Jonathan Majors
Explore the life and career of Jonathan Majors—from breakout performances to legal controversy. Delve into his journey, major roles, challenges, and public reception.
Introduction
Jonathan Michael Majors (born September 7, 1989) is an American actor who gained rapid recognition in film and television. The Last Black Man in San Francisco, Lovecraft Country, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, and Creed III, among others.
However, his rising career has been marred by serious legal and public controversies—particularly a 2023 domestic assault case, conviction in December 2023, and ensuing fallout.
This article gives a comprehensive portrait: his early life, ascent as an actor, controversies, and evolving public perception.
Early Life & Background
Jonathan Majors was born on September 7, 1989, in Lompoc, California. Vandenberg Air Force Base in Santa Barbara County, as his father served in the U.S. Air Force.
His mother is a pastor, and he was raised with siblings.
The family moved around Texas during his youth—cities such as Dallas, Georgetown, Cedar Hill—where Majors attended Cedar Hill High School and later Duncanville High School, from which he graduated in 2008.
Majors has spoken candidly about a challenging upbringing: living in neighborhoods where crime, drug use, and hardship were common, having difficult school experiences (e.g. suspensions, fights), and experiencing homelessness (sleeping in his car while holding jobs) at points.
His turn toward acting was influenced partly by watching The Dark Knight and being affected by Heath Ledger’s performance as the Joker, seeing depth and duality in characters, and wanting to explore complex roles.
Education & Training
Majors earned his BFA from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Yale School of Drama, graduating in 2016.
This formal training gave him a foundation in classical and contemporary acting techniques, helping him transition more confidently into film and television.
Acting Career & Major Roles
Early Roles & Breakthrough
While still in drama school, Majors secured his first on-screen role in the ABC miniseries When We Rise, playing real-life LGBTQ+ activist Ken Jones. Hostiles (2017) as Corporal Henry Woodson. White Boy Rick, Out of Blue, Captive State, Gully, and Jungleland.
His true breakout came in 2019 with The Last Black Man in San Francisco, a deeply emotional and critically praised independent drama. Majors’s performance earned him nominations (e.g. Independent Spirit Awards, Gotham Awards) and broader recognition.
Rise & Marvel / Major Projects
In 2020, Majors starred in Da 5 Bloods, directed by Spike Lee, and led in HBO’s Lovecraft Country as Atticus Freeman, earning strong reviews and Emmy nomination buzz.
In subsequent years, he took on major roles in:
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The Harder They Fall (2021) — a Western ensemble piece
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Devotion (2022) — as Jesse L. Brown
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Creed III (2023) — playing the antagonist
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Within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU): as Kang the Conqueror in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, and variant appearances in Loki
He was being lined up for further MCU involvement, including Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars, as well as other film projects.
Post-Conviction Period
In December 2023, following his misdemeanor conviction for assault and harassment, Marvel Studios officially severed ties with Majors, removing him from future MCU plans.
Despite setbacks, in 2024 he was slated to star in a supernatural revenge thriller titled Merciless, signaling efforts toward a comeback.
Legal Controversy & Public Fallout
2023 Assault Case & Conviction
On March 25, 2023, Majors placed a 911 call from his Manhattan residence and was subsequently arrested and charged with assault, strangulation, and harassment in a dispute involving his then-girlfriend, Grace Jabbari.
His legal defense claimed written statements recanting the allegations. December 18, 2023, Majors was found guilty of one count of reckless assault in the third degree and one count of harassment in the second degree, while he was acquitted on other counts.
In April 2024, he was sentenced to a 52-week domestic violence intervention program, probation, mandatory mental health counseling, and a protective order. No jail time was imposed.
Career & Reputation Impact
In the wake of his conviction, Majors faced swift professional consequences:
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Dropped by management and PR firms
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Removed from film projects and advertising campaigns
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Marvel removed his upcoming MCU roles
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He stepped down from board roles (e.g. Gotham Film & Media Institute)
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Projects like Magazine Dreams were removed from release schedules, though some later resurfaced under different arrangements
The case generated wide public debate about accountability, “cancel culture,” due process, and the responsibility of public figures.
Personal Life
Majors has a daughter (name: Ella).
In May 2023, following the dispute with Jabbari, Majors began dating actress Meagan Good.
Public Image & Legacy
Jonathan Majors’s public image is deeply conflicted. On one hand, he was once hailed as a rising star in Hollywood—talented, charismatic, confident, and capable of carrying blockbuster franchises. On the other hand, his legal conviction and the events surrounding the assault case have reshaped how he is perceived in industry and public discourse.
His trajectory raises difficult questions about accountability, redemption, how art and morality interrelate, and whether or how a figure can recover after serious misconduct.
His future in acting will likely depend not only on talent and opportunity but also on public sentiment and how he addresses the controversies surrounding him.
Selected Filmography
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When We Rise (TV mini-series)
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Hostiles (2017)
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White Boy Rick, Out of Blue, Captive State, Gully, Jungleland
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The Last Black Man in San Francisco (2019)
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Da 5 Bloods (2020)
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Lovecraft Country (TV, 2020)
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The Harder They Fall (2021)
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Devotion (2022)
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Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)
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Creed III (2023)
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Merciless (forthcoming)