Michael B. Jordan

1999–2012: 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.^[16][17] 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.^[14] 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.^[18] Jordan's other credits include guest-starring appearances on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,^[19] 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 rhythm and blues artist Pleasure P.

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.^[20] He played the character for two seasons until the show ended in 2011.^[21] 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 in its "Young Hollywood" issue.^[22][23]

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).^[24] This marked his second collaboration with showrunner Jason Katims, who was in charge of Friday Night Lights. BuddyTV ranked him number 80 on its list of "TV's Sexiest Men of 2011".^[25] Jordan voiced Jace in the Xbox 360 game Gears of War 3.^[26] In 2012, Jordan appeared in the George Lucas-produced film Red Tails,^[27] and played lead character Steve Montgomery in Chronicle, a film about three teenaged boys who develop superhuman abilities.^[28] He also guest-starred in an episode of House's final season, playing a blind patient.^[29]

2013–2018: Rise to prominence

In 2013, Jordan starred as shooting victim 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".^[30] Following his role in Fruitvale Station, Jordan was named an "actor to watch" by People and Variety.^[31][32] 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.^[33][34][35]

In 2015, he starred as Johnny Storm, the Human Torch, in Fantastic Four.^[36][37][38] The film was universally panned by critics, holding a 9% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and was a bust at the box office.^[39] Jordan rebounded with critical acclaim later that year when he starred as Donnie Creed, the son of boxer Apollo Creed, in the spinoff of the Rocky film, Creed, his second collaboration with Coogler, which co-starred Sylvester Stallone.^[40] Jordan prepared for his role as a boxer in Creed by undertaking one year of rigorous physical training and a stringent, low-fat diet.^[41] He did not have a body double during filming, and was "routinely bloodied, bruised, and dizzy" when fighting scenes were being filmed.^[41]

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, Jordan was announced as being cast in a supporting role as Mark Warren in the upcoming Netflix superhero series Raising Dion.^[42] In February 2018, Jordan starred as the villain Erik Killmonger in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Black Panther; this marked Jordan's third collaboration with Coogler.^[43] 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."^[8][9] In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Jordan shared how his preparation for the role of Killmonger left an impact on him, for which he sought out therapy.^[44]

Later in 2018, Jordan starred in Fahrenheit 451 with Michael Shannon and Sofia Boutella. The television film was distributed on HBO by HBO Films.^[45] That same year, Jordan reprised his role as boxer Adonis "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.^[46][47]

2019–present: Established actor and awards success

He also voiced the character Julian Chase in Rooster Teeth's animated series Gen:Lock, since January 2019, which he also co-produced through his production company, Outlier Society Productions.^[48] 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 positive reviews.^[49][50] Jordan starred in Without Remorse, based on the book by Tom Clancy, as John Kelly, 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.^[51]

Jordan reprised his Marvel role as Erik "Killmonger" Stevens in two episodes of the first season of What If...? (2021), and in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022),^[52][53] 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."^[54] 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 "Donnie" Creed. It was released on March 3, 2023.^[55] He next reteamed with Coogler in the period horror film Sinners (2025), playing twin brothers in a dual role performance. He received the Academy Award for Best Actor and the Actor Award in the same category, becoming the seventh Black performer in history to win an Oscar in the lead acting category.^[56][57][58]

Jordan is slated to work with Coogler for the fifth time in Wrong Answer, a film based on the Atlanta Public Schools cheating scandal.^[41] He is also set to direct, produce, and star in a second remake of The Thomas Crown Affair,^[59][60] as well as starring in the vampire film Blood Brothers.^[61] His production company Outlier Society signed a first-look deal with Amazon,^[62] and is also developing Val-Zod, an HBO Max series featuring a black version of the DC Comics character Superman.^[63] As of March 2022^[update], Jordan was to produce and star in the sequel of I Am Legend with Will Smith.^[64]

Sports ownership

In December 2022, Jordan was announced as part-owner of English soccer club AFC Bournemouth. The club was taken over by the consortium group the Black Knights Football Club, led by fellow American businessman Bill Foley.^[85] Jordan led the minority ownership group with Kosmos founder Nullah Sarker.^[86][87]

He is also an investor in the Alpine F1 Team alongside fellow actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.^[88][89]

Film

Television

Video games

Music video appearances