Cast of Fox Sitcom 'Living Single'

Mel Jackson | Biography

Lead character in the 2008 thriller film 'Abduction of Jesse Bookman'

• By Reena Chikanbanjar
• Original : December 30, 2021

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Mel Jackson is an American actor best known for playing the lead character in the 2008 thriller film Abduction of Jesse Bookman.

Who is Mel Jackson?

Born in Chicago, Illinois, on 13 October 1970, Mel Jackson made his acting debut in the 1995 film Scenes for the Soul. In 1996, he appeared as Tommie Rahwn in the television movie To Sir, with Love II. The same year, Jackson made a guest appearance as Ahmad Zaire in the comedy television series The Parent ‘Hood. 

In 1997, he appeared in guest-starring roles in the television series NYPD Blue and Hitz. That year, he also appeared as Simuel in the comedy-drama film Soul Food, alongside Vanessa Williams, and Eddie in the television miniseries George Wallace, alongside Angelina Jolie. Jackson also appeared on the TLC special, Native Son (1996-1997).

Between 1997 and 1999, he appeared in a recurring television role as Ira Lee ‘Trip’ Williams on Living Single and Graham Parks on In the House. Simultaneously, in 1998, he starred as Norman Whitfield in the television miniseries The Temptation. 

He then guest-starred in the television series Vengeance Unlimited as Jay Jackson and The Jamie Foxx Show as Kenny in 1999. The same year, he landed the role of husband Howard in the thriller film Uninvited Guest, opposite Mekhi Phifer. 

In 2000, he portrayed the role of Bump Blackwell in the historical drama television movie Little Richard. Then, in 2003, Jackson played the role of Timothy ‘Tim’ in the romantic comedy film Deliver Us from Eva.

Jackson’s breakthrough came when he played the title role as Jesse Bookman in the 2008 thriller film Abduction of Jesse Bookman. Jesse Bookman is a troubled New Orleans burglary police detective who became famous after foiling a robbery. 

The character later contends with a Voodoo priest who chooses him as the priest’s first human sacrifice to pay off a debt owed to the devil. For his remarkable performance in the film, he won the ‘Best Performance by an Actor Award’ at American Black Film Festival.

His other notable film credits include Dancing in September (2000), Automatic (2001), Flip the Script (2005), The Marriage Chronicles (2012), Four Seasons (2014), and Civilian Life (2015). He also appeared in television movies Playing with Fire (2000), If You Really Love Me (2012), and Fear Files (2015). 

He also appeared in short films, including Carmin’s Choice (1998) and The Truth (2011).

Besides his acting career, Jackson's Instagram bio describes him as a producer and has over a dozen credits under his belt. He produced the 2008 film Abduction of Jesse Bookman. He then produced the 2011 short film Funny How Things Happen, which he also wrote. In 2012, he executive produced eleven short films, including Torn, The Chronicles of Nathan Gregory, Nice Guy, and A Boost of Love.

Furthermore, Jackson is an R&B musician. He toured with R&B singer Deborah Cox in the play Love on Layaway in 2003. He also toured with the play Friends and Lovers in 2004. 

Additionally, he is an author who has published a relationship book titled ‘Keeping the Pussy.’

Wife

Jackson was not married until 2014. He told GlobalMixx in an interview on 26 October 2014 that he was not married and was single at the time. He also revealed that he was not in any committed relationship, and he did not have any biological children. 

However, Jackson revealed nothing about his personal life after the 2014 interview. Therefore, whether he has a girlfriend/wife is unknown. 

In addition to that, he was also speculated to be gay because of his not having a girlfriend. But he has spoken nothing about his sexual orientation.

Net Worth

According to Celebrity Net Worth, Mel Jackson has a net worth of $2 million as of 2021, which he primarily accumulated through his acting and producing career.