Michael B. Jordan (born February 9, 1987) is an American actor, producer, and director known for mixing blockbuster intensity with character-driven performances. Many audiences first recognized him from early television work, including Wallace on The Wire, before his career accelerated into major film roles that made him a modern leading man.
His breakout film years were shaped by emotionally grounded roles, notably Oscar Grant in Fruitvale Station (2013). From there, he became globally associated with two franchise-defining characters: Adonis Creed in the Creed films and Erik Killmonger in Marvel’s Black Panther (2018). He later expanded behind the camera, directing and starring in Creed III (2023), while continuing to produce projects through his company, Outlier Society.
Across genres, Jordan’s work tends to center discipline, identity, ambition, and the cost of becoming who you want to be. Whether he is playing a fighter, a villain, or a real-world figure, he often brings a grounded emotional core that keeps even large-scale stories feeling personal.
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Quick Facts
| Real Name: | Michael Bakari Jordan |
| Profession: | Actor, director, producer |
| Born: | February 9, 1987 |
| Age: | 39 (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace: | Santa Ana, California, United States |
| Nationality: | American |
| Known For: | Wallace on The Wire, Adonis Creed in Creed, Erik Killmonger in Black Panther, directing and starring in Creed III |
| Notable Films: | Fruitvale Station; Creed; Black Panther; Just Mercy; Creed III |
| Awards: | Major wins include NAACP Image Awards (notably for Creed and Black Panther) plus additional industry honors and nominations |
| Zodiac Sign: | Aquarius |
| Relationship: | Keeps personal life mostly private; not publicly married |
| Years Active: | 1999 to present |
Trailer Video
Early Life & Education
Michael Bakari Jordan was born in Santa Ana, California, and spent his earliest years there before his family relocated to Newark, New Jersey, where he was raised. He has spoken often about Newark shaping his identity, his ambition, and his sense of community, even as his career eventually pulled him toward Los Angeles and global film work.
As a teenager, he attended Newark Arts High School, where he balanced school life with early professional opportunities. Before he became a widely known actor, he worked as a child model and appeared in small TV roles, steadily building credits until his breakout period in prestige television opened the door to long-term film momentum.
Career Highlights and Milestones
Jordan’s rise started with high-impact television roles that showed unusual emotional range at a young age, especially his performance as Wallace in HBO’s The Wire. He followed that early breakout with steady TV work, including a memorable run as Vince Howard on Friday Night Lights, building a reputation for intensity and quiet realism rather than flashy hype.
His film breakthrough arrived with Fruitvale Station (2013), a performance that positioned him as a serious dramatic lead. From there, Jordan became central to two major franchises: the Creed films, where he plays boxer Adonis Creed, and the Marvel universe, where he played Erik Killmonger in Black Panther (2018). He expanded his creative role behind the scenes through producing, then made his feature directorial debut with Creed III (2023), confirming that his career is not only about starring roles but also about shaping projects and building a long-term creative footprint.
Selected film and TV highlights
- The Wire (2002)
- All My Children (2003 to 2006)
- Friday Night Lights (2009 to 2011)
- Fruitvale Station (2013)
- Creed (2015) and sequels
- Black Panther (2018)
- Fahrenheit 451 (2018)
- Just Mercy (2019)
- Without Remorse (2021)
- Creed III (2023)
- Sinners (2025)
Major recognition
- NAACP Image Awards: major wins including Creed (Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture) and Black Panther (Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture)
- Breakthrough-era recognition for Fruitvale Station, including major critics-group attention and awards momentum
- Franchise-defining mainstream visibility as Adonis Creed (Creed series) and Erik Killmonger (Black Panther)
- Director milestone: feature directorial debut with Creed III (also starring and producing)
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Awards and Accolades
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Gotham Awards | Breakthrough Actor | Fruitvale Station | Won |
| 2013 | National Board of Review | Breakthrough Performance | Fruitvale Station | Won |
| 2016 | NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture | Creed | Won |
| 2016 | NAACP Image Awards | Entertainer of the Year | Career (selected) | Won |
| 2018 | NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture | Black Panther | Won |
| 2018 | NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie / Limited Series | Fahrenheit 451 | Won |
| 2019 | NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture | Creed II | Nominated |
| 2024 | NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture | Creed III | Nominated |
| 2024 | NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Guest Performance (Comedy or Drama) | Saturday Night Live | Won |
Filmography / Notable Works
| Year | Title | Type | Role / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | The Wire | TV | Breakout early role as Wallace. |
| 2003 to 2006 | All My Children | TV | Long-running soap role as Reggie Montgomery. |
| 2009 to 2011 | Friday Night Lights | TV | Key arc as Vince Howard. |
| 2013 | Fruitvale Station | Film | Oscar Grant, career-defining dramatic performance. |
| 2015 | Creed | Film | Adonis Creed, launched the franchise. |
| 2018 | Black Panther | Film | Erik Killmonger, one of Marvel’s most discussed antagonists. |
| 2018 | Fahrenheit 451 | TV film | Lead role (Guy Montag) and producer. |
| 2019 | Just Mercy | Film | Played Bryan Stevenson, also produced. |
| 2021 | Without Remorse | Film | John Kelly, action-thriller lead. |
| 2023 | Creed III | Film | Star, director, producer, franchise evolution without relying on legacy characters. |
| 2025 | Sinners | Film | Dual-role performance as twin brothers (Smoke and Stack). |
Net Worth, Income, & Lifestyle
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Net Worth (2026) | Public estimates vary widely. Michael B. Jordan has not disclosed a verified net worth figure, and widely shared numbers are not official. |
| Income Sources | Acting fees, producing and executive producing, directing, brand partnerships, and long-term franchise participation. |
| Business & Production | Outlier Society supports his producing slate, development work, and long-term studio partnerships. |
| Properties & Assets | He keeps most detailed financial and asset information private; coverage typically emphasizes work and projects rather than itemized holdings. |
| Lifestyle | Often described as disciplined and work-focused, with a public emphasis on preparation, craft, and steady long-term career building. |
Social Media & Online Presence
| Platform | Details |
|---|---|
| Official account: @michaelbjordan (verified). Audience size changes over time. | |
| X (Twitter) | Official account commonly listed as @michaelb4jordan (verified). Platform labels can change, confirm if needed. |
| Public page: Michael B Jordan (verification can change over time). | |
| YouTube | No single long-running personal YouTube channel is consistently promoted. Most video content is studio trailers, interviews, and event coverage. |
Fan communities on social media (unofficial)
NOTE: In addition to any official accounts listed above, many fan-run pages and clip accounts exist. These are not confirmed to be affiliated with Michael B. Jordan. Links and usernames can change at any time.
Trivia & Lesser-Known Facts
- His full birth name is Michael Bakari Jordan, and he is often credited professionally as Michael B. Jordan.
- He grew up in Newark, New Jersey and attended Newark Arts High School.
- Before acting became steady, he worked as a child model and built early on-screen credits through small roles.
- He has emphasized discipline and repetition in his craft, including the high-volume memorization demands of soap opera work.
- He publicly committed to using inclusion riders for projects produced by his company, Outlier Society, as part of broader representation goals.
Quotes
“It opened up so many doors in the most unexpected places for me.”
People interview (Nov 2025)
“I just want to do honest work, man, and be true to myself.”
People interview (Nov 2025)
“I had to write their backstories. I got journals for Smoke and Stack.”
Vanity Fair interview (Feb 2026)
“I encourage it. I’m an advocate for talking.”
Vanity Fair interview (Feb 2026)
“I will be adopting the Inclusion Rider for all projects produced by my company Outlier Society.”
Vanity Fair (Mar 2018)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is Michael B. Jordan’s age?
A: He was born on February 9, 1987. He is 39 years old as of 2026.
Q: What is Michael B. Jordan best known for?
A: He is widely known for Wallace on The Wire, Adonis Creed in the Creed series, and Erik Killmonger in Black Panther.
Q: Did Michael B. Jordan direct a major feature film?
A: Yes. He directed Creed III (2023), while also starring and producing.
Q: Where did Michael B. Jordan grow up?
A: He was born in Santa Ana, California and raised in Newark, New Jersey.
Q: What are Michael B. Jordan’s official social accounts?
A: His commonly listed verified accounts include Instagram @michaelbjordan and X @michaelb4jordan.
Upcoming Projects
- The Thomas Crown Affair (scheduled for 2027) – Jordan directs and stars in the heist-romance remake.
- Creed IV (in development) – Jordan has indicated the next film is moving forward, with timing still unannounced.
- Delphi (Amazon Prime Video series) – A live-action series expanding the Creed universe around the Delphi Boxing Academy.
- I Am Legend 2 (in development) – Jordan is attached to co-star with Will Smith; the project has been discussed publicly as still in progress.
- Swapped (Netflix, 2026) – Animated feature with voice work reported for Jordan.
- Fourth Wing (Amazon Prime Video, in development) – Outlier Society is attached to executive produce the TV adaptation.
Interviews & Features
- Vanity Fair, “Sinners Star Michael B. Jordan on Therapy, Toxic Masculinity, and Growing Pains With The Thomas Crown Affair” (Feb 19, 2026) , a long-form interview on playing twins, directing ambitions, and how therapy has helped his process.
- People, “Michael B. Jordan Looks Back at His Soap Opera Past That ‘Opened So Many Doors’ in His Acting Career” (Nov 20, 2025) , reflections on All My Children, early discipline, and what he wants to do next as a storyteller.
- Encyclopaedia Britannica, “Michael B. Jordan” (biography) , a background overview of his major credits and career arc, including directing Creed III.
- Entertainment Weekly, “Michael B. Jordan expands ‘Creed’ universe in live-action series ‘Delphi’” (2025) , coverage of the franchise expansion and Jordan’s producer role.
Public Appearances & Festivals
- 39th American Cinematheque Awards (Nov 20, 2025): Jordan attended in Los Angeles, where he was honored at the event and spoke with press on the red carpet.
- Sinners Q&A (Nov 22, 2025): Appeared in Los Angeles for a public Q&A tied to Sinners.
- San Diego Comic-Con International (July 2017): Appeared in San Diego for studio and fan events, including panel appearances connected to major franchise work.
- NBC-Universal Party (Feb 5, 2008): Early-career red carpet appearance in Los Angeles, photographed during his TV-to-film build-up era.
