If you’ve spent any time watching Power Book II: Ghost, you know Cane Tejada. He’s impulsive. He’s dangerous. He’s got that "don't mess with me" energy that feels incredibly authentic. Because he plays such a gritty, youthful character, fans are constantly hitting up Google to find out how old is Woody McClain in real life.
There’s often a big gap between Hollywood "TV age" and reality. In the case of Woody McClain, that gap is actually pretty interesting. He’s not some teenager just getting his start. He’s a seasoned performer who took a very long, very winding road to get to the Starz network.
The Short Answer: Woody McClain’s Age Today
Let's get the numbers out of the way first. Woody McClain was born on May 14, 1989. As of January 2026, that makes him 36 years old.
He’ll be hitting 37 this coming May. He was born in Charleston, South Carolina, but he usually claims Jacksonville, Florida, as his home since that’s where he grew up. Honestly, he doesn't look it. Most people guess he’s in his late 20s because he has that youthful, athletic build from his days as a professional dancer.
Why People Get Confused About His Age
Why is there so much debate? It’s basically because of the roles he chooses. In The New Edition Story and The Bobby Brown Story, he had to play Bobby Brown across several decades. He played him as a teenager and as a grown man. When an actor can pull off a 17-year-old and a 40-year-old in the same project, the audience loses track of how old the guy actually is.
Then you have Power Book II: Ghost. His character, Cane, is roughly in his early 20s. Woody is playing a character nearly 15 years younger than himself. That’s a testament to his skin routine—or maybe just great lighting and genetics.
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The Journey Before the Fame
Woody didn't just wake up one day and become a lead actor on a hit show. He’s been grinding for a long time.
- He moved to Los Angeles back in 2012. He was 23 at the time.
- He started as a backup dancer. He toured with big names like Chris Brown and Fifth Harmony.
- He became a Vine star. Remember Vine? He was huge on there, doing comedy skits that went viral constantly.
If you do the math, he spent almost a decade in the industry before the "big" breakout happened. That’s why his age surprises people. He feels like a "new" actor, but he’s actually a veteran of the entertainment scene who just switched lanes mid-career.
The FAMU Days and the Marching Band
Before LA, Woody was a college kid. He attended Florida A&M University (FAMU). If you know anything about HBCU culture, you know the marching band is a huge deal. Woody played the tuba.
He’s talked in interviews, specifically with Cam Newton on the Funky Friday podcast, about how seeing the movie Drumline changed his life. It inspired him to take music seriously and get out of the "streets" mentality he was falling into back in Florida.
Think about that for a second. He was a band geek who turned into a professional dancer, who then turned into a viral comedian, who finally became a dramatic actor. Most people don’t have that many "lives" by the time they’re 36.
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How Old Was Woody McClain When He Played Bobby Brown?
This was the role that changed everything. When The New Edition Story premiered on BET in 2017, Woody was 27.
Playing Bobby Brown is a massive undertaking. You have to dance like a maniac, sing (or at least look like you are), and capture that specific "Bad Boy of R&B" charisma. Bobby Brown himself actually gave Woody his blessing, which is the ultimate co-sign. Woody has mentioned that Bobby became like an uncle to him during the process.
Life at 36: Fatherhood and Future Projects
Woody is currently in a very different phase of life than the characters he plays. While Cane Tejada is out here causing chaos in New York, the real Woody McClain is settling into fatherhood.
In late 2025, news broke that Woody was expecting twin girls. He shared photos of a beautiful baby shower in Atlanta. Being a girl dad at 36 is a far cry from the tough-guy persona fans see on Sunday nights.
What’s Next for Woody?
Now that Power Book II: Ghost has wrapped its final season, everyone is wondering what’s next. At 36, Woody is in his prime for leading man roles. He’s expressed a lot of interest in:
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- Producing: He wants to be behind the camera, creating stories for other Black actors.
- Action Roles: Given his dance background, he’s a natural for stunt-heavy work.
- Directing: He’s been learning the ropes on set for years.
A Quick Summary of Woody McClain’s Stats
- Birth Date: May 14, 1989
- Current Age (2026): 36 years old
- Birthplace: Charleston, SC
- Height: Roughly 6'2"
- Breakout Role: Bobby Brown (2017)
- Most Famous Current Role: Cane Tejada (Power Book II: Ghost)
It’s easy to get caught up in the "celebrity age" trap. We see them on screen and assume they stay that age forever. But Woody McClain’s story is really one of persistence. He didn't find mainstream acting success until his late 20s, and he didn't become a household name until his early 30s.
It just goes to show that you don't have to be a "teen sensation" to make it in Hollywood. Sometimes, the best actors are the ones who lived a little bit of life first. They bring that experience to the screen. When you watch Cane Tejada, you aren't just watching a kid; you're watching a man who knows exactly how to command a room.
If you’re a fan looking to follow his next moves, keep an eye on his production company, Powerhouse Productions. He’s clearly planning for a career that lasts way beyond his 30s.
Actionable Insights:
If you want to keep up with Woody's real-time updates (and see if he finally looks 36), follow his official Instagram. He’s fairly active there, though he keeps his private life—especially his kids—mostly under wraps. If you're an aspiring actor, look at his transition from Vine to BET as a blueprint for using social media to bridge the gap into "prestige" television. It's a path that requires a lot of discipline and, as Woody says, "staying ready so you don't have to get ready."