Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (July 6, 2016)
July 6, 2016 The Skanner Page 7 Arts & Entertainment Michael Jai White: The ‘Vigilante Diaries’ Interview By Kam Williams For The Skanner News A highly trained martial artist and actor, Michael Jai White has broken barriers as a Hollywood star and internation- al box oice sensation. With his dynamic per- sonality, agile abilities and physique of a body- builder, Michael has earned respect for his versatile talents both on and of screen. Born Nov. 10, 1967 in Brooklyn, New York, it was watching the ilm Five Fingers of Death that initiated Michael’s interest in the martial arts. At the tender age 7, he started taking weekly Japanese Jujitsu class- es to stay focused while growing up on the tough streets of Brooklyn. At 8, Michael’s family relocated to Bridgeport, Connecticut, where he studied the Shotokan and Kyokushin forms of kara- te, earning his irst black “ and moved to Los Ange- les to pursue an acting career full-time. Before long, he would go on to guest star on such hit television shows as “Saved by the Bell,” “Martin,” “NYPD Blue,”and “CSI.” Prov- ing his acting ability, he would also be cast in the lead role of legendary boxer Mike Tyson in the HBO biopic, “Tyson.” Michael was subse- quently cast to play the title character in the movie “Spawn,” which came with the distinction of being the irst black superhero in a major motion picture. While he cemented his Holly- wood status as a bonaide action star, more diverse roles emerged that al- lowed him to showcase his physical prowess as well as display his on- screen charisma and comedic ability in such ilms as “Exit Wounds,” “Undisputed 2,” “Silver Hawk,” “Blood & Bone,” “Black Dynamite” and It’s an action movie that’s not trying to pretend to be any- thing other than that belt by 13. Upon gradu- ating from Bridgeport’s Central High School, he went on to further his ed- ucation, irst attending Southern Connecticut and then UConn. While winning multiple cham- pionships as a national martial arts competitor, he became a Special Edu- cation teacher at Wilbur Cross Elementary School in Bridgeport. Bitten by the acting bug, Michael began audi- tioning for commercials and acting gigs on week- ends and during summer breaks while teaching. When he began landing jobs in commercials and guest-starring roles on television shows and ilms; he let teaching Tyler Perry’s “Why Did I Get Married” and “Why Did I Get Married Too,” playing opposite Tasha Smith. The two would ignite such on-screen chemistry, they would go on to star together in the long running OWN Net- work series, “For Better or Worse.” Michael resides in Los Angeles with his wife, ac- tress Gillian White, and their three daughters. Here, he talks about his new movie, “Vigilante Diaries,” an action thrill- er starring Paul Sloan, and featuring Michael Madsen, Jason Mewes, Quinton Rampage Jack- son and Danny Trejo. Kam Williams: Hey Michael Jai White Michael, thanks for an- other opportunity to speak with you. Michael Jai White: My pleasure, Kam. It’s kind of a dark come- dy. [Chuckles] The good thing about the movie is that you just can’t tell where it’s going to go. KW: What interested you in this crazy action ilm, “Vigilante Diaries”? MJW: I was one of the players invited to the party, and I had fun at it. Paul Sloan, the picture’s scriptwriter and lead ac- tor, invited me to join the project, as did Christian Sesma, who directed it. And it became a really fun romp. KW: I won’t spoil the ending of the ilm, but let me say I was dei- nitely shocked by one of the surprising develop- ments involving your character. MJW: Yeah. It’s one of those movies where you ind yourself saying, “Wait a minute. Where are we now?” It’s an ac- tion movie that’s not try- ing to pretend to be any- thing other than that. KW: You certainly had an impressive and di- verse cast, with actors ranging from veteran actor Michael Madsen to Jason Mewes from the Kevin Smith movies to action stars like like you and Danny Trejo of “Ma- chete.” How were you all assembled? MJW: Well, it started out as a web series, and then they turned it into a full-length feature ilm. KW: Tell me a little about the guy you play, Barrington? MJW: He’s sort of a rogue CIA Agent who’s pulling strings all over the place, You can’t tell if he’s a good guy or a bad guy. I think that’s indica- tive of all the characters. KW: Does the movie have a message, or should people just sit back and enjoy the action? MJW: I’d say just sit back and enjoy the ac- tion, and also the laughs, because there’s a lot of funny stuf in the movie as well. KW: Harriet Paku- la-Teweles asks: With so many classic ilms being redone, is there a remake you’d like to star in? MJW: Wow! There are probably several of them. I made my attempt to redo “Hard Times” [the Charles Bronson clas- sic from 1975]. I called it “Blood and Bone.” And there are certain other classic ilms I’d love to see again, but under a diferent name. KW: Ling-Ju Yen asks: What is your earliest childhood memory? MJW: Well, the irst movie I ever saw was “Five Fingers of Death, “which was really the irst kung fu movie sent to the United States. It freaked me out because people were pulling out adversaries’ eyeballs. I See INTERVIEW on page 11
