"Tyson," the HBO movie special in which Mr. White played the title role as controversial former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson, is the project that brought Mr. White widespread audience and critical acclaim - "Knockout Portrayal," L.A. Times. He later duplicated that praise and excitement in the title role of the high-tech science fiction film, "Spawn," in which he played the superhero based on the hit comic book series of the same name.

Early in 1999, he starred as the lead character in the NBC movie, "Mutiny," based on factual events during World War II. The film was directed by Kevin Hooks and executive produced by Morgan Freeman. Additional projects for 1999 include his starring opposite Jean Claude Van Damme in "Universal Soldier: The Return," and his role in "Thick as Thieves," with Alec Baldwin, Rebecca De Mornay, Andre Braugher and Janeane Garofalo. Scheduled for early 2000 is his role in the TNT original movie titled "Freedom Song," starring and executive produced by Danny Glover.

Additionally, his film credits also include the satirical "Ringmaster," "City of Industry," "Full Contact," "Universal Soldier" and "True Identity."

In addition to his "Tyson" role, his television movie credits also include "Captive Heart: The James Mink Story," with Louis Gossett, Jr., Kate Nelligan and Ruby Dee. And, he made a pair of guest starring appearances as Reggie Fancy, the younger brother to Lt. Arthur Fancy in ABC's police drama series, "NYPD Blue"; and had roles in the series "JAG," "Living Single" and "Renegade."

His stage credits include "To Kill a Mockingbird," "Anything Goes" and "A Raisin in the Sun."

Mr. White was born in Brooklyn and when a pre-teen was relocated to Bridgeport, Connecticut. At age 14, he was mostly on his own; and at six feet tall and weighing in at 190 lbs., he was easily mistaken for an adult. Having started karate lessons at age eight, he was a black belt at age 12 and later taught karate at the local YMCA in Bridgeport.

He graduated high school with honors and went on to college without a clear idea of the direction in which he wanted to steer his life. He jumped from university to university (UConn, S.C.S.U.) and major to major (political science, communications, engineering) while also squeezing in an acting class or two - at the HB Studios in New York, Yale University and Howard University -- but never thinking of acting as a career choice.

Mr. White discovered he had a gift for reaching troubled children when he taught junior high school for three years -- grades five, six and seven. That experience is what he says has been his proudest achievement. Though reluctant to follow acting, he felt he had to get it out of his system. He began auditioning for roles in nearby Manhattan. He eventually landed commercials, theater roles, and bit parts in soap operas. Faced with the difficult decision to leave teaching, he finally did so with the blessing of his young students. In 1992, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting.

Need to write? Here's where to send mail to Michael Jai White.