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Jason Weaver

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For the jockey, see Jason Weaver (jockey). For the cricketer, see Jason Weaver (cricketer).
Jason Weaver
Weaver in 2023.
Born
Jason Michael Weaver

(1979-07-18) July 18, 1979 (age 45)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Other namesJ-Weav
Occupation(s)Actor, singer
Years active1990–present

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.

Career

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Acting career

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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 1992, he provided the singing voice of young Simba in Disney's 1994 animated feature film The Lion King.[2]

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

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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.[3]

His debut album, Love Ambition, was released on Motown Records on June 27, 1995. He released two versions of the song "Stay with Me".[4]

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.[5]

Personal life

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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.[6] He has one son named Jaylen.[citation needed]

Discography

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Albums

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List of studio albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
R&B
[7]
Love Ambition
  • Released: June 27, 1995
  • Label: Motown
  • Format: CD, cassette
 69

Singles

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List of singles, with selected chart positions and parent album
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
R&B
[7]
"I Wanna Be Where You Are" 1992 — Non-album single
"Love Ambition (Call on Me)" 1995 32 Love Ambition
"I Can't Stand the Pain" 60
"Stay with Me" 1996 59
"One Call Away"
(Chingy featuring J-Weav) 		2004 3 Jackpot

Filmography

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Film

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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

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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–present The Chi Rashaad "Shaad" Marshall Recurring
2023 Sistas Brian Recurring cast: season 6

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Title of work Result
1993 Young Artist Award Outstanding Young Performers Starring in a Mini-Series The Jacksons: An American Dream (Shared with Alex Burrall) Won
1994 Young Artist Award Outstanding Youth Ensemble in a Television Series Thea (Shared with Brenden Jefferson, Adam Jeffries, Brandy Norwood) Nominated
1995 Young Artist Award Best Performance by a Young Actor in a Voiceover - TV or Movie The Lion King Won

References

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  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. ^ https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/24/movies/lion-king-simba-jason-weaver.html#:~:text=During%20an%20hour%2Dand%2Da,pridelands%20from%20his%20father%2C%20Mufasa.
  3. ^ "Jason Weaver filmography credits". movies.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2008-09-26.
  4. ^ "Discography - Jason Weaver". Billboard. Retrieved 2008-09-26.
  5. ^ "Artist Chart History - Chingy". billboard.com. Retrieved 2008-09-26.
  6. ^ "Jason Weaver". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2019-10-11.
  7. ^ a b "Chart History – Jason Weaver". Billboard.com. Archived from the original on November 21, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
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