Jason Weaver

Jason Michael Weaver (born July 18, 1979) is an American actor and singer 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.

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 pre-teen Michael Jackson (aged 9-14) in the 1992 miniseries The Jacksons: An American Dream, and starred on the television sitcoms Thea (1993–1994) and Smart Guy (1997–1999). In 1992, he provided the singing voice of young Simba in Disney's 1994 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.

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

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.

Personal life Weaver is the son of Marilyn "Kitty" Haywood and Robert Lincoln Weaver. Haywood 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 1976 film Sparkle.

Weaver studied at Thornwood High School. He has one son named Jaylen.

Discography Albums + List of studio albums, with selected chart positions Title Album details Peak chart positions USR&B Love AmbitionReleased: June 27, 1995 Label: Motown Format: CD, cassette 69

Singles

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 1990 The Long Walk Home Franklin Cotter The Kid Who Loved Christmas Ernie TV movie 1994 The Lion King Young Simba (singing voice) Summertime Switch Fast Freddie Egan TV movie 2000 Freedom Song Isaac Hawkins TV movie 2002 Drumline Ernest 2004 The Ladykillers Weemack Funthes 2006 ATL Teddy 2008 Love For Sale Vince Jada Jamal 2010 Grown Man Himself TV movie Lottery Ticket Ray Ray 2011 He's Mine Not Yours Kent 2012 Dysfunctional Friends Gary Note to Self Jay Lewis 2013 Hope for Love Ricky When a Woman's Fed Up Troy Marry Me for Christmas Franklin TV movie What Would You Do for Love Troy TV movie 2014 Wal-Bob's Keith Harrington 2015 Infidelity Frankie 2016 Merry Ex-Mas Perry TV movie 2017 Another Man Will - BlacKorea Mark Senior Short 2021 AM Radio Willie the Silly DJ

Television Year Title Role Notes 1990 Brewster Place Matthew Thomas Main cast 1992 The Jacksons: An American Dream Michael Jackson (aged 9–14) Episode: "Part I & II" 1993–94 Thea Jerome Turrell Main cast 1995 Soul Train Himself Episode: "Aaron Neville/Silk/Jason Weaver" 1996 Sister, Sister Nicky/Darnell Episode: "Summer Bummer" & "Boy from the Hood" 1997–99 Smart Guy Marcus Henderson Main cast 2011–14 The LeBrons Condor (voice) Main cast 2014 Let's Stay Together Curtis Recurring cast: season 4 2015 Black-ish Ta-Ta Episode: "Chop Shop" 2016 Nubbin & Friends Ollie the Squirrell (voice) Episode: "The Letter "A"" 2018 Unsung Himself Episode: "The Boys" 2020 Boomerang Barber Episode: "Reversal of a Dog" 2021 We Stay Looking Miles Episode: "Red Flavored Drink" 2021–2016 The Chi Rashaad "Shaad" Marshall Recurring 2023 Sistas Brian Recurring cast: season 6

Awards and nominations