Becoming Adonis Creed: How Michael B. Jordan Brought Apollo’s Legacy to Life
Actor Michael B. Jordan was born on February 9, 1987, in Santa Ana, California. Raised in Newark, New Jersey, his middle name “Bakari” means “noble promise” in Swahili. Despite growing up with comparisons to the basketball legend of the same name, Jordan carved out his own path—first in modeling, then in acting.
He broke in early with appearances in Cosby and The Sopranos. Fun fact: the Cosby Show has unexpected Rocky roots—Sylvia Meals, who played Apollo Creed’s wife in Rocky II and Rocky IV, appeared on the show, as did Phylicia Rashad, who later became Mary Anne Creed in the Creed series alongside Jordan.
The Road to Creed: Before the Gloves Came On
Jordan’s resume built steadily: All My Children, Friday Night Lights, Burn Notice, and a spot on Law & Order: Criminal Intent—where he played a boxer wrapped in a dogfighting scandal. A few years later, that role would feel like foreshadowing.
His breakout came in 2013 with Fruitvale Station, directed by Ryan Coogler. Jordan played Oscar Grant, a real-life police shooting victim. That performance lit the fuse. It’s what convinced Sylvester Stallone to sign off on Coogler’s idea for a Rocky spinoff starring Jordan as Apollo Creed’s son.
Building the Fighter: Training for Adonis Creed
For Creed, Jordan trained like a real fighter. He stuck to a low-fat diet and pushed through 11 months of grueling workouts. The results were unreal. Stallone and Carl Weathers both commented on his physical transformation.
During filming, he never used a body double. Jordan took real punches from professional boxers and left the ring bloodied and dizzy more than once. This wasn’t acting—it was all in.
Creed II: Legacy vs. Revenge
In Creed II, Jordan faced down Florian Munteanu as Viktor Drago, son of Ivan Drago. The film leaned into the emotional scars of Apollo’s death and the cost of legacy. Jordan’s performance evolved from scrappy upstart to hardened champion—both inside and outside the ring.
Creed III: Directing, Acting, Leading the Franchise
Creed III was the turning point. Jordan didn’t just star—he directed. Taking the reins of the Rocky franchise was a massive step. And he delivered.
He brought in new characters, like Amara Creed, played by Mila Davis-Kent. She’s a deaf actress who portrayed Adonis and Bianca’s daughter. Jordan worked closely with Mila and Tessa Thompson (Bianca) to create a believable family dynamic that grounded the film emotionally.
Jordan described directing as something that gave him a new creative fire: “I got the bug. I love it. I’m looking forward to the next time sitting behind the camera.”
His control of Creed III showed a maturing star stepping into legacy—not just as Adonis Creed, but as a storyteller shaping what’s next.
Where He’s Headed Next
Jordan’s not done. He’s set to direct and star in The Thomas Crown Affair for Amazon MGM Studios. He’s also developing new projects through his production company, aiming to tell more stories where he has creative control.
Whether it’s in gloves or behind the lens, Michael B. Jordan continues to define what it means to fight your way to the top.
