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{{Short description|American actor, writer and producer (born 1970)}}
{{Short description|American actor, writer and producer (born 1970)}}
{{Other people|Mike or Michael White|Michael White (disambiguation){{!}}Michael White}}
{{Other people|Mike or Michael White|Michael White (disambiguation){{!}}Michael White}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Mike White
| name = Mike White
| image = Mike White in 2011.jpg
| image = Mike White in 2011.jpg
| alt =
| alt =
| caption = White in November 2011
| caption = White in November 2011
| birth_name = Michael Christopher White
| birth_name = Michael Christopher White
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1970|06|28}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1970|06|28}}
| birth_place = [[Pasadena, California]], U.S.
| birth_place = [[Pasadena, California]], U.S.
| death_date =
| death_date =
| death_place =
| death_place =
| alma_mater = [[Wesleyan University]]
| alma_mater = [[Wesleyan University]]
| occupation = {{csv|Writer|actor|producer|director}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Writer|actor|producer|director|reality TV star}}
| years_active = 1997–present
| years_active = 1997–present
| father = [[Mel White]]
| father = [[Mel White]]
}}
}}

'''Michael Christopher White''' (born June 28, 1970) is an American writer, actor and producer for television and film, and [[reality television]] show contestant. He has won numerous awards, including the [[Independent Spirit John Cassavetes Award]] for the 2000 film ''[[Chuck & Buck]]'', which he wrote and starred in.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/09/magazine/stuff-mike-white-likes.html |title= Stuff Mike White Likes|date= October 7, 2011|access-date=November 23, 2011 |work=[[The New York Times]] |first=Carina |last=Chocano}}</ref> He has written the screenplays for films such as ''[[School of Rock]]'' (2003) and has directed several films that he has written, such as ''[[Brad's Status]]'' (2017). He was the co-creator, executive producer, writer, director and actor on the [[HBO]] series ''[[Enlightened (TV series)|Enlightened]]''.<ref name=FA01/> White is also known for his appearances on reality television, competing on two seasons of ''[[The Amazing Race (American TV series)|The Amazing Race]]'' and later becoming a contestant and runner-up on ''[[Survivor: David vs. Goliath]]''. He created, writes, and directs the ongoing [[HBO]] satire comedy anthology series ''[[The White Lotus]]''.
'''Michael Christopher White''' (born June 28, 1970) is an American filmmaker and actor. He has won numerous awards, including the [[Independent Spirit John Cassavetes Award]] for the 2000 film ''[[Chuck & Buck]]'', which he wrote and starred in.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/09/magazine/stuff-mike-white-likes.html |title= Stuff Mike White Likes|date= October 7, 2011|access-date=November 23, 2011 |work=[[The New York Times]] |first=Carina |last=Chocano}}</ref> He has written the screenplays for films such as ''[[School of Rock]]'' (2003) and has directed several films that he has written, such as ''[[Brad's Status]]'' (2017). He was a co-creator, executive producer, writer, director and actor on the [[HBO]] series ''[[Enlightened (TV series)|Enlightened]]''.<ref name=FA01/> White is also known for his appearances on reality television, competing on two seasons of ''[[The Amazing Race (American TV series)|The Amazing Race]]'' and later becoming a contestant and runner-up on ''[[Survivor: David vs. Goliath]]''. He created, writes and directs the ongoing [[HBO]] satirical comedy anthology series ''[[The White Lotus]]'', for which he has won three [[Primetime Emmy Awards]].


==Early life==
==Early life==
White was born in [[Pasadena, California]].<ref name="Vulture 2013">{{cite news|first=David A.|last=Keeps|url=https://www.vulture.com/2013/01/showrunner-mike-white-on-enlightened.html|title=Mike White Would Like to Make You Squirm |magazine=[[Vulture.com|Vulture]]|date=January 20, 2013 |access-date=December 14, 2022}}</ref> He is the son of Lyla Lee (née Loehr), a fundraising executive, and former executive director of the [[Pasadena Playhouse]], and [[Mel White|James Melville "Mel" White]], a former speechwriter and [[ghostwriter]] for [[Christian right|Religious Right]] figures such as [[Jerry Falwell]] and [[Pat Robertson]].<ref name=FA01/> His father [[coming out|came out]] as [[gay]] in 1994 and became an activist.<ref name="MelWhite">Steve Inskeep. [https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5522064 "Religion, Politics a Potent Mix for Jerry Falwell"], NPR, June 30, 2006.</ref><ref name="Vulture 2013"/> Due to his father's religious background, White grew up in a modest household in a conservative Christian community.<ref name="Vulture 2017">{{cite news|first=Kyle|last=Buchanan|url=https://www.vulture.com/2017/09/everyone-in-hollywood-is-envious-mike-white-talks-about-it.html|title=Everyone in Hollywood Is Envious. Mike White Is Willing to Talk About It.|magazine=[[Vulture.com|Vulture]]|date=September 13, 2017 |access-date=December 14, 2022}}</ref> He attended [[Polytechnic School]] which he thought was a "very conservative country-club school".<ref name="Vulture 2017"/> Later he went to [[Wesleyan University]], where he met writing partner, [[Zak Penn]]. Penn convinced him to move back to [[Los Angeles]], and helped him to get work soon after graduating.<ref name="Vulture 2017"/>
White was born in [[Pasadena, California]].<ref name="Vulture 2013">{{cite news|first=David A.|last=Keeps|url=https://www.vulture.com/2013/01/showrunner-mike-white-on-enlightened.html|title=Mike White Would Like to Make You Squirm |magazine=[[Vulture.com|Vulture]]|date=January 20, 2013 |access-date=December 14, 2022}}</ref> He is the son of Lyla Lee (née Loehr), a fundraising executive, and former executive director of the [[Pasadena Playhouse]], and [[Mel White|James Melville "Mel" White]], a former speechwriter and [[ghostwriter]] for [[Christian right|Religious Right]] figures such as [[Jerry Falwell]] and [[Pat Robertson]].<ref name=FA01/> His father [[came out]] as gay in 1994 and became an activist.<ref name="MelWhite">Steve Inskeep. [https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5522064 "Religion, Politics a Potent Mix for Jerry Falwell"], NPR, June 30, 2006.</ref><ref name="Vulture 2013"/> Due to his father's religious background, White grew up in a modest household in a conservative Christian community.<ref name="Vulture 2017">{{cite news|first=Kyle|last=Buchanan|url=https://www.vulture.com/2017/09/everyone-in-hollywood-is-envious-mike-white-talks-about-it.html|title=Everyone in Hollywood Is Envious. Mike White Is Willing to Talk About It.|magazine=[[Vulture.com|Vulture]]|date=September 13, 2017 |access-date=December 14, 2022}}</ref> He attended [[Polytechnic School]] which he thought was a "very conservative country-club school".<ref name="Vulture 2017"/> Later he went to [[Wesleyan University]], where he met writing partner, [[Zak Penn]]. Penn convinced him to move back to Los Angeles, and helped him to get work soon after graduating.<ref name="Vulture 2017"/>


==Career==
==Career==
Although White and Penn's writing partnership ended a few years later due to their different sensibilities, they remained on good terms, and White credits him with getting him into Hollywood's social circles.<ref name="Vulture 2017"/> White was a writer and producer on ''[[Dawson's Creek]]'' and ''[[Freaks and Geeks]]'' and wrote and acted in the films ''[[Chuck & Buck]]'', ''[[The Good Girl]]'', ''[[Orange County (film)|Orange County]]'', ''[[School of Rock]]'' and ''[[Nacho Libre]]''.<ref name="Vulture 2011">{{cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2011/11/enlighteneds-mike-white-on-his-reluctant-return-to-tv.html|title=Enlightened's Mike White on His Reluctant Return to TV and His Own Nervous Breakdown|first=Dan|last=Hyman|work=[[Vulture.com|Vulture]] |date=November 15, 2011 |access-date=December 14, 2022}}</ref> He also had a role in the [[The Stepford Wives (2004 film)|2004 remake]] of ''[[The Stepford Wives (1975 film)|The Stepford Wives]]'', and the 2008 film ''[[Smother (film)|Smother]]''. ''Chuck & Buck'', in which White portrayed a manchild who [[stalking|stalks]] his childhood friend, was named the best film of 2000 by ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''. In an interview with ''[[The New York Times]]'', [[Jeff Bridges]] called White's turn in ''Chuck & Buck'' "the performance of the decade".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/video/2010/02/17/magazine/1247467035861/the-best-performances-of-the-decade.html |title=The Best Performances of the Decade |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=February 17, 2010 |access-date=February 19, 2013}}</ref>
Although White and Penn's writing partnership ended a few years later due to their different sensibilities, they remained on good terms, and White credits him with getting him into Hollywood's social circles.<ref name="Vulture 2017"/> White was a writer and producer on ''[[Dawson's Creek]]'' and ''[[Freaks and Geeks]]'' and wrote and acted in the films ''[[Chuck & Buck]]'', ''[[The Good Girl]]'', ''[[Orange County (film)|Orange County]]'', ''[[School of Rock]]'' and ''[[Nacho Libre]]''.<ref name="Vulture 2011">{{cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2011/11/enlighteneds-mike-white-on-his-reluctant-return-to-tv.html|title=Enlightened's Mike White on His Reluctant Return to TV and His Own Nervous Breakdown|first=Dan|last=Hyman|work=[[Vulture.com|Vulture]] |date=November 15, 2011 |access-date=December 14, 2022}}</ref> He also had a role in the [[The Stepford Wives (2004 film)|2004 remake]] of ''[[The Stepford Wives (1975 film)|The Stepford Wives]]'', and the 2008 film ''[[Smother (film)|Smother]]''. ''Chuck & Buck'', in which White portrayed a manchild who [[stalking|stalks]] his childhood friend, was named the best film of 2000 by ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''. In an interview with ''[[The New York Times]]'', [[Jeff Bridges]] called White's turn in ''Chuck & Buck'' "the performance of the decade".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/video/2010/02/17/magazine/1247467035861/the-best-performances-of-the-decade.html |title=The Best Performances of the Decade |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=February 17, 2010 |access-date=February 19, 2013}}</ref>


He frequently collaborates with actor–writer [[Jack Black]] on films. Together they formed the production company Black and White, which closed in 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.movieweb.com/news/jack-black-to-produce-in-college-football-big-paydays-for-humiliation |title=Jack Black to Produce in College Football, Big Paydays for Humiliation |website=Movieweb.com |date=October 6, 2006 |access-date=November 23, 2011}}</ref> White is not a fan of [[classic rock]], but he wrote ''[[School of Rock]]'' specifically so Black could perform his own favorite rock music.<ref>{{cite news|work=Fresh Air from WHYY |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9473074 |title=Mike White Goes to the 'Dog' |publisher=NPR |access-date=November 23, 2011}}</ref>
He frequently collaborates with actor–writer [[Jack Black]] on films. Together they formed the production company Black and White, which closed in 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.movieweb.com/news/jack-black-to-produce-in-college-football-big-paydays-for-humiliation |title=Jack Black to Produce in College Football, Big Paydays for Humiliation |website=Movieweb.com |date=October 6, 2006 |access-date=November 23, 2011 |archive-date=August 13, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070813000407/http://www.movieweb.com/news/07/15007.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> White is not a fan of [[classic rock]], but he wrote ''[[School of Rock]]'' specifically so Black could perform his own favorite rock music.<ref>{{cite news|work=Fresh Air from WHYY |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9473074 |title=Mike White Goes to the 'Dog' |publisher=NPR |access-date=November 23, 2011}}</ref>


White made his [[film director|directorial]] debut with the self-penned ''[[Year of the Dog (film)|Year of the Dog]]'' at the [[2007 Sundance Film Festival]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Manohla|last=Dargis|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/29/movies/29next.html|title=Any Little Gems? Who Cares? Sundance Is a Hot Brand Now|magazine=[[The New York Times]]|date=January 29, 2007|access-date=December 14, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=John|last=Anderson|url=https://variety.com/2007/film/markets-festivals/year-of-the-dog-1200511020/|title=Year of the Dog |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=January 21, 2007|access-date=December 14, 2022}}</ref><ref name="Vulture Transcript">{{cite news|first=Denise|last=Martin|url=https://www.vulture.com/2013/02/mike-white-on-enlightened-tough-road-to-season-three.html|title=Mike White on Enlightened's Tough Road to a Third Season and Why He Thinks Men Don't Want to Watch Shows About Women |magazine=[[Vulture.com|Vulture]]|date=February 27, 2013 |access-date=December 14, 2022}}</ref> He was a member of the US Dramatic Jury at the [[2009 Sundance Film Festival]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/26895851/2009-sundance-film-festival-announces-jury-members|title=2009 Sundance Film Festival Announce Jury Members|access-date=December 14, 2022}}</ref>
White made his [[directorial]] debut with the self-penned ''[[Year of the Dog (film)|Year of the Dog]]'' at the [[2007 Sundance Film Festival]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Manohla|last=Dargis|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/29/movies/29next.html|title=Any Little Gems? Who Cares? Sundance Is a Hot Brand Now|magazine=[[The New York Times]]|date=January 29, 2007|access-date=December 14, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=John|last=Anderson|url=https://variety.com/2007/film/markets-festivals/year-of-the-dog-1200511020/|title=Year of the Dog |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=January 21, 2007|access-date=December 14, 2022}}</ref><ref name="Vulture Transcript">{{cite news|first=Denise|last=Martin|url=https://www.vulture.com/2013/02/mike-white-on-enlightened-tough-road-to-season-three.html|title=Mike White on Enlightened's Tough Road to a Third Season and Why He Thinks Men Don't Want to Watch Shows About Women |magazine=[[Vulture.com|Vulture]]|date=February 27, 2013 |access-date=December 14, 2022}}</ref> He was a member of the US Dramatic Jury at the [[2009 Sundance Film Festival]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/26895851/2009-sundance-film-festival-announces-jury-members|title=2009 Sundance Film Festival Announce Jury Members|access-date=December 14, 2022}}</ref>


[[Laura Dern]] brought White into a project with HBO which became the series ''[[Enlightened (TV series)|Enlightened]]'' that premiered on October 10, 2011. Dern's character, Amy Jellicoe, goes to a Hawaiian retreat after her professional life publicly implodes, and is introduced to [[meditation]]. White himself had suffered an on-the-job meltdown while running an earlier television series, and incorporated elements of that experience, as well as his own exploration of [[Buddhist meditation]], into the new series' plot.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.tnr.com/article/books-and-arts/111959/can-mike-white-change-television-tk#|title=An 'Enlightened' Mike White Wants to Change TV|magazine=[[The New Republic]]|first=Laura|last=Bennett|date=January 17, 2013|accessdate=January 23, 2013}}</ref><ref name="Vulture 2011"/> White wrote the pilot and all the episodes in the first and second seasons.<ref name=FA01>[https://www.npr.org/2011/10/10/140950031/hbos-enlightened-take-on-modern-meditation "HBO's 'Enlightened' Take On Modern Meditation"], ''Fresh Air'' interview with Dern and White on NPR, October 10, 2011. Retrieved October 10, 2011.</ref>
[[Laura Dern]] brought White into a project with HBO which became the series ''[[Enlightened (TV series)|Enlightened]]'' that premiered on October 10, 2011. Dern's character, Amy Jellicoe, goes to a Hawaiian retreat after her professional life publicly implodes, and is introduced to [[meditation]]. White himself had suffered an on-the-job meltdown while running an earlier television series, and incorporated elements of that experience, as well as his own exploration of [[Buddhist meditation]], into the new series' plot.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.tnr.com/article/books-and-arts/111959/can-mike-white-change-television-tk#|title=An 'Enlightened' Mike White Wants to Change TV|magazine=[[The New Republic]]|first=Laura|last=Bennett|date=January 17, 2013|accessdate=January 23, 2013}}</ref><ref name="Vulture 2011"/> White wrote the pilot and all the episodes in the first and second seasons.<ref name=FA01>[https://www.npr.org/2011/10/10/140950031/hbos-enlightened-take-on-modern-meditation "HBO's 'Enlightened' Take On Modern Meditation"], ''Fresh Air'' interview with Dern and White on NPR, October 10, 2011. Retrieved October 10, 2011.</ref>


White is a credited writer on ''[[The Emoji Movie]]'', he spent three weeks with the film's screenwriters, and helped with the structure of the script. For this project he received a [[Golden Raspberry Award]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2017/09/everyone-in-hollywood-is-envious-mike-white-talks-about-it.html|title=Everyone in Hollywood Is Envious. Mike White Is Willing to Talk About It.|last=Buchanan|first=Kyle|website=[[Vulture.com|Vulture]]|date=September 13, 2017|access-date=December 13, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/razzie-awards-worst-movie-emoji-movie-1202716607/|title='The Emoji Movie' Wins Razzies' Worst Movie Award|last=McNary|first=Dave|date=March 3, 2018|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|language=en|access-date=December 13, 2018}}</ref> He wrote and directed the 2017 film ''[[Brad's Status]].''
White is a credited writer on ''[[The Emoji Movie]]''; he spent three weeks with the film's screenwriters and helped with the structure of the script. For this project he received a [[Golden Raspberry Award]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2017/09/everyone-in-hollywood-is-envious-mike-white-talks-about-it.html|title=Everyone in Hollywood Is Envious. Mike White Is Willing to Talk About It.|last=Buchanan|first=Kyle|website=[[Vulture.com|Vulture]]|date=September 13, 2017|access-date=December 13, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/razzie-awards-worst-movie-emoji-movie-1202716607/|title='The Emoji Movie' Wins Razzies' Worst Movie Award|last=McNary|first=Dave|date=March 3, 2018|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|language=en|access-date=December 13, 2018}}</ref> He wrote and directed the 2017 film ''[[Brad's Status]].''


In 2021, White created, wrote, and directed ''[[The White Lotus]]'', a satirical limited series for [[HBO]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2020/10/hbo-the-white-lotus-enlighteneds-mike-white-connie-britton-alexandra-daddario-natasha-rothwell-sydney-sweeney-1234599772/|title='Enlightened's Mike White Sets Limited Social Satire 'The White Lotus' At HBO With Connie Britton, Natasha Rothwell & Sydney Sweeney Among Cast|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|first=Peter|last=White|date=October 19, 2020|access-date=August 2, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://pressroom.warnermedia.com/us/media-release/hbo-0/new-hbo-limited-series-white-lotus-mike-white-debuts-july-11|title=New HBO Limited Series THE WHITE LOTUS From Mike White Debuts July 11|website=[[WarnerMedia]]|date=May 10, 2021|access-date=August 2, 2021}}</ref>
In 2021, White created, wrote and directed ''[[The White Lotus]]'', a satirical limited series for [[HBO]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2020/10/hbo-the-white-lotus-enlighteneds-mike-white-connie-britton-alexandra-daddario-natasha-rothwell-sydney-sweeney-1234599772/|title='Enlightened's Mike White Sets Limited Social Satire 'The White Lotus' At HBO With Connie Britton, Natasha Rothwell & Sydney Sweeney Among Cast|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|first=Peter|last=White|date=October 19, 2020|access-date=August 2, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://pressroom.warnermedia.com/us/media-release/hbo-0/new-hbo-limited-series-white-lotus-mike-white-debuts-july-11|title=New HBO Limited Series THE WHITE LOTUS From Mike White Debuts July 11|website=[[WarnerMedia]]|date=May 10, 2021|access-date=August 2, 2021}}</ref>


In February 2022, it was announced White would write two upcoming animated films for [[Universal Pictures]] and [[Illumination (company)|Illumination]]: the original comedy ''[[Migration (2023 film)|Migration]]'', set to be released on December 22, 2023, and the fourth installment in the ''[[Despicable Me]]'' franchise, set to be released on July 3, 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grobar |first=Matt |date=February 18, 2022 |title=Illumination & Universal Set Dates For Animated Films ''Migration'' & ''Despicable Me 4'' |url=https://deadline.com/2022/02/despicable-me-4-migration-get-release-dates-from-illumination-universal-1234956816/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218203450/https://deadline.com/2022/02/despicable-me-4-migration-get-release-dates-from-illumination-universal-1234956816/ |archive-date=February 18, 2022 |access-date=February 18, 2022 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref>
In February 2022, it was announced White would write two upcoming animated films for [[Universal Pictures]] and [[Illumination (company)|Illumination]]: the original comedy ''[[Migration (2023 film)|Migration]]'', released on December 22, 2023, and [[Despicable Me 4|the fourth installment]] in the ''[[Despicable Me]]'' franchise, set to be released on July 3, 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grobar |first=Matt |date=February 18, 2022 |title=Illumination & Universal Set Dates For Animated Films ''Migration'' & ''Despicable Me 4'' |url=https://deadline.com/2022/02/despicable-me-4-migration-get-release-dates-from-illumination-universal-1234956816/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218203450/https://deadline.com/2022/02/despicable-me-4-migration-get-release-dates-from-illumination-universal-1234956816/ |archive-date=February 18, 2022 |access-date=February 18, 2022 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref>


===''The Amazing Race''===
===''The Amazing Race''===
He appeared on the [[The Amazing Race 14|fourteenth season]] of ''[[The Amazing Race (American TV series)|The Amazing Race]]'' along with his father [[Mel White|Mel]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbs.com/shows/amazing_race/season/14/cast/|title=Mel and Mike: Amazing Race|publisher=[[CBS]]|access-date=January 26, 2009}}</ref> They lasted for seven legs before being eliminated in sixth place in [[Phuket Province|Phuket]], Thailand. Mel and Mike returned to compete in ''[[The Amazing Race: Unfinished Business]]'', where they were the second team eliminated in [[Japan]] after they both developed hypothermia.<ref>{{cite web |last=Olmstead |first=Kasey |url=http://www.yakkityyaks.com/the-amazing-race-18-all-stars-spoilers/4571/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206083157/http://www.yakkityyaks.com/the-amazing-race-18-all-stars-spoilers/4571/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 6, 2010 |title=The Amazing Race 18: All Stars! (Spoilers) |date=November 22, 2010 |access-date=November 23, 2011 }}</ref>
He appeared on the [[The Amazing Race 14|fourteenth season]] of ''[[The Amazing Race (American TV series)|The Amazing Race]]'' along with his father [[Mel White|Mel]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbs.com/shows/amazing_race/season/14/cast/|title=Mel and Mike: Amazing Race|publisher=[[CBS]]|access-date=January 26, 2009}}</ref> They lasted for seven legs before being eliminated in sixth place in [[Phuket]], Thailand. Mel and Mike returned to compete in ''[[The Amazing Race: Unfinished Business]]'', where they were the second team eliminated in Japan after they both developed hypothermia.<ref>{{cite web |last=Olmstead |first=Kasey |url=http://www.yakkityyaks.com/the-amazing-race-18-all-stars-spoilers/4571/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206083157/http://www.yakkityyaks.com/the-amazing-race-18-all-stars-spoilers/4571/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 6, 2010 |title=The Amazing Race 18: All Stars! (Spoilers) |date=November 22, 2010 |access-date=November 23, 2011 }}</ref>


===''Survivor''===
===''Survivor''===
White was a contestant on ''[[Survivor: David vs. Goliath]]'', as a member of the Goliath tribe, then to reshuffled Jabeni tribe and the merged Kalokalo tribe.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/survivor-david-goliath-mike-white-john-hennigan-cast-season-37-1114211|title='Survivor': Filmmaker Mike White, Wrestler John Hennigan to Compete on Season 37|magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|first=Dalton|last=Ross|date=September 13, 2018}}</ref> He made it to Day 39 and received three jury votes, finishing in second place behind the winner [[Nick Wilson (Survivor contestant)|Nick Wilson]].
White was a contestant on ''[[Survivor: David vs. Goliath]]'', as a member of the Goliath tribe, then to reshuffled Jabeni tribe and the merged Kalokalo tribe.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/survivor-david-goliath-mike-white-john-hennigan-cast-season-37-1114211|title='Survivor': Filmmaker Mike White, Wrestler John Hennigan to Compete on Season 37|magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|first=Dalton|last=Ross|date=September 13, 2018}}</ref> He made it to Day 39 and received three jury votes, finishing in second place behind the winner, [[Nick Wilson (Survivor contestant)|Nick Wilson]].


White said he had been a big fan of the show, and because of his connections had developed a friendship with the show's host [[Jeff Probst]], providing the host suggestions towards improving the show. For instance, Probst stated that it was White who discouraged him from bringing back Redemption Island for ''[[Survivor: San Juan del Sur]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|first=Dalton|last=Ross|date=September 13, 2018|url=https://ew.com/tv/2018/09/13/survivor-mike-white-jeff-probst-redemption-island/|title=Mike White takes credit for killing Redemption Island on 'Survivor'|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|language=EN|access-date=March 21, 2020}}</ref> At some point White decided to start trying out to be a participant of the show, but he failed to be picked over what he believed was a concern of having "sloppy seconds" from other reality television programs. White noted that once he was selected, he had had no other conversations with Probst until the game was concluded.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.indiewire.com/2018/09/mike-white-survivor-contestant-amazing-race-school-of-rock-1202007423/ | title = Mike White Found Enlightenment by Competing on 'Survivor' — Where Even His Agent Couldn't Find Him | first = Michael | last = Schneider | date = September 26, 2018 | access-date = October 23, 2018 | work = [[Indiewire]] }}</ref>
White said he had been a big fan of the show, and because of his connections had developed a friendship with the show's host [[Jeff Probst]], providing the host suggestions towards improving the show. For instance, Probst stated that it was White who discouraged him from bringing back Redemption Island for ''[[Survivor: San Juan del Sur]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|first=Dalton|last=Ross|date=September 13, 2018|url=https://ew.com/tv/2018/09/13/survivor-mike-white-jeff-probst-redemption-island/|title=Mike White takes credit for killing Redemption Island on 'Survivor'|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|language=EN|access-date=March 21, 2020}}</ref> At some point White decided to start trying out to be a participant of the show, but he failed to be picked over what he believed was a concern of having "sloppy seconds" from other reality television programs. White noted that once he was selected, he had had no other conversations with Probst until the game was concluded.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.indiewire.com/2018/09/mike-white-survivor-contestant-amazing-race-school-of-rock-1202007423/ | title = Mike White Found Enlightenment by Competing on 'Survivor' — Where Even His Agent Couldn't Find Him | first = Michael | last = Schneider | date = September 26, 2018 | access-date = October 23, 2018 | work = [[Indiewire]] }}</ref>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
White is [[veganism|vegan]] and lives in [[Santa Monica]] with his partner, Josh. He also owns a house in [[Kauai]].<ref name="Vulture 2013"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/article/the-white-lotus-finale-mike-white-interview-departures-ending.html|title=Mike White Accepts the Criticism |last=VanArendonk|first=Kathryn|website=[[Vulture.com|Vulture]]|date=August 15, 2021|access-date=December 14, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/oct/29/im-a-bloated-overpraised-hollywood-guy-the-white-lotus-creator-mike-white-on-sex-god-and-disliking-success|title='I'm a bloated, overpraised Hollywood guy': The White Lotus creator Mike White on sex, God and disliking success|last=Brooks|first=Xan|website=[[The Guardian]]|date=October 29, 2022|access-date=December 14, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-new-yorker-interview/mike-white-on-money-status-and-appearing-on-survivor|title=Mike White on Money, Status, and Appearing on "Survivor"|last=Battan|first=Carrie|magazine=[[The New Yorker]]|date=July 18, 2021|access-date=December 14, 2022}}</ref> He is openly [[bisexual]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Lawrence|last=Ferer|url=http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1589/is_2002_Feb_5/ai_82322838 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041108212818/http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1589/is_2002_Feb_5/ai_82322838 |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 8, 2004 |title=White out: writer-producer Mike White comes out and discusses the gay subtext in his new comedy, Orange County |magazine=[[The Advocate (LGBT magazine)|The Advocate]]|date=March 2, 2012 |access-date=November 23, 2011}}</ref><ref name="Vulture 2013"/><ref>{{cite news|first=Shanfeld|last=Ethan|url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/the-white-lotus-gay-sex-mike-white-tom-hollander-leo-woodall-nude-1235439490/ |title=Mike White and 'The White Lotus' Stars Break Down That Jaw-Dropping Twist: I Want to 'Make Gay Sex Transgressive Again' |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=November 27, 2022|access-date=December 14, 2022}}</ref>
White is a [[vegan]] and lives in [[Santa Monica]] with his partner, Josh. He also owns a house in [[Kauai]].<ref name="Vulture 2013"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/article/the-white-lotus-finale-mike-white-interview-departures-ending.html|title=Mike White Accepts the Criticism |last=VanArendonk|first=Kathryn|website=[[Vulture.com|Vulture]]|date=August 15, 2021|access-date=December 14, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/oct/29/im-a-bloated-overpraised-hollywood-guy-the-white-lotus-creator-mike-white-on-sex-god-and-disliking-success|title='I'm a bloated, overpraised Hollywood guy': The White Lotus creator Mike White on sex, God and disliking success|last=Brooks|first=Xan|website=[[The Guardian]]|date=October 29, 2022|access-date=December 14, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-new-yorker-interview/mike-white-on-money-status-and-appearing-on-survivor|title=Mike White on Money, Status, and Appearing on "Survivor"|last=Battan|first=Carrie|magazine=[[The New Yorker]]|date=July 18, 2021|access-date=December 14, 2022}}</ref> He is openly [[bisexual]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Lawrence|last=Ferer|url=http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1589/is_2002_Feb_5/ai_82322838 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041108212818/http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1589/is_2002_Feb_5/ai_82322838 |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 8, 2004 |title=White out: writer-producer Mike White comes out and discusses the gay subtext in his new comedy, Orange County |magazine=[[The Advocate (LGBT magazine)|The Advocate]]|date=March 2, 2012 |access-date=November 23, 2011}}</ref><ref name="Vulture 2013"/><ref>{{cite news|first=Shanfeld|last=Ethan|url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/the-white-lotus-gay-sex-mike-white-tom-hollander-leo-woodall-nude-1235439490/ |title=Mike White and 'The White Lotus' Stars Break Down That Jaw-Dropping Twist: I Want to 'Make Gay Sex Transgressive Again' |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=November 27, 2022|access-date=December 14, 2022}}</ref>


==Filmography==
==Filmography==
Line 54: Line 55:
!Title
!Title
!Year
!Year
![[Film director|Director]]
!Director
![[Screenwriter|Writer]]
!Screenwriter
![[Film producer|Producer]]
!Producer
!Notes
!Notes
|-
|-
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|-
|-
! scope="row" |''[[Orange County (film)|Orange County]]''
! scope="row" |''[[Orange County (film)|Orange County]]''
|2002
| rowspan="2" |2002
|{{no}}
|{{no}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
Line 81: Line 82:
|-
|-
! scope="row" |''[[The Good Girl]]''
! scope="row" |''[[The Good Girl]]''
|2002
|{{no}}
|{{no}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
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|-
|-
! scope="row" |''[[Year of the Dog (film)|Year of the Dog]]''
! scope="row" |''[[Year of the Dog (film)|Year of the Dog]]''
|2007
| rowspan="2" |2007
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|[[List of directorial debuts|Directorial debut]]
|[[Directorial debut]]
|-
|-
! scope="row" |''The Hills with [[James Franco]] and [[Mila Kunis]]''
! scope="row" |''The Hills with [[James Franco]] and [[Mila Kunis]]''
|2007
|{{no}}
|{{no}}
|{{no}}
|{{no}}
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|-
|-
! scope="row" |''[[Beatriz at Dinner]]''
! scope="row" |''[[Beatriz at Dinner]]''
|2017
| rowspan="4" |2017
|{{no}}
|{{no}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
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|-
|-
! scope="row" |''[[The Emoji Movie]]''
! scope="row" |''[[The Emoji Movie]]''
|2017
|{{no}}
|{{no}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
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|-
|-
! scope="row" |''[[Brad's Status]]''
! scope="row" |''[[Brad's Status]]''
|2017
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
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|-
|-
! scope="row" |''[[Pitch Perfect 3]]''
! scope="row" |''[[Pitch Perfect 3]]''
|2017
|{{no}}
|{{no}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
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|-
|-
! scope="row" |''[[Orange County (film)|Orange County]]''
! scope="row" |''[[Orange County (film)|Orange County]]''
|2002
| rowspan="2" |2002
|Mr. Burke
|Mr. Burke
|
|
|-
|-
! scope="row" |''[[The Good Girl]]''
! scope="row" |''[[The Good Girl]]''
|2002
|Corny
|Corny
|
|
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|-
|-
! scope="row" |''Are You the Favorite Person of Anybody?''
! scope="row" |''Are You the Favorite Person of Anybody?''
|2005
| rowspan="2" |2005
|Respondent
|Respondent
|Short film
|Short film
|-
|-
! scope="row" |''Welcome to California''
! scope="row" |''Welcome to California''
|2005
|John Goodman
|John Goodman
|
|
Line 239: Line 233:
|-
|-
! scope="row" |''[[Gentlemen Broncos]]''
! scope="row" |''[[Gentlemen Broncos]]''
|2009
| rowspan="2" |2009
|Dusty
|Dusty
|
|
|-
|-
! scope="row" |''[[Zombieland]]''
! scope="row" |''[[Zombieland]]''
|2009
|Gas Station Clerk
|Gas Station Clerk
|
|
Line 266: Line 259:
|2020
|2020
|Frankie (voice) / Passing Driver
|Frankie (voice) / Passing Driver
|
|Also writer
|}
|}


Line 274: Line 267:
!Title
!Title
!Year(s)
!Year(s)
![[Television director|Director]]
!Director
!Writer
!Writer
![[Television producer|Producer]]
!Producer
![[Showrunner|Creator]]
!Creator
!Notes
!Notes
|-
|-
Line 284: Line 277:
|{{no}}
|{{no}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes|Supervising}}
|{{partial|Supervising}}
|{{no}}
|{{no}}
|Wrote 9 episodes / Produced 22 episodes
|Wrote 9 episodes / Produced 22 episodes
Line 292: Line 285:
|{{no}}
|{{no}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes|Supervising}}
|{{partial|Supervising}}
|{{no}}
|{{no}}
|Wrote 3 episodes / Produced 17 episodes
|Wrote 3 episodes / Produced 17 episodes
Line 318: Line 311:
|{{no}}
|{{no}}
|{{no}}
|{{no}}
|Television special
|Television special
|-
|-
! scope="row" |''[[Enlightened (TV series)|Enlightened]]''
! scope="row" |''[[Enlightened (TV series)|Enlightened]]''
Line 328: Line 321:
|Created, wrote and produced 18 episodes / Directed 6 episodes
|Created, wrote and produced 18 episodes / Directed 6 episodes
|-
|-
! scope="row" |''[[List of programs broadcast by HBO|The Boring Life of Jacqueline]]''
! scope="row" |''[[The Boring Life of Jacqueline]]''
|2012
|2012
|{{no}}
|{{no}}
Line 337: Line 330:
|-
|-
! scope="row" |''Mamma Dallas''
! scope="row" |''Mamma Dallas''
|2016
| rowspan="2" |2016
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
Line 345: Line 338:
|-
|-
! scope="row" |''[[School of Rock (TV series)|School of Rock]]''
! scope="row" |''[[School of Rock (TV series)|School of Rock]]''
|2016
|{{no}}
|{{no}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
Line 358: Line 350:
|{{yes|Executive}}
|{{yes|Executive}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
| Anthology series
| Anthology series, wrote and directed every episode
|}
|}


Line 425: Line 417:
* Nominated – [[Golden Satellite Award]] for Best Screenplay, Original: ''The Good Girl''
* Nominated – [[Golden Satellite Award]] for Best Screenplay, Original: ''The Good Girl''
* [[Seattle International Film Festival]] (New American Cinema Award) for Best Writer: ''Chuck & Buck''
* [[Seattle International Film Festival]] (New American Cinema Award) for Best Writer: ''Chuck & Buck''
* [[Golden Raspberry Awards|Golden Raspberry Award]] (Razzie Award for Worst Screenplay): ''The Emoji Movie''
* [[Golden Raspberry Award]] (Razzie Award for Worst Screenplay): ''The Emoji Movie''
* [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Dramatic Special]]: ''The White Lotus''
* [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Dramatic Special]]: ''The White Lotus''
* [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Dramatic Special]]: ''The White Lotus''
* [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Dramatic Special]]: ''The White Lotus''
* [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Limited Series]]: ''The White Lotus''
* [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Limited Series]]: ''The White Lotus''
* Nominated – [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series]]: ''The White Lotus''
* Nominated – [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series]]: ''The White Lotus''
* Nominated – [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series]]: ''The White Lotus''


==References==
==References==
Line 435: Line 430:
==External links==
==External links==
{{Wikiquote|Mike White (filmmaker)|Mike White}}
{{Wikiquote|Mike White (filmmaker)|Mike White}}
* {{cite web |url=http://www.polytechnic.org/thepawprint/indexXV10.html|date= May 28, 2003| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20031222212737/http://www.polytechnic.org/thepawprint/indexXV10.html | title= Renowned Alumnus White To Address Graduates of the Class of 2003| first= Lisa| last= Hirschmann |archive-date= December 22, 2003 | work= The Paw Print | publisher=[[Polytechnic School]] | location= [[Pasadena, California|Pasadena]]|access-date=February 27, 2013}}
* {{cite web |url=http://www.polytechnic.org/thepawprint/indexXV10.html|date= May 28, 2003| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20031222212737/http://www.polytechnic.org/thepawprint/indexXV10.html | title= Renowned Alumnus White To Address Graduates of the Class of 2003| first= Lisa| last= Hirschmann |archive-date= December 22, 2003 | work= The Paw Print | publisher=[[Polytechnic School]] | location= Pasadena|access-date=February 27, 2013}}
* {{IMDb name|0925234|Mike White}}
* {{IMDb name|0925234|Mike White}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20121104154537/http://www.villagevoice.com/2000-07-11/news/freak-association/ July 2000 article about White] from ''[[The Village Voice]]''
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20121104154537/http://www.villagevoice.com/2000-07-11/news/freak-association/ July 2000 article about White] from ''[[The Village Voice]]''
Line 458: Line 453:
{{DEFAULTSORT:White, Mike}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:White, Mike}}
[[Category:1970 births]]
[[Category:1970 births]]
⚫
[[Category:20th-century American LGBTQ people]]
[[Category:20th-century American male actors]]
[[Category:20th-century American male actors]]
⚫
[[Category:21st-century American LGBTQ people]]
[[Category:21st-century American male actors]]
[[Category:21st-century American male actors]]
[[Category:American bisexual actors]]
[[Category:American bisexual male actors]]
⚫
[[Category:American bisexual writers]]
[[Category:American film producers]]
[[Category:American film producers]]
⚫
[[Category:American LGBTQ film directors]]
[[Category:American LGBTQ screenwriters]]
[[Category:American male film actors]]
[[Category:American male film actors]]
[[Category:American male screenwriters]]
[[Category:American male screenwriters]]
⚫
[[Category:American male television actors]]
[[Category:American male television writers]]
[[Category:American male television writers]]
[[Category:American television writers]]
[[Category:American male video game actors]]
[[Category:American male voice actors]]
[[Category:American soap opera writers]]
[[Category:American soap opera writers]]
[[Category:Bisexual male actors]]
[[Category:American television writers]]
[[Category:Bisexual male writers]]
[[Category:Bisexual screenwriters]]
[[Category:Illumination (company) people]]
[[Category:Illumination (company) people]]
[[Category:Independent Spirit Award winners]]
[[Category:Independent Spirit Award winners]]
[[Category:American LGBT film directors]]
[[Category:LGBTQ people from California]]
[[Category:LGBT people from California]]
[[Category:LGBTQ television directors]]
⚫
[[Category:American LGBT screenwriters]]
⚫
[[Category:LGBT television directors]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Male actors from Pasadena, California]]
[[Category:Male actors from Pasadena, California]]
[[Category:Participants in American reality television series]]
[[Category:Primetime Emmy Award winners]]
[[Category:Primetime Emmy Award winners]]
[[Category:Screenwriters from California]]
[[Category:Screenwriters from California]]
[[Category:Sony Pictures Animation people]]
[[Category:Sony Pictures Animation people]]
⚫
[[Category:Survivor (American TV series) contestants]]
[[Category:Television producers from California]]
[[Category:Television producers from California]]
[[Category:Wesleyan University alumni]]
[[Category:Wesleyan University alumni]]
[[Category:Writers from Pasadena, California]]
[[Category:Writers from Pasadena, California]]
⚫
[[Category:American bisexual writers]]
[[Category:Writers Guild of America Award winners]]
[[Category:Writers Guild of America Award winners]]
⚫
[[Category:Participants in American reality television series]]

Latest revision as of 03:23, 19 December 2024

For other people named Mike or Michael White, see Michael White.

Mike White
White in November 2011
Born
Michael Christopher White

(1970-06-28) June 28, 1970 (age 54)
Pasadena, California, U.S.
Alma materWesleyan University
Occupations
  • Writer
  • actor
  • producer
  • director
  • reality TV star
Years active1997–present
FatherMel White

Michael Christopher White (born June 28, 1970) is an American filmmaker and actor. He has won numerous awards, including the Independent Spirit John Cassavetes Award for the 2000 film Chuck & Buck, which he wrote and starred in.[1] He has written the screenplays for films such as School of Rock (2003) and has directed several films that he has written, such as Brad's Status (2017). He was a co-creator, executive producer, writer, director and actor on the HBO series Enlightened.[2] White is also known for his appearances on reality television, competing on two seasons of The Amazing Race and later becoming a contestant and runner-up on Survivor: David vs. Goliath. He created, writes and directs the ongoing HBO satirical comedy anthology series The White Lotus, for which he has won three Primetime Emmy Awards.

Early life

[edit]

White was born in Pasadena, California.[3] He is the son of Lyla Lee (née Loehr), a fundraising executive, and former executive director of the Pasadena Playhouse, and James Melville "Mel" White, a former speechwriter and ghostwriter for Religious Right figures such as Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson.[2] His father came out as gay in 1994 and became an activist.[4][3] Due to his father's religious background, White grew up in a modest household in a conservative Christian community.[5] He attended Polytechnic School which he thought was a "very conservative country-club school".[5] Later he went to Wesleyan University, where he met writing partner, Zak Penn. Penn convinced him to move back to Los Angeles, and helped him to get work soon after graduating.[5]

Career

[edit]

Although White and Penn's writing partnership ended a few years later due to their different sensibilities, they remained on good terms, and White credits him with getting him into Hollywood's social circles.[5] White was a writer and producer on Dawson's Creek and Freaks and Geeks and wrote and acted in the films Chuck & Buck, The Good Girl, Orange County, School of Rock and Nacho Libre.[6] He also had a role in the 2004 remake of The Stepford Wives, and the 2008 film Smother. Chuck & Buck, in which White portrayed a manchild who stalks his childhood friend, was named the best film of 2000 by Entertainment Weekly. In an interview with The New York Times, Jeff Bridges called White's turn in Chuck & Buck "the performance of the decade".[7]

He frequently collaborates with actor–writer Jack Black on films. Together they formed the production company Black and White, which closed in 2006.[8] White is not a fan of classic rock, but he wrote School of Rock specifically so Black could perform his own favorite rock music.[9]

White made his directorial debut with the self-penned Year of the Dog at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival.[10][11][12] He was a member of the US Dramatic Jury at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival.[13]

Laura Dern brought White into a project with HBO which became the series Enlightened that premiered on October 10, 2011. Dern's character, Amy Jellicoe, goes to a Hawaiian retreat after her professional life publicly implodes, and is introduced to meditation. White himself had suffered an on-the-job meltdown while running an earlier television series, and incorporated elements of that experience, as well as his own exploration of Buddhist meditation, into the new series' plot.[14][6] White wrote the pilot and all the episodes in the first and second seasons.[2]

White is a credited writer on The Emoji Movie; he spent three weeks with the film's screenwriters and helped with the structure of the script. For this project he received a Golden Raspberry Award.[15][16] He wrote and directed the 2017 film Brad's Status.

In 2021, White created, wrote and directed The White Lotus, a satirical limited series for HBO.[17][18]

In February 2022, it was announced White would write two upcoming animated films for Universal Pictures and Illumination: the original comedy Migration, released on December 22, 2023, and the fourth installment in the Despicable Me franchise, set to be released on July 3, 2024.[19]

The Amazing Race

[edit]

He appeared on the fourteenth season of The Amazing Race along with his father Mel.[20] They lasted for seven legs before being eliminated in sixth place in Phuket, Thailand. Mel and Mike returned to compete in The Amazing Race: Unfinished Business, where they were the second team eliminated in Japan after they both developed hypothermia.[21]

Survivor

[edit]

White was a contestant on Survivor: David vs. Goliath, as a member of the Goliath tribe, then to reshuffled Jabeni tribe and the merged Kalokalo tribe.[22] He made it to Day 39 and received three jury votes, finishing in second place behind the winner, Nick Wilson.

White said he had been a big fan of the show, and because of his connections had developed a friendship with the show's host Jeff Probst, providing the host suggestions towards improving the show. For instance, Probst stated that it was White who discouraged him from bringing back Redemption Island for Survivor: San Juan del Sur.[23] At some point White decided to start trying out to be a participant of the show, but he failed to be picked over what he believed was a concern of having "sloppy seconds" from other reality television programs. White noted that once he was selected, he had had no other conversations with Probst until the game was concluded.[24]

Personal life

[edit]

White is a vegan and lives in Santa Monica with his partner, Josh. He also owns a house in Kauai.[3][25][26][27] He is openly bisexual.[28][3][29]

Filmography

[edit]

Films

[edit]
Title Year Director Screenwriter Producer Notes
Dead Man on Campus 1998 No Yes No
Chuck & Buck 2000 No Yes No
Orange County 2002 No Yes No
The Good Girl No Yes No
School of Rock 2003 No Yes No
Nacho Libre 2006 No Yes Yes
Year of the Dog 2007 Yes Yes Yes Directorial debut
The Hills with James Franco and Mila Kunis No No Yes Short film
Gentlemen Broncos 2009 No No Yes
Magic Magic 2013 No No Yes
The D Train 2015 No No Yes
Beatriz at Dinner 2017 No Yes No
The Emoji Movie No Yes No
Brad's Status Yes Yes No
Pitch Perfect 3 No Yes No
The One and Only Ivan 2020 No Yes No
Migration 2023 No Yes No
Despicable Me 4 2024 No Yes No

Acting credits

[edit]
Title Year Role Notes
Star Maps 1997 Carmel County Writer
Chuck & Buck 2000 Buck O'Brien
Orange County 2002 Mr. Burke
The Good Girl Corny
School of Rock 2003 Ned Schneebly
The Stepford Wives 2004 Hank
Are You the Favorite Person of Anybody? 2005 Respondent Short film
Welcome to California John Goodman
Smother 2008 Myron Stubbs
Gentlemen Broncos 2009 Dusty
Zombieland Gas Station Clerk
Ride 2014 Roger
The D Train 2015 Jerry
Brad's Status 2017 Nick Pascale
The One and Only Ivan 2020 Frankie (voice) / Passing Driver

Television

[edit]
Title Year(s) Director Writer Producer Creator Notes
Dawson's Creek 1998–1999 No Yes Supervising No Wrote 9 episodes / Produced 22 episodes
Freaks and Geeks 2000 No Yes Supervising No Wrote 3 episodes / Produced 17 episodes
Pasadena 2001–2002 No Yes Executive Yes Created and produced 13 episodes / Wrote 6 episodes.
Cracking Up 2004–2006 No Yes Executive Yes Created and produced 12 episodes / Wrote episode: "The Fixer"
Earth to America 2005 No Yes No No Television special
Enlightened 2011–2013 Yes Yes Executive Yes Created, wrote and produced 18 episodes / Directed 6 episodes
The Boring Life of Jacqueline 2012 No No Executive No 10 episodes
Mamma Dallas 2016 Yes Yes Executive No Television pilot
School of Rock No Yes No No Episode: "Come Together" / Also wrote original theatrical film
The White Lotus 2021–present Yes Yes Executive Yes Anthology series, wrote and directed every episode

Acting credits

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Title Year(s) Role Notes
Freaks and Geeks 2000 Chip Kelly Episode: "Kim Kelly Is My Friend"
Undeclared 2001 Pet Store Employee Episode: "Eric Visits"
Pushing Daisies 2007 Billy Balsam Episode: "Bitter Sweets"
Enlightened 2011–2013 Tyler 15 episodes
Mamma Dallas 2016 Himself Television pilot

Non-acting credits

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Title Year Notes
Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan 2007 Dog Owner
The Amazing Race 14 2009 6th Place (with father, Mel White)
The Amazing Race: Unfinished Business 2011 10th Place (with father, Mel White)
Survivor: David vs. Goliath 2018 Runner-up

Awards and nominations

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References

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  1. ^ Chocano, Carina (October 7, 2011). "Stuff Mike White Likes". The New York Times. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  2. ^ a b c "HBO's 'Enlightened' Take On Modern Meditation", Fresh Air interview with Dern and White on NPR, October 10, 2011. Retrieved October 10, 2011.
  3. ^ a b c d Keeps, David A. (January 20, 2013). "Mike White Would Like to Make You Squirm". Vulture. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  4. ^ Steve Inskeep. "Religion, Politics a Potent Mix for Jerry Falwell", NPR, June 30, 2006.
  5. ^ a b c d Buchanan, Kyle (September 13, 2017). "Everyone in Hollywood Is Envious. Mike White Is Willing to Talk About It". Vulture. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  6. ^ a b Hyman, Dan (November 15, 2011). "Enlightened's Mike White on His Reluctant Return to TV and His Own Nervous Breakdown". Vulture. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  7. ^ "The Best Performances of the Decade". The New York Times. February 17, 2010. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
  8. ^ "Jack Black to Produce in College Football, Big Paydays for Humiliation". Movieweb.com. October 6, 2006. Archived from the original on August 13, 2007. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  9. ^ "Mike White Goes to the 'Dog'". Fresh Air from WHYY. NPR. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  10. ^ Dargis, Manohla (January 29, 2007). "Any Little Gems? Who Cares? Sundance Is a Hot Brand Now". The New York Times. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  11. ^ Anderson, John (January 21, 2007). "Year of the Dog". Variety. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  12. ^ Martin, Denise (February 27, 2013). "Mike White on Enlightened's Tough Road to a Third Season and Why He Thinks Men Don't Want to Watch Shows About Women". Vulture. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  13. ^ "2009 Sundance Film Festival Announce Jury Members". Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  14. ^ Bennett, Laura (January 17, 2013). "An 'Enlightened' Mike White Wants to Change TV". The New Republic. Retrieved January 23, 2013.
  15. ^ Buchanan, Kyle (September 13, 2017). "Everyone in Hollywood Is Envious. Mike White Is Willing to Talk About It". Vulture. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  16. ^ McNary, Dave (March 3, 2018). "'The Emoji Movie' Wins Razzies' Worst Movie Award". Variety. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  17. ^ White, Peter (October 19, 2020). "'Enlightened's Mike White Sets Limited Social Satire 'The White Lotus' At HBO With Connie Britton, Natasha Rothwell & Sydney Sweeney Among Cast". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
  18. ^ "New HBO Limited Series THE WHITE LOTUS From Mike White Debuts July 11". WarnerMedia. May 10, 2021. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
  19. ^ Grobar, Matt (February 18, 2022). "Illumination & Universal Set Dates For Animated Films Migration & Despicable Me 4". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 18, 2022. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  20. ^ "Mel and Mike: Amazing Race". CBS. Retrieved January 26, 2009.
  21. ^ Olmstead, Kasey (November 22, 2010). "The Amazing Race 18: All Stars! (Spoilers)". Archived from the original on December 6, 2010. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  22. ^ Ross, Dalton (September 13, 2018). "'Survivor': Filmmaker Mike White, Wrestler John Hennigan to Compete on Season 37". The Hollywood Reporter.
  23. ^ Ross, Dalton (September 13, 2018). "Mike White takes credit for killing Redemption Island on 'Survivor'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
  24. ^ Schneider, Michael (September 26, 2018). "Mike White Found Enlightenment by Competing on 'Survivor' — Where Even His Agent Couldn't Find Him". Indiewire. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
  25. ^ VanArendonk, Kathryn (August 15, 2021). "Mike White Accepts the Criticism". Vulture. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  26. ^ Brooks, Xan (October 29, 2022). "'I'm a bloated, overpraised Hollywood guy': The White Lotus creator Mike White on sex, God and disliking success". The Guardian. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  27. ^ Battan, Carrie (July 18, 2021). "Mike White on Money, Status, and Appearing on "Survivor"". The New Yorker. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  28. ^ Ferer, Lawrence (March 2, 2012). "White out: writer-producer Mike White comes out and discusses the gay subtext in his new comedy, Orange County". The Advocate. Archived from the original on November 8, 2004. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  29. ^ Ethan, Shanfeld (November 27, 2022). "Mike White and 'The White Lotus' Stars Break Down That Jaw-Dropping Twist: I Want to 'Make Gay Sex Transgressive Again'". Variety. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
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Wikiquote has quotations related to Mike White.
Preceded by
Domenick Abbate
 Runner-Up of Survivor
Survivor: David vs. Goliath 		Succeeded by
Gavin Whitson
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