Meet the Jordans: How Michael B.’s Parents and Siblings Inspired His Rise to Stardom

The Breakdown: Behind every great talent are the people who helped them shine. For Michael B. Jordan, the leading man in films like Fruitvale Station, Creed, and Sinners, that motivation came from parents who raised him to be excellent.

We’ve seen Michael B. Jordan play it all: a young father killed by police, a Marvel movie villain, a resilient boxer, and even a pair of twins. If you’re looking for range, Michael B. Jordan has got it. His ability to embody characters and bring stories to life has made him a huge Hollywood success.

The Sinners star has credited a lot of that success to the people who raised him. He told People: “My mom and dad sacrificed so much to provide for my sister, brother, and me … it all comes back to that foundation.” So, let’s meet Michael B. Jordan’s parents and his equally talented siblings.

If you’ve ever wondered if Michael B. Jordan is related to or named after the NBA legend, you wouldn’t be alone. Though the pair shares a name, there’s no relation. Michael B. Jordan did get his name from his father, Michael A. Jordan. That’s also part of where he got his incredible work ethic. Jordan Sr. was a supervisor at New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport before starting a catering business.

Michael B. Jordan also attributes his passion for Black history and advancement to his father. He told Guideposts, “We were expected to read not just the textbooks assigned in school but books that told us who we were and where we had come from and how we could make a difference. Whenever I’d walk by the dining room, there would be my Dad absorbed in another book about issues of justice, civil rights, black history …”

We can see that influence in his filmography, with movies like Fruitvale Station and Sinners exploring the experiences of Black people in America. Those values were echoed on the maternal side, too. Jordan’s mother, Donna Jordan, was a school teacher and guidance counselor who emphasized the importance of community.

But while both parents shaped the trajectory of Jordan’s career, it was his mother who got him his start in acting. She signed him up for modelling as a pre-teen. Acting opportunities soon started pouring in, including roles on The Wire (2002), All My Children (2003-2006), and Friday Night Lights (2006), and Jordan fell in love with acting.

One of the values Michael B. Jordan’s parents taught him was to protect your family. His mother once said, “You protect your family, you make sure that everyone is taken care of, you know? That structure was passed down from my grandmother and grandfather.”

Jordan has certainly continued that legacy, taking great care of his family. In 2015, as his career was blossoming, Jordan bought his parents a house in Sherman Oaks, Calif. For many years, he lived with them in that home, enjoying their cooking and company, until he bought his own house in 2020.

Even when living apart, Jordan has been intentional about including his family in his life and success. He’s attended several award shows and walked many red carpets with his parents and siblings. His entire family was even included in a campaign for “Coach Family” in Fall 2020.

There’s a stereotype that middle children are often ignored. That’s clearly not the case for Michael B. Jordan, who has risen to become one of the hottest actors in Hollywood. But that doesn’t mean his siblings aren’t blazing their own paths to success. Both of them have built careers on the business side of the entertainment industry.

Jordan’s older sister, Jamila Jordan-Theus, has put her broadcasting degree from Temple University to good use. She’s been the head of motion picture for Genius Entertainment since 2021 and is an Emmy-winning producer.

Her resume includes Turning Tables with Robin Roberts (2021), Dreamland: The Burning of Black Wall Street (2021) (co-executive produced with LeBron James), and Fantasy Football (2022) starring Omari Hardwick and Kelly Rowland.

Their younger brother, Khalid Jordan, is making waves in entertainment too. In high school, he followed his passion for the industry into a major in television production. In college, he interned at Sesame Workshop and BET. Now, he’s a director of development at Macro Television Studios, a media company that focuses on Black stories and perspectives. He’s also previously worked at notable entertainment companies like Mass Appeal and William Morris Endeavor.

Either there was something in the water at the Jordan house, or Michael B. Jordan’s parents have cracked the code to raising brilliant children. Whatever the case, the Jordans have plenty to be proud of. We’re sure there are lots more accolades and accomplishments on the horizon for their family.