You know that feeling when you hear a voice and instantly get transported back to eating cereal on a Saturday morning? For a lot of us, that voice belongs to Jason Weaver. Whether he was hitting those impossible high notes as a young Michael Jackson or playing the cool (but maybe not "smartest") older brother on The WB, Weaver has been a constant in the background of our lives for over three decades.
But honestly, the conversation around jason weaver movies and shows usually starts with a check. Specifically, the one he didn't take.
The $2 Million Disney Gamble
Let’s get the big one out of the way. If you look at his filmography, you’ll see The Lion King (1994) sitting there. He wasn’t the voice of Simba—that was Jonathan Taylor Thomas—but he was the singing voice. Every time you belt out "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" in the shower, you’re channeling Jason Weaver.
The story goes that Disney offered him a flat $2 million fee for the role. In the early 90s, that was life-changing, "set-for-life" kind of money for a teenager. But his mom, Marilyn Haywood, saw the bigger picture. She turned it down. Instead, they negotiated for $100,000 upfront plus a share of the royalties.
It was a genius move.
Because Disney keeps re-releasing that movie on every format known to man, from VHS to 4K Blu-ray and streaming, those royalty checks haven't stopped. Weaver has publicly joked about how he still gets paid for work he did when he was 13. It’s a masterclass in knowing your worth in an industry that usually tries to buy you out early.
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Becoming the King of Pop (Twice)
Before the lions, there were the Jacksons. In 1992, Weaver landed the role of a lifetime playing a young Michael Jackson in the miniseries The Jacksons: An American Dream.
He didn't just act. He sang.
People often forget that he actually performed the vocals for the pre-teen Michael parts. It was so convincing that even MJ himself reportedly gave it the stamp of approval. That performance is what caught the ear of Elton John, who then recommended him for the Simba role. Talk about a domino effect.
The Smart Guy and the Sitcom Grind
If you grew up in the late 90s, Jason Weaver was Marcus Henderson.
Smart Guy was one of those shows that felt like it was always on. As the older brother to Tahj Mowry’s boy-genius character, Weaver played the perfect foil. Marcus was the "average" kid—obsessed with his band, Mackadocious, and trying to look cool while his 10-year-old brother was literally in his high school chemistry class.
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It wasn't his only sitcom, though.
He was also in Thea, which was Brandy’s first big TV gig before Moesha. He played Jerome, the middle child. Looking back at jason weaver movies and shows from that era, you can see he was basically the go-to guy for "the relatable Black teenager." He had this natural, easy-going charisma that made you feel like you actually knew him.
A Quick Look at the Essentials
- The Jacksons: An American Dream (1992): The breakout. He played MJ from ages 9 to 14.
- Thea (1993-1994): Starring alongside Brandy and Thea Vidale.
- The Lion King (1994): Provided the singing voice for Young Simba.
- Summertime Switch (1994): A wild "Prince and the Pauper" style TV movie where he swaps lives with a rich kid at summer camp.
- Smart Guy (1997-1999): The role that cemented his face in the heads of every Millennial.
From ATL to The Chi
A lot of child stars fade out once the "cute" factor wears off. Weaver didn't. He just pivoted. In 2006, he appeared in ATL as Teddy. If you haven't seen it, ATL is basically a love letter to Atlanta skate culture. It’s a cult classic for a reason, and Weaver’s character, with his gold grills and hustle, was a far cry from Marcus Henderson.
He’s still at it, too.
Most recently, he’s been recurring on Showtime's The Chi as Shaad. It’s a much grittier, more mature role than anything he did on The WB. Seeing him navigate the complexities of life after prison on that show is a reminder that the kid who sang "Hakuna Matata" has grown up into a seriously nuanced actor.
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Why He Still Matters
It’s easy to get lost in the trivia of the $2 million Disney deal, but Weaver’s longevity is about more than just a smart contract. He represents a specific era of Black television and film that felt authentic and joyful.
He also managed to dodge the "child star curse." No public meltdowns, no "where are they now" tragedies. Just a steady, decades-long career of putting in the work and collecting his checks.
If you're looking to revisit his work, start with the Jacksons miniseries. It’s still one of the best biopics ever made, mostly because Weaver actually captures the soul of Michael’s early years rather than just doing an impression. Then, hit ATL for the culture.
The coolest thing about jason weaver movies and shows is that they grew up with us. We went from watching him as a kid on Smart Guy to seeing him deal with adult problems on The Chi. He’s a survivor in a tough industry, and honestly, we should probably be talking about that more.
If you want to support his current work, check out his latest episodes on The Chi or follow his social media where he’s surprisingly open about the business side of Hollywood. It's rare to see a veteran actor be that transparent about how the industry actually works.