See the 8 Actors Who Have Played Michael Jackson Onscreen
See the 8 Actors Who Have Played Michael Jackson Onscreen
Stephanie SengweFri, April 24, 2026 at 10:30 AM UTC
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Jason Weaver, Flex Alexander, Jaafar JacksonCredit: Walt Disney Television Photo Archives/Walt Disney Television via Getty; Nomadic Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection; Glen Wilson/Lionsgate
It's not an exaggeration to say Michael Jackson's music career is legendary. Plenty of today's top artists —Beyoncé, Usher, Ciara, Victoria Monét and more — cite him as a source inspiration. Thriller, his sixth studio album, is still the best-selling album of all time, having more than 100 million world-wide and snagging a record-breaking eight Grammys in one night back in 1984.
Still, the King of Pop's life wasn't without controversy, which ranged from wacky (befriending and adopting a chimp) to much darker (child abuse allegations). As a result, his life offstage became just as much a spectacle as his onstage persona. Jackson died in 2009, but his life story continues to inspire filmmakers who try to capture not just his greatness, but his troubles as well. From Jason Weaver's performance in 1992's The Jacksons: An American Dream to Jafaar Jackson's portrayal of his uncle in 2026's Michael, Michael Jackson remains one of the most buzzworthy artists of our time.
Below, see some of the actors who have portrayed Michael Jackson onscreen.
01 of 08
Jaafar Jackson in 'Michael'
Jaafar JacksonCredit: Glen Wilson/LIONSGATE
Jaafar Jackson, son to Michael's brother Jermaine, landed the role of his uncle in Michael, which hits theaters April 24.. And as tight knit as the Jacksons may be, the 29-year-old revealed that he initially didn't share with his family members that he had landed the part.
"No one in my family knew for a full year. I kept it pretty quiet until I felt comfortable enough to share it," Jaafar told costar Miles Teller when they sat down for Interview magazine. "But when my mom saw it onscreen, it blew her away. It was hard for her to connect it to me, so it was very emotional for her."
02 of 08
Juliano Valdi in 'Michael'
Juliano Krue ValdiCredit: Courtesy of Lionsgate
Portraying the King of Pop's early years in Michael is Juliano Valdi. Asked what inspires him the most about Michael Jackson, Valdi told Fox 11 Los Angeles, "He is a genius. Michael Jackson is the best dancer and singer I've ever heard in my entire life." The 12-year-old actor also revealed his favorite Jackson 5 song to sing is "ABC" because "the choreography is super fun."
03 of 08
Alex Burrall, 'The Jacksons: An American Dream'
Alex BurrallCredit: Walt Disney Television Photo Archives/Walt Disney Television via Getty
Alex Burrall played a young Michael Jackson in The Jacksons: An American Dream, a five-hour miniseries that aired on ABC back in 1992. The show chronicled the Jacksons' humble beginnings in Gary, Ind. all the way to Michael's solo successes. Burrall was one of the actors who portrayed the Thriller singer, showcasing his pre-pubescent years.
04 of 08
Jason Weaver in 'The Jacksons: An American Dream'
Jason WeaverCredit: William Maldonado /American Broadcasting Companies via Getty
You know Jason Weaver from The Lion King, Smart Guy and ATL, but his take on a teenage Michael Jackson was a breakout for him. He not only managed to captivate audiences with his ability to convey Michael's adolescent emotions, but the then-13-year-old also performed the songs himself.
"I think the only time I really sat down and studied for a role was when I played Michael Jackson and rightfully so. I had to have my s--- together," Weaver told Raw Room. "I was singing the songs, so it was a lot of studying and a lot of time working with myself, working in the mirror [and] studying tape."
05 of 08
Wylie Draper in 'The Jacksons: An American Dream'
Wylie DraperCredit: Sharon M Beard /American Broadcasting Companies via Getty
In the same movie, Wylie Draper played the "Billie Jean" hitmaker in his older years. Sadly, Draper died of leukemia a year after the movie was released.
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"Wylie was one of the cast members who really helped me the most as far as really locking down Michael's persona even on stage," Weaver told The Art of Dialogue. After explaining that all the cast members on the show understood the weight of getting those performances right, Weaver also gave insight into what made Wylie the best teacher.
"Wylie and I would get together and just go over moves in the mirror and he'd give me suggestions because he was really on point when it came to Michael," he recalled. "I think prior to him being cast in the miniseries, he was a performer on cruise ships as a Michael impersonator."
06 of 08
Flex Alexander in 'Man in the Mirror: The Michael Jackson Story'
Flex AlexanderCredit: Nomadic Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
Perhaps one of the more debated (and now, heavily memed) performances was Flex Alexander's. He played the King of Pop in the 2004 VH1 biopic, Man in the Mirror: The Michael Jackson Story. Alexander had his own concerns about the movie (including being painted to emulate Jackson's vitiligo) and knew that Jackson himself was unhappy with the film.
"He was never upset about me or my performance," the actor told The Art of Dialogue. "It was the [abuse] allegations and the stuff that was going on at the time that he was upset [about]. He was like, 'Why do we have to keep talking about this?'"
07 of 08
Joseph Fiennes in 'Urban Myths'
Joseph FiennesCredit: Lifetime
Joseph Fiennes was cast as Michael Jackson in Urban Myths: A Brand New Collection of TV Comedies — a satirical eight-part series recreating rumored tales about celebrities — for the British network, Sky Arts. The first trailer for the show caused fan outrage over the racial issues.
Paris Jackson, Michael's daughter, spoke out against the portrayal, writing on X (then Twitter), "It honestly makes me want to vomit. It angers me to see how obviously intentional it was for them to be this insulting, not just towards my father, but my godmother [Elizabeth Taylor] as well.”
"Where is the respect? They worked through blood sweat and tears for ages to create such profound and remarkable legacies. Shameful portrayal,” she continued. “He made a point of it plenty of times to express his pride in his roots. He would never have wanted this.”
The network ultimately pulled the episode, and though Fiennes initially stood by his performance, he later expressed regret in having participated.
"It was a wrong decision,” Fiennes admitted to The Observer. “I’m one part of that — there are producers, broadcasters, writers, directors, all involved in these decisions, but obviously if I’m up front, I have become the voice for other people. I would love them to be around the table as well to talk about it. But you know, it came at a time where there was a movement and a shift and that was good, and it was, you know, a bad call. A bad mistake.”
“I think people are absolutely right to be upset,” Fiennes concluded. “I asked the broadcaster to pull it. And there were some pretty hefty discussions, but ultimately people made the right choice.”
08 of 08
Navi in 'Michael Jackson: Searching for Neverland'
NaviCredit: Deadra Bryant/Lifetime TV/Courtesy: Everett Collection
Navi Charles, one of the most popular Michael Jackson impersonators, took his act to the small screen, playing the musician in Lifetime's Michael Jackson: Searching for Neverland. Charles was so good at being Michael, MJ himself used to hire him as a decoy.
"I'd come out of the hotels, Michael would go around the back way... sometimes it was great, sometimes it was frightening because there was like 2500 people and not enough security," he told Wendy Williams. "It can be frightening. Michael is very loved."
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