Key Insights

• Identity Challenge: Michael B Jordan discussed how sharing a name with NBA legend Michael Jordan influenced his childhood.
• Parental Influence: He revealed that his parents were his primary role models growing up.
• Name Significance: Michael emphasized the importance of names in shaping identity and public perception.
• Career Aspirations: He expressed a desire to achieve greatness in his own right, distinct from the famous athlete.

Michael B Jordan is opening up about having the same name as one of the greatest NBA players of all time, Michael Jordan.

The 38-year-old Emmy-nominated actor recently talked about sharing the name with the athlete affected him as a child and wanting to craft his own identity.

Keep reading to find out more…

While speaking with former Friday Night Lights co-star Jesse Plemons for Variety‘s Actors on Actors, Michael was asked who his heroes were and this led into a conversation about the same name.

“I always feel bad, because I didn’t look up to a lot of people as a kid. My parents was my bar of how to do things,” he said. “And I think having the name Michael Jordan as a kid affected things in a way that, in hindsight, I can talk about. But in the moment, I didn’t really understand.”

“Your name is important. It’s how you introduce yourself and how the world responds to you,” MBJ continued. “But when there’s another guy out there who’s the guy, I think it created a healthy chip [on my shoulder]. Wanting to be competitive. Wanting your own identity in a way. I wanted to be great at something, and I didn’t know what it was going to be. I just wanted to be great at it.”

Jesse then asked if Michael ever asked why his parents gave him the same name as Michael Jordan, and he noted it’s also his dad’s name.

“My dad’s older than Mike. So I had no shot,” MBJ said. “It was all meant to be, real talk.”

Jesse pointed out that the athlete was also “notorious for using that chip” and it’s working out for both of them, with Michael responding, “He’s Michael A. I’m Michael B. Look, man. We can’t wait another two decades to do this again.”

If you missed it, Michael B Jordan has a new version of The Thomas Crown Affair coming out, and he’s also in talks to remake another past movie!