Actors who have Portrayed Michael Jackson

As you have heard, Lionsgate announced casted Jaafar Jackson, nephew of Michael Jackson and son of Jermaine Jackson cast as for the upcoming biopic "Michael" directed by Antoine Fuqua. The film’s being produced by Graham King, who turned the Freddie Mercury Queen story into the blockbuster Bohemian Rhapsody, which earned actor Rami Malek an Oscar for his portrayal of Freddie Mercury.

The 26-year-old posted on Instagram dressed as MJ in black and white and captioned it as “humbled and honored” to bring his “Uncle Michael’s story to life.”

And, yes, his family approves and the estate approves. His cousin and oldest son of Michael Jackson, Prince Jackson posted on Instagram showing his approval.

But what about other actors who played Michael Jackson before Jaafar nabbed the role of his uncle Michael?

In this list, we are looking at a list of actors who portrayed the iconic King of Pop whether it's from tv shows, films, or stage musicals whether they have played good or bad. And no impersonations on this list except Navi since he did a Lifetime biopic film about MJ and was portrayed as him as well but we'll deal with it later on.

Here are the actors who portrayed MJ

Alex Burrall as Young Michael "The Jacksons: An American Dream"

Young Alex Burrall played the role of young little Michael Jackson before he joined the Jackson 5. In the Jacksons: An American Dream, the limited series is about how Michael and his brothers: Jackie, Tito, Marlon, and Jermaine started out at the age of five in Gary, Indiana performing at talent shows and strip clubs before they were signed to Motown. Alex also lent his voice when he was performing “Climb Every mountain” in the series.

Jason Weaver as 10-year-old Michael "The Jacksons: An American Dream"

After lending his singing voice on the Lion King, Jason Weaver was cast as 11-year-old MJ when he was the leading singer of his family band the Jackson 5. Throughout the show, Weaver as Jackson uses his vocal chops singing all the Jackson 5 songs, performing with the Jackson 5, and dealings with his brothers getting married early.

According to Weaver, Michael Jackson actually showed up on set in disguise.

“When he actually came to visit, an assistant director pulled me over and told me to come to his trailer because someone wanted to meet me. I go to his trailer and I thought it was just an older white guy when I saw him. When he started to speak to me and I looked into his eyes…he told me ‘You’re doing a great job, a really great job Jason.’ And I go ‘Oh Sh*t, Michael?!’ He said yes and apologized for coming like this [in disguise].”

Weaver told VladTV

Weaver also got a chance to hang out with MJ on set.

Wylie Draper as Adult Michael "The Jacksons: An American Dream"

Wylie Draper was a footballer and a dancer even dressed and impersonated Michael Jackson during a high school talent show before he landed the role of Michael. Unlike Weaver who auditions for Young Michael, Draper auditions to play the role. Michael saw his audition and chose him for the miniseries. Draper was cast and played Adult Michael dealing with the Jacksons, a new name for the family since Jermaine left the group, going solo in h, his hair on fire, and Motown 25 anniversary performance where he debut the moonwalk. He would appear in Michael Jackson's music video "Remember the Time" and other projects. Sadly, Draper passed away in 1993. A year after the Jacksons: An American Dream miniseries premiered.

I am not going to lie Draper did an amazing job portraying MJ.

Flex Alexander as Michael Jackson"Man in the Mirror: the Michael Jackson Story"

This isn't the first time Flex Alexander portray MJ. On a Halloween episode on UPN's One-on-One, Flex dressed as MJ to compete against his rival played by Duana Martin dressed as MJ. I guess after the One-on-One Halloween episode. Director, Casting, or whoever behind the television biopic thought about casting Flex as MJ in the MJ television biopic. It was supposed to be the sequel to the Jacksons: An American Dream.

Big mistake!!!

Around the time the film premiered, Michael Jackson was already acquitted of the child sex abuse scandal.

Now I'm not going to lie I thought the film was embarrassing as hell and I don't know why Flex signed up for this film.

Before his 2009 death, Michael wasn't impressed with the film at all. According to Flex, he portrays MJ because the film paid him well. And he made MJ into a joke.

Joseph Fiennes "Urban Myths Episode Elizabeth, Michael, and Marlon"

Another embarrassing MJ portrayal is where a Caucasian British actor Joseph Fiennes, brother of actor Ralph Fiennes plays the role of Michael traveling away from New York with his friends Marlon Brando (played by Brain Cox) and Elizabeth Taylor (played by Stockard Channing). According to interviews, Michael Jackson has openly said and quoted "he doesn't want any white actor to play him" in any upcoming biopic films. Michael's fans, his estate, and Michael's daughter Paris Jackson were extremely disgusted with the show.

Thankfully, the show pulled the plug off the network.

J.D. McCray as Young Michael Jackson "American Soul"

While his uncle actor Darius McCray played James Brown on BET's original series American Soul, eleven-year-old J.D. McCray with a voice like young Michael portrayed young Michael on the show. I tried to find the image of him as Michael but if you want to watch American Soul it is currently on BET Plus.

Navi Charles "Michael Jackson: Searching for Neverland"

Navi Charles, who has impersonated Michael Jackson for 10 years portray as Jackson in this Lifetime biopic. The film chronicles MJ's bodyguards: Bill Whitfield and Javon Beard guarding Michael Jackson and his children: Prince,Paris, and Blanket until his 2009 death. This film is actually based on the tell-all book written by them. Now I haven't watched the film yet because at the time I was so over it but I guess I will get my take on it.

B. Howard "A Tale of Two Coreys"

Singer, Songwriter, and son of Miki Howard Brandon "B.Howard" portray Michael in the Lifetime biopic film which centers on the story of teen heartthrob best friends Corey Haim and Corey Feldman “The Two Corey’s”. In the film, Jackson was being the friend to Corey Feldman nothing going on between them. I have watched this film and I gotta be honest with you this film is kind of hard to watch.

Now Corey Feldman was a supportive friend of Michael Jackson and defended MJ when he was accused of child sexual abuse until he gave up.

According to reports, rumors have circulated that B. Howard is Michael Jackson's love child and "Billie Jean" is about him. Another rumor, B. Howard is the son of Joe Jackson (MJ's father) after all, Joe has managed his mother so maybe something went with them. Now I'm not saying it is true all I am saying is that it is alleged. However, the late Aaron Carter said in a 2021 Vlad interview before his passing that B. Howard is Michael Jackson's son.

Myles Frost "MJ: The Musical"

Maryland native Myles Frost was a student at Bowie State University when he got a call to audition for the MJ Broadway Musical. Myles auditioned and landed the role of MJ.

Fun Fact: Broadway actor Ephraim Sykes was cast as Michael Jackson for the musical but bailed for a movie role. Then, the Broadway musical shut down due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Frost was praised for his performance and won a Tony for Best Leading Role in a Musical and received a Grammy nomination for Best Musical Theatre album.

Which actor did an amazing portrayal of the King of Pop????? And do you think Jaafar Jackson will make an amazing portrayal of his uncle???????

Comment below!!!!!

And check out Jaafar Jackson's "Got Me Singing" I know this song is like three years old but this song has an incredible type beat and his vocals are similar to his uncle MJ but mostly his father Jermaine's. Let's hope for the better for the biopic. Hopefully, it gets better than the Elvis and Bohie Rhapsody biopics because it has earned them recognition.

Good luck Jaafar!!!!