Jason Weaver

Last updated
Jason Weaver
JasonWeaver2023.png
Weaver in 2023.
Born
Jason Michael Weaver

(1979-07-18) July 18, 1979 (age 44)
Other namesJ-Weav
Occupation(s)Actor, singer
Years active1990present

Jason Michael Weaver (born July 18, 1979) is an American actor and singer [1] best known for his roles as Marcus Henderson on The WB sitcom Smart Guy, Jerome Turrell on the short-lived sitcom Thea from 1993 to 1994, and the preteen Michael Jackson on the 1992 miniseries The Jacksons: An American Dream , which originally both aired on ABC. He was also the singing voice of the young Simba in Walt Disney Feature Animation's 1994 film The Lion King . He was featured on Chingy's 2004 hit single "One Call Away", which peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. He played Teddy in the 2006 hit movie ATL.

Contents

Career

Acting career

One of Weaver's earliest acting roles was on Oprah Winfrey's 1990 television series Brewster Place . He went on to portray a young Michael Jackson in the 1992 miniseries The Jacksons: An American Dream , and starred on the television sitcoms Thea (1993–1994) and Smart Guy (1997–1999). In 1994, he provided the singing voice of young Simba in Disney's animated feature film The Lion King .

In 2002, Weaver appeared in Drumline with Nick Cannon, followed by a role in The Ladykillers in 2004. In 2004, he also was a featured artist in the song "One Call Away", as well as in the music video that also starred Keshia Knight Pulliam and AND1 baller Phillip "Hot Sauce" Champion. In 2006, Weaver was featured in a supporting role in the film ATL starring rappers T.I. and Big Boi from OutKast. He also appeared as an extra in the music video "Rock Yo Hips" by Crime Mob featuring Lil Scrappy and "Make Up Bag" by The-Dream featuring T.I. In 2011, he starred in the film He's Mine Not Yours alongside Caryn Ward, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Carl Anthony Payne II and Clifton Powell. He is also in the hit TV show The Chi.

Focus on music

Weaver is also a recording artist. He provided vocals for his role as Michael Jackson in The Jacksons: An American Dream and as the singing voice of the cub Simba in Disney's 1994 animated feature film The Lion King . [2]

His debut album, Love Ambition, was released on Motown Records on June 27, 1995. He released two versions of the song "Stay with Me". [3]

In 2003, he collaborated with hip-hop rapper Chingy on the track "One Call Away". The single was a top five hit in the United States. [4]

Personal life

Weaver is the son of Marilyn "Kitty" Haywood and Robert Lincoln Weaver. His mother is a member of the Chicago-based female vocal group Kitty & the Haywoods, who backed with the late Aretha Franklin on the soundtrack album to the 1970s film Sparkle. He studied at Thornwood High School. [5] Weaver has one son named Jaylen.[ citation needed ]

Discography

Albums

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions
TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positions
US
R&B

[6]
Love Ambition
  • Released: June 27, 1995
  • Label: Motown
  • Format: CD, cassette
69

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions and parent album
TitleYearPeak chart positionsAlbum
US
R&B

[6]
"I Wanna Be Where You Are"1992Non-album single
"Love Ambition (Call on Me)"199532Love Ambition
"I Can't Stand the Pain"60
"Stay with Me"199659
"One Call Away"
(Chingy featuring J-Weav)
20043 Jackpot

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1990 The Long Walk Home Franklin Cotter
The Kid Who Loved ChristmasErnieTV movie
1994 The Lion King Young Simba (singing voice)
Summertime SwitchFast Freddie EganTV movie
2000 Freedom Song Isaac HawkinsTV movie
2002 Drumline Ernest
2004 The Ladykillers Weemack Funthes
2006 ATL Teddy
2008 Love For Sale Vince
Jada Jamal
2010Grown ManHimselfTV movie
Lottery Ticket Ray Ray
2011He's Mine Not YoursKent
2012 Dysfunctional Friends Gary
Note to SelfJay Lewis
2013Hope for LoveRicky
When a Woman's Fed UpTroy
Marry Me for ChristmasFranklinTV movie
What Would You Do for LoveTroyTV movie
2014Wal-Bob'sKeith Harrington
2015InfidelityFrankie
2016Merry Ex-MasPerryTV movie
2017Another Man Will-
BlacKoreaMark SeniorShort
2021AM RadioWillie the Silly DJ

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1990 Brewster Place Matthew ThomasMain cast
1992 The Jacksons: An American Dream Michael Jackson (aged 9–14)Episode: "Part I & II"
1993–94 Thea Jerome TurrellMain cast
1995 Soul Train HimselfEpisode: "Aaron Neville/Silk/Jason Weaver"
1996 Sister, Sister Nicky/DarnellEpisode: "Summer Bummer" & "Boy from the Hood"
1997–99 Smart Guy Marcus HendersonMain cast
2011–14 The LeBrons Condor (voice)Main cast
2014 Let's Stay Together CurtisRecurring cast: season 4
2015 Black-ish Ta-TaEpisode: "Chop Shop"
2016Nubbin & FriendsOllie the Squirrell (voice)Episode: "The Letter "A""
2018 Unsung HimselfEpisode: "The Boys"
2020 Boomerang BarberEpisode: "Reversal of a Dog"
2021We Stay LookingMilesEpisode: "Red Flavored Drink"
2021-present The Chi Rashaad "Shaad" MarshallRecurring
2023 Sistas BrianRecurring cast: season 6

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryTitle of workResult
1993 Young Artist Award Outstanding Young Performers Starring in a Mini-SeriesThe Jacksons: An American Dream(Shared with Alex Burrall)Won
1994Young Artist AwardOutstanding Youth Ensemble in a Television SeriesThea(Shared with Brenden Jefferson, Adam Jeffries, Brandy Norwood)Nominated
1995Young Artist AwardBest Performance by a Young Actor in a Voiceover - TV or MovieThe Lion KingWon

Related Research Articles

<i>The Lion King</i> 1994 American animated musical drama film

The Lion King is a 1994 American animated musical coming-of-age drama film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Buena Vista Pictures Distribution under the Walt Disney Pictures banner. The film was directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff and produced by Don Hahn, from a screenplay written by Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts, and Linda Woolverton. The film features an ensemble voice cast that includes Matthew Broderick, Moira Kelly, James Earl Jones, Jeremy Irons, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Niketa Calame, Nathan Lane, Ernie Sabella, Whoopi Goldberg, Cheech Marin, Rowan Atkinson, and Robert Guillaume. Its original songs were written by composer Elton John and lyricist Tim Rice, with a score by Hans Zimmer. Inspired by African wildlife, the story is modelled primarily on William Shakespeare's stage play Hamlet with some influence from the Biblical stories of Joseph and Moses, and follows a young heir apparent who is forced to flee after his uncle kills his father and usurps the throne. After growing up in exile, the rightful king returns to challenge the usurper and end his tyrannical rule over the kingdom.

<i>The Lion King II: Simbas Pride</i> 1998 animated film

The Lion King II: Simba's Pride is a 1998 American animated direct-to-video musical drama film produced by Walt Disney Video Premiere. It is the sequel to Disney's 1994 animated film, The Lion King, with its plot influenced by William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, and the second installment in The Lion King trilogy. According to director Darrell Rooney, the final draft gradually became a variation of Romeo and Juliet.

<i>The Lion King 1½</i> 2004 animated Disney film

The Lion King 1½ is a 2004 American animated direct-to-video musical comedy film produced by DisneyToon Studios and released theatrical release on February 10, 2004. The third installment in the Lion King franchise, the film is both a prequel and a sidequel to The Lion King, focusing on the supporting characters Timon and Pumbaa. A majority of the voice cast from the first film returns to reprise their roles, including Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella as the voices of Timon and Pumbaa, respectively. The film's structure is inspired by Tom Stoppard's Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, a tragicomedy that tells the story of Hamlet from the point of view of two minor characters. The Lion King 1½ received generally positive reviews from critics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jonathan Taylor Thomas</span> American actor, voice actor, and director

Jonathan Taylor Thomas is an American actor and director. He is known for portraying Randy Taylor on Home Improvement and voicing young Simba in Disney's 1994 animated feature film The Lion King and Pinocchio in New Line Cinema's 1996 film The Adventures of Pinocchio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Simba</span> Main character of The Lion King

Simba is a fictional character in Disney's The Lion King franchise. First appearing as a lion cub in The Lion King (1994), the character flees his homeland when his father, King Mufasa, is killed by his treacherous uncle, Scar. Several years later, Simba returns home as an adult to reconcile his childhood trauma, confront Scar, and reclaim his rightful place as King of the Pride Lands. He subsequently appears in the sequels The Lion King II: Simba's Pride (1998) and The Lion King 1½ (2004). Simba was originally voiced by actors Matthew Broderick and Jonathan Taylor Thomas as an adult and cub, respectively; various actors have voiced the character in related media.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Madge Sinclair</span> Jamaican actress (1938–1995)

Madge Dorita Sinclair CD was a Jamaican actress best known for her roles in Cornbread, Earl and Me (1975), Convoy (1978), Coming to America (1988), Trapper John, M.D. (1980–1986), and the ABC TV miniseries Roots (1977). Sinclair also voiced the character of Sarabi, Mufasa's mate and Simba's mother, in the Disney animated feature film The Lion King (1994). A five-time Emmy Award nominee, Sinclair won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress – Drama Series for her role as "Empress" Josephine in Gabriel's Fire in 1991.

<i>The Jacksons: An American Dream</i> 1992 film directed by Karen Arthur

The Jacksons: An American Dream is an American five-hour miniseries broadcast in two halves on ABC and originally broadcast on November 15 through November 18, 1992. It is based upon the history of the Jackson family, one of the most successful musical families in show business, and the early and successful years of the popular Motown group the Jackson 5.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joseph Williams (musician)</span> American singer, songwriter, and composer

Joseph Stanley Williams is an American singer, songwriter and film score composer, best known as the lead vocalist of the rock band Toto from 1986 to 1988 and again since 2010. Williams is a son of actress Barbara Ruick and prolific film composer John Williams. Outside of Toto, he has worked as a composer and studio vocalist, including providing the singing voice of adult Simba in the 1994 animated film The Lion King.

Nala (<i>The Lion King</i>) Fictional character from The Lion King franchise

Nala is a fictional character in Disney's The Lion King film franchise. Introduced in the animated film The Lion King (1994), Nala subsequently appears as a less prominent character in the film's sequels The Lion King II: Simba's Pride (1998) and The Lion King 1½ (2004), and serves as a recurring character in The Lion Guard (2015–2019). In the original animated film trilogy, the adult Nala is voiced by American actress Moira Kelly. Young Nala's speaking voice in the original film is provided by actress Niketa Calame, while singers Laura Williams and Sally Dworsky provide the singing voices of young and adult Nala respectively. Nala is introduced as the daughter of an unnamed lion and Sarafina, the best friend of Simba, and ultimately becomes his wife as well as the daughter-in-law of Mufasa and Sarabi and the niece-in-law of Scar by the end of The Lion King. Nala becomes Simba's wife as well as his Queen Consort. Nala is also the mother of Kiara and Kion, and in The Lion King: Six New Adventures, she is the mother of Kopa.

<i>ATL</i> (film) 2006 American comedy-drama film by Chris Robinson

ATL is a 2006 American coming-of-age comedy-drama film, and the feature film directorial debut of music video director Chris Robinson. The screenplay was written by Tina Gordon Chism from an original story by Antwone Fisher, and is loosely based on the experiences of the film's producers Dallas Austin and Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins growing up in Atlanta, Georgia (ATL). The film is a coming-of-age tale concerning Rashad, played by Atlanta native and hip hop artist T.I. in his film debut, and his friends in their final year in high school and on the verge of adulthood. The film also stars Antwan Andre Patton, more commonly known as Big Boi of the hip hop group OutKast; Evan Ross; Jackie Long; Jason Weaver; Lauren London; and Mykelti Williamson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timon and Pumbaa</span> Fictional meerkat and warthog duo from Disneys The Lion King franchise

Timon and Pumbaa are an animated meerkat and warthog duo introduced in Disney's 1994 animated feature film The Lion King and its franchise. Timon was played through his many appearances by Nathan Lane, Max Casella, Kevin Schon, Quinton Flynn, Bruce Lanoil in the Wild About Safety shorts and Kingdom Hearts II, while Pumbaa is voiced by Ernie Sabella, and was portrayed by Tom Alan Robbins in the original cast of the Broadway musical. In the CGI remake, the characters are portrayed by Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen, respectively. Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella first came to audition for the roles of the hyenas, but when the producers saw how well they worked together, they decided to cast them as Timon and Pumbaa.

Jason Raize Rothenberg, known professionally as Jason Raize, was an American actor, singer, and former Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environment Programme. He was best known for his roles as the adult Simba in the Broadway stage musical version of The Lion King and the voice of Denahi in the animated Disney film Brother Bear.

"I Just Can't Wait to Be King" is a song written by Elton John (music) and Tim Rice (lyrics) for the Disney animated feature film The Lion King (1994). The song is performed by American actor and singer Jason Weaver as the singing voice of young Simba, with English actor Rowan Atkinson and American actress Laura Williams providing supporting vocals in their roles as Zazu and the singing voice of young Nala, respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hakuna Matata (song)</span> 1994 song from The Lion King film

"Hakuna Matata" is a song from Disney's 1994 animated feature film The Lion King. The music was written by Elton John with lyrics by Tim Rice. The song is based on Timon and Pumbaa's catchphrase in the movie, Hakuna matata, a Swahili phrase meaning "No worry(ies)".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Circle of Life</span> Song from Disneys 1994 animated film The Lion King

"Circle of Life" is the song from Disney's 1994 animated feature film The Lion King. Composed by English musician Elton John, with lyrics by Tim Rice, the song was performed by Carmen Twillie and Lebo M as the film's opening song. In an interview, Rice said he was amazed at the speed with which John composed: "I gave him the lyrics at the beginning of the session at about two in the afternoon. By half-past three, he'd finished writing and recording a stunning demo." John sang a pop version of the song with the London Community Gospel Choir, which was included in the film's soundtrack and made into a music video.

The Lion King is a Disney media franchise comprising a film series and additional media. The success of animated original 1994 American feature film, The Lion King, directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff, led to a direct-to-video sequel and prequel, a live-action remake in 2019, a television film sequel, two spin-off television series, three educational shorts, several video games, merchandise, and the third-longest-running musical in Broadway history, which garnered six Tony Awards including Best Musical. The franchise is one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time. The franchise as a whole has EGOT-ed, meaning it has won the four biggest awards of American show business.

"Endless Night" is a song written by Lebo M, Hans Zimmer, Julie Taymor, and Jay Rifkin. It premiered in 1997 as part of the musical The Lion King, a stage adaptation of Disney's 1994 animated feature film of the same name. Mark Mancina produced the song and arranged by Mark A. Brymer. Taymor wrote the lyrics based on the melody from "Lala", a song from the 1995 soundtrack album Rhythm of the Pride Lands. Jason Raize, who first performed the role of Simba for the Broadway production, first performed and recorded "Endless Night"; his version is included on the original cast recording.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christopher Jackson (actor)</span> American actor (born 1975)

Christopher Neal Jackson is an American actor and singer. He began his career in 1995 starring in the Off-Broadway musical Time and the Wind by composer Galt MacDermot at the age of 20. He made his Broadway debut in 1997 as an ensemble member in the original Broadway cast of Disney's The Lion King. He remained with the show for several years, ultimately taking over the role of Simba. He went on to perform leading roles in several more Broadway musicals and plays, including After Midnight, Bronx Bombers, Holler If Ya Hear Me, and Memphis. He drew critical acclaim in several projects with Lin-Manuel Miranda: originating the roles of Benny in In the Heights and George Washington in the smash hit Hamilton. For the latter role he was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. He also collaborated with Miranda on the Disney film Moana in which he provides the singing voice of Chief Tui. His other film work includes secondary roles in After.Life and Tracers.

<i>The Lion King</i> (2019 film) 2019 Disney film by Jon Favreau

The Lion King is a 2019 American musical drama film that is a photorealistically animated remake of the traditionally-animated 1994 film The Lion King. It is directed by Jon Favreau, written by Jeff Nathanson, and produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Fairview Entertainment. The film stars the voices of Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Alfre Woodard, Billy Eichner, John Kani, John Oliver, Florence Kasumba, Eric André, Keegan-Michael Key, JD McCrary, Shahadi Wright Joseph, with Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, and James Earl Jones. The plot follows Simba, a young lion who must embrace his role as the rightful king of his homeland following the murder of his father, Mufasa, at the hands of his uncle, Scar.

Jaydon McCrary is an American actor, dancer and singer. He is best known for his turn as Kenny Payne in The Paynes on the Oprah Winfrey Network. He starred in The Lion King (2019) as the voice of young Simba. He is signed to Hollywood Records and released his first extended play Shine, in April 2019. His song "Keep In Touch" was featured in dancing video game Just Dance 2020.

References

  1. "Jason Weaver aka "J Weav" on Instagram: "You wouldn't think that the kid thats in this pic turned 39 years old today, huh? Well, he did and its officially ya boi's birthday…"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2021-12-24. Retrieved 2019-10-11.
  2. "Jason Weaver filmography credits". movies.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2008-09-26.
  3. "Discography - Jason Weaver". Billboard. Retrieved 2008-09-26.
  4. "Artist Chart History - Chingy". billboard.com. Retrieved 2008-09-26.
  5. "Jason Weaver". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2019-10-11.
  6. 1 2 "Chart History – Jason Weaver". Billboard.com . Archived from the original on November 21, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2012.