Mike Colter Biography: Movies, Wife, Children, Height, Ethnicity, Net Worth, Siblings, Age, Parents

Mike Randal Colter, famously known as Mike Colter, is an American actor best known for his powerful portrayal of Luke Cage in Marvel’s Luke Cage (2016–2018), as well as roles in Jessica Jones (2015–2019) and The Defenders (2017), where he brought depth to the bulletproof hero of Harlem.

His commanding screen presence and versatility have made him a standout in both action and dramatic roles, with notable performances in films like Men in Black 3 (2012) and Million Dollar Baby (2004).

Profile

• Full Name: Mike Randal Colter
• Stage Name: Mike Colter
• Born: 26, August 1976
• Age: 48 years old
• Birthplace: Columbia, South Carolina, USA
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Actor
• Height: 1.91 m
• Parents: Eddie Lee Colter Sr., Freddie Marion Colter
• Siblings: 4
• Spouse: Iva Colter (m. 2002)
• Children: Naiella Colter
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $2 million

Early Life and Education

Mike Randal Colter was born on August 26, 1976, in Columbia, South Carolina, to Eddie Lee Colter Sr. and Freddie Marion Colter. The youngest of five children, he grew up with three older brothers and one older sister in a close-knit family in St. Charles, South Carolina. His early interest in acting emerged through his high school theatre experience, where he starred in a production of A Raisin in the Sun.

Colter earned a bachelor’s degree in theatre from the University of South Carolina in 1998 and later pursued an MFA in acting from Rutgers University’s Mason Gross School of the Arts, graduating in 2001. His ethnicity is African American, and his religious beliefs are not publicly detailed, although he has referenced a grounded upbringing.

Career

Mike Colter began his acting career with small but impactful roles, debuting as Big Willie Little in the Oscar-winning Million Dollar Baby (2004), where he played a boxer alongside Clint Eastwood and Hilary Swank.

Early television appearances included guest spots on ER (2002), Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2002), and The Parkers (2003), showcasing his ability to tackle diverse characters. His film roles expanded with parts in Brooklyn Lobster (2005) and Salt (2010), starring alongside Angelina Jolie, laying the foundation for his rise in Hollywood.

His breakthrough came in 2015 when he was cast as Luke Cage in Marvel’s Jessica Jones on Netflix, introducing the character to a broad audience. This led to his starring role in Luke Cage (2016–2018), where he portrayed the stoic, superhuman hero over two seasons, earning a 2017 NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series.

He reprised the role in The Defenders (2017), cementing his place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Colter’s other notable TV work includes a recurring role as Lemond Bishop in The Good Wife (2010–2015) and starring as David Acosta in Evil (2019–2024). This psychological thriller highlighted his ability to balance intensity and empathy.

Colter’s film career continued with roles in Men in Black 3 (2012) as Colonel James Darrell Edwards Jr., Zero Dark Thirty (2012), and Breakthrough (2019) as Tommy Shine. More recent projects include starring in “I’m Charlie Walker” (2022), a drama based on a true story, and “The Union” (2024), an action-comedy starring Mark Wahlberg and Halle Berry.

He has also lent his voice to video games, including Halo 5: Guardians (2015), and appeared in miniseries such as Your Honour (2023). Colter’s dedication to authentic storytelling and his physical presence make him a sought-after actor for both action-driven and character-focused roles, maintaining a strong presence in the industry.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @realmikecolter
• Facebook Handle: Mike Colter
• Twitter Handle: @realmikecolter

Personal Life

Mike Coulter married Iva Coulter, a Netflix executive and talent recruiter, in 2002 after meeting her at Rutgers University during his MFA program. They have two daughters, including Naiella Coulter, born around 2015, with the name of the second daughter kept private.

The family resides in Los Angeles, California, and Colter is known for his commitment to fatherhood, often sharing family-oriented posts on social media.

Filmography

•    Million Dollar Baby (2004) – Big Willie Little
•    Brooklyn Lobster (2005) – Jamal
•    Salt (2010) – CIA Tactical Leader
•    Men in Black 3 (2012) – Colonel James Darrell Edwards Jr.
•    Zero Dark Thirty (2012) – Mike
•    Skin (2019) – Daryle Jenkins
•    Breakthrough (2019) – Tommy Shine
•    The Good Wife (2010–2015) – Lemond Bishop (TV series)
•    Jessica Jones (2015–2019) – Luke Cage (TV series)
•    Luke Cage (2016–2018) – Luke Cage (TV series)
•    The Defenders (2017) – Luke Cage (TV series)
•    Evil (2019–2024) – David Acosta (TV series)
•    Your Honor (2023) – Carlo Baxter (TV miniseries)

Net Worth

Mike Coulter’s estimated net worth is $2 million. His primary sources of income include his starring roles in Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, The Defenders, and Evil, as well as supporting roles in films such as Men in Black Three and Million Dollar Baby.

Additional earnings come from guest appearances on shows like The Good Wife and voice work in video games such as Halo 5: Guardians.