Jason Weaver

Born on July 18, 1979, in Chicago, Illinois, Jason Michael Weaver was exposed to the entertainment industry from an early age due to his mother, Kitty Haywood, a studio singer. His acting career commenced in 1990 with a role in Oprah Winfrey’s television series “Brewster Place.” A significant early milestone occurred in 1992 when Weaver portrayed a young Michael Jackson in the miniseries “The Jacksons: An American Dream,” which garnered positive reviews. This role served as a foundation for his subsequent work.

Weaver continued his acting career, appearing in the television series “Thea” (1993–1994) alongside Brandy Norwood. In 1994, he provided the singing voice for young Simba in Disney’s animated film “The Lion King,” performing “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King” and “Hakuna Matata.” His family made a notable decision to accept $100,000 and a share of the soundtrack’s royalties instead of a $2 million upfront payment, a choice that proved financially beneficial over time. Following this, he signed with Motown Records, releasing his debut album “Love Ambition” in 1995. From 1997 to 1999, Weaver starred as Marcus Henderson in the WB sitcom “Smart Guy.”

His career extended into the new millennium with roles in films such as “Drumline” (2002), “The Ladykillers” (2004) with Tom Hanks, and “ATL” (2006) alongside T.I. In 2003, Weaver was featured on Chingy’s hit single “One Call Away,” which reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100. More recently, he joined the cast of the Showtime drama series “The Chi” in 2021, taking on the recurring role of Rashaad “Shaad” Marshall, continuing his presence in television.