Michael Jordan and Michael B. Jordan are two stars in very different fields. On one side, there’s Michael Jordan, one of the most legendary basketball players of all time. On the other, there’s Michael B. Jordan, an actor who hasn’t quite reached Hollywood legend status but is certainly close. The age gap between the two is 24 years, and they share the same name with just one letter difference. This leads to speculation about whether they are related. Are Michael Jordan and Michael B. Jordan father and son? Are they uncle and nephew? Are they cousins? Or complete strangers to each other? We’ll give you all the details because yes, some people are seriously asking the question.
Michael Jordan and Michael B. Jordan have one thing in common
Out of the approximately 350 million Americans in the United States, there are a few thousand Michael Jordan’s (they’ve been counted). So, while there might be a small chance they’re related, the two most famous Michael Jordan’s on the planet only share their identity in common.
The elder, Michael Jordan, was born in 1963 in Brooklyn, one of the boroughs of New York City on the East Coast. His middle name is Jeffrey. He spent most of his basketball career in Chicago from 1984 to 1998, where he was the undisputed star of the Bulls and the NBA. He was a six-time champion, a five-time MVP, and a two-time Olympic champion. He ended his career with the Washington Wizards in 2003 after a brief retirement. Since then, he has transitioned into a businessman and amateur golfer.
Michael Jordan and Michael B. Jordan, no connection…
The younger, Michael B. Jordan, was born in 1987 in Santa Ana, California, on the West Coast. The “B” stands for Bakary. His parents didn’t choose to name him Michael in tribute to the basketball player – who was already a star when he was born! – but simply because his father, Michael A., shares the same name. Although there may have been some teasing and inconveniences due to sharing the same name, Michael B. Jordan has mentioned that it also had a positive impact on his career, giving him a competitive spirit to excel in his endeavors.
Michael Jordan and Michael B. Jordan, two different worlds
Michael B. Jordan has made it clear that he has no relation to the famous basketball player. However, sharing the same name did lead to some humorous incidents, such as being hung up on when ordering a pizza over the phone. Despite the confusion, Michael B. Jordan acknowledges that having the illustrious surname inspired him to compete and strive for excellence in his work.
When Michael B. Jordan landed his first role in an episode of “The Sopranos” in 1999, he was credited as Michael Jordan. It wasn’t until he got a major role in “The Wire” in 2002 that he added the “B” to his name to avoid any confusion with the athlete.
Have Michael Jordan and Michael B. Jordan ever met?
The two Michaels have almost crossed paths. In 2021, during an appearance on the Rich Eisen talk show, Michael B. Jordan revealed that he once shook hands with his namesake at an All-Star event, but the encounter only lasted less than 10 seconds. Michael B. hopes to have a real meeting with him someday, not just because of their shared name, but also out of admiration for the basketball player’s accomplishments. They just need to find the right opportunity.
