role in a remake of The Stepford Wives. He frequently collaborates with actor/writer Jack Black on films. Together they formed the production company Black and White, which closed in 2006.
White is not a fan of classic rock music. He wrote The School of Rock (2003) specifically so Jack Black could perform his own favorite rock music.
White made his directorial debut with the self-penned Year of the Dog at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival.