Michael Jai White revealed his eldest son died from COVID-19 a few months ago.
White discussed his son’s passing during an interview with DJ Vlad on VladTV. The loss came up while the actor was discussing his family life. The exact day of the death was not revealed. White’s son was 38-years old.
“He was in the hospital for a while, so it wasn’t immediate,” White explained.
The “Take Back” star shared he was only 15 years old when his son was born, and they had “grown up together.” DJ Vlad implied the mother of his son was an older woman, but White brushed the comment off.
Before his death, White’s son was living a difficult life, according to his father.
“Unfortunately, he was still kinda out there in the streets hustling, wasn’t doing well, started getting on substances,” White shared. “He’d come out, go back in, all that type of stuff.”
White insisted he tried to help his son, but his efforts weren’t successful.
“Ultimately, it’s up to that person, especially if it’s a grown person,” he said.
“He never shook the streets,” he added. That was his thing.”
The actor revealed his son was in ill health before he died due to his lifestyle and argued COVID-19 was the last straw.
“Ultimately, when he got sick and went to the hospital, COVID was waiting for him… That was the knockout blow,” the actor concluded.
Viewers left their condolences in the comment section.
“Didn’t know he was old enough to have a 38-year-old son. My heart goes out to him. He seems like a really good guy, and that is heartbreaking,” wrote one person.
“I feel bad for the loss of his son. Michael just seems so low-key and humble. Wish more actors were like him,” stated another fan.
He added his son was not vaccinated and left behind six children of his own. White has five other children and stepchildren from wife Gillian Iliana Waters, per People Magazine.
Prayers up.
