“For Better or For Worse”
Before Michael Jai White starred in For Better or For Worse from 2011 to 2017, he worked on other television shows and starred in martial arts movies and for Better or For Worse aired on OWN in its third season after being canceled by TBS.
He starred in well-known martial arts movies. He looked incredibly fit. You watch the films you are streaming and see a mighty fine-looking man.
Body Aesthetics
White discusses body aesthetics in this video. As a fitness enthusiast, White provides a summary or introduction to the particular type of training. The training concentrates on building a proportional, symmetrical body. It is not lifting heavy weights or working on just one specific body aspect. Instead, it is a guide to developing your statuesque physique. He shares his secret for looking so good on camera.
Michael Jai White Movies
White’s movie career began in 1989 with minor roles, including Alley Man #1 and Audience Man. His work developed and gradually grew. He was cast in meatier roles on television, including Jag and NYPD Blue. Eventually, he landed starring roles in both TV and movies.
His starring role in Black Dynamite is a story about a 1970s movie that exploited black people as stereotypical characters. White plays Black Dynamite, an impressive crime fighter.
The 2009 movie dramatizes the portrayal of black people in film. The premise is like the movies Dolemite and Trouble Man. Black Dynamite even pokes fun at these types of films because, viewed today, they appear demeaning. I am glad Black Dynamite pokes fun at these movies because they do demoralize the black race.
Years later, only White’s voice starred in the Black Dynamite animated TV series. The series lasted three years and featured the same types of characters as the movie. You can still catch some of the episodes on YouTube.
Martial Arts Training
White spoke to interviewers about how martial arts is a significant part of his life because it helps him achieve his goals.
Michael Jai White’s martial arts training takes his acting ability to a whole new level. He discussed how the body becomes conditioned by the mind’s actions. Building his discipline and focus is the driving force behind his dedication.
He can shut out anything in his life he wants to, so he can focus on acting or business ventures. He knows the importance of discipline because he can accomplish anything with it.
Michael Jai White starred in “Spawn” in 1997 as the superhero. A milestone for him because he was the first African American to play a superhero in a blockbuster movie.
Action Martial Arts
White starred in Universal Soldier: The Return with Jean-Claude Van Damme, a sci-fi combat and action martial arts movie.
To stay in shape for his role, he put himself on a strict diet of only protein and three gallons of water a day. He worked out on the set when he wasn’t shooting a scene.
He refined his martial arts skills and avoided weightlifting. He felt that using weights made the body weight heavier, not lighter. He needed to keep his body trim and agile.
Enthralling Movie Roles
White starred in The Dark Knight, playing Gambol opposite the late Heath Ledger’s Joker.
White played Mike Tyson in the movie Tyson. He received positive feedback.
In another movie, he played a unique superhero in Spawn, a supernatural being who can kick some evil booty.
He even kicked some booty in Exit Wounds with Steven Seagal.
Black Belt Certification
White maintains his persona in these action movies because he trained with several well-known Black Belt Hall of Famers. They all hold a Black Belt in Six Sigma. That means they are leaders, teachers, and mentors of martial arts.
White flourishes on film and in life by learning and applying martial arts, and believes that tying on a white belt rather than a black belt is a way of “looking forward to learning something new.”
White’s Spiritual Journey
White identifies the spiritual journey of his body as it reaches maturity. As a martial artist, he is willing to confront the philosophical aspect of being himself. White has discussed with interviewers the notion of taking the bait of just looking good as a disservice to himself. As a martial artist, he explained that he intends to be the best he can be, no matter what else is happening in his life. It is this philosophy that has guided him and contributed to his success.
White looks good in the reruns of For Better or For Worse. It will be interesting to see his next move in the industry. According to his IMDb profile, he stars in several movies. They are either in pre-production or post-production.
On his Facebook page, he posted, “I have some cool things planned… and an announcement of the first Jaigantic feature.” Jaigantic looks like it’s his own production company, making action movies. All in all, he still has a lot of kicks and jabs left in him.