Michael B. Jordan, one of the most talented actors of his generation, took Hollywood by storm with his spellbinding performances and charming looks. He has proven over the years that he is indeed a true star in the industry. In this Hollywood Spotlight, we’ll take a further look at his fascinating journey.
Early Career
The Hollywood sensation Michael Bakari Jordan was born in Santa Ana, California, on February 9, 1987. He was no stranger to the entertainment world, as his parents, Donna and Michael A. Jordan, worked in the entertainment industry. Jordan first took up acting when he appeared in a Toys ‘R’ Us Commercial at 12.
With his family moving to Newark, New Jersey, where he attended Newark Arts High School, Jordan soon took up roles on popular television shows like The Sopranos and All My Children.
His breakout was in 2009 when Jordan was cast as Wallace on the HBO Series The Wire. Acting in this critically acclaimed series geared him to success and opened doors for him in Hollywood.
Breakthroughs
Jordan’s breakthrough role came in 2013 when he starred in the biographical drama Fruitvale Station, a film that tells the actual story of Oscar Grant, who was fatally shot by a BART police officer. The film was a critical success, quickly putting Jordan’s talent in acting on full display.
This was followed in 2015 by another significant role in Creed, where he starred as Adonis Creed, the son of Apollo Creed, who seeks the help of Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) to train him as a boxer. Jordan’s performance in this movie shot him to new heights and opened doors for him in Hollywood.
Furthermore, Jordan did not stop building on his success, taking on a role in the Marvel film Black Panther in 2018. In this film, he starred as Eric Killmonger, a villain with a tragic past who seeks to take over the kingdom of Wakanda. His performance was praised widely, as this film became a cultural phenomenon, grossing well over $1.3 billion worldwide.
Jordan has continued taking on challenging and diverse roles in recent years. He starred in the 2019 legal drama Just Mercy, based on the true story of civil rights attorney Bryan Stevenson and his tussle to free a wrongfully convicted inmate on death row. Jordan also starred in the 2021 action film Without Remorse, a movie based on the novel of the same name by Tom Clancy.
Awards and Nominations
Jordan has bagged numerous awards and nominations throughout his eventful career, confirming his exceptional talent and versatile acting. He has been nominated for many awards, including a Primetime Emmy Award and two Screen Actors Guild Awards.
In 2013, Jordan received the National Board of Review Award for Breakthrough Performance for his stellar performance in the critically acclaimed film Fruitvale Station. This was followed closely the next year by the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male for his role in the same movie.
In addition, Jordan’s work in the Marvel film Black Panther earned him nominations for multiple awards, including a Screen Actors Guild Award and a BET Award no less. Time Magazine named Jordan one of the 100 most influential people in the world both in 2020 and 2023.
Recent Works
Toys “R” Us commercial – 1999, The Sopranos (TV series) – 1999, Cosby (TV series) – 1999-2000, The Wire (TV series) – 2002, All My Children (TV series) – 2003-2006, Blackout (TV movie) – 2007, The Assistants (TV series) – 2009, Parenthood (TV series) – 2010-2011, Friday Night Lights (TV series) – 2009-2011, Chronicle (film) – 2012, Red Tails (film) – 2012, Fruitvale Station (film) – 2013, That Awkward Moment (film) – 2014, The Fantastic Four (film) – 2015, Creed (film) – 2015, Creed II (film) – 2018, Black Panther (film) – 2018, Fahrenheit 451 (TV movie) – 2018, Just Mercy (film) – 2019, Without Remorse (film) – 2021, A Journal for Jordan -2021, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (film) – 2022, Creed III (film)- 2023.
Michael B. Jordan’s career has undoubtedly been a testament to his talent and hard work as an actor. He has proven himself a versatile performer ready to take on various roles, from dramatic to action-packed. Each new project he takes on leaves his audience captivated and cements his place as one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. We can keep up with Michael on his Instagram.
