
Mike Colter, an American actor with the remarkable role of Luke Cage in MCU’s Netflix series Luke Cage (2016-2018) grabbed him Hollywood recognition. The Rutgers University graduate with an MFA degree records career stints in a further 2 MCU series: Jessica Jones (2015) and The Defenders (2017).
Colter has 40 acting credits including notable TV appearances in The Good Wife (2010-2015) and The Good Fight (2018-present). In 2012, he played Agent J’s father in Men in Black 3 (2012). In addition to that, he also appeared in critically acclaimed films Million Dollar Baby, Zero Dark Thirty, and Girls Trip.
Is the Youngest Of 5 Children- Family & Education
Born on August 26, 1976, in Columbia, South Carolina, the USA, Colter is an American by nationality & is of black ethnic background. His birth name is Mike Randal Colter. The youngest of 5 children to Eddie Lee, Sr. and Freddie Marion, Mike’s parents did support his passion for acting since he was young.
Fond of acting from an early age, Mike Colter attended Calhoun County High School, where he would play in dramas. Thereafter, the future Hollywood star enrolled at Benedict College before transferring to the University of South Carolina. In 1999, the South Carolina native obtained his B.A. degree in theater.
After that, he went to Rutgers University Mason Gross School of the Arts for further studies & graduated with an MFA degree in acting.
How Old and Tall Is ‘Luke Cage’ Actor Mike Colter?
As of May 2021, Mike is 44 years old & stands pretty tall with a height of 6 feet 3 inches (191 cm).
When Did He Make Acting Debut?
Already with theater experience throughout his high school & college days, Colter, after graduation went to Los Angeles to pursue acting. Even though he did saw difficulties to land on TV at first, the actor earned a TV debut in 2002 through guest roles in TV series ER and The Parkers.
Moreover, in 2004, Mike made his feature film debut in critically as well as commercially acclaimed Million Dollar Baby. The movie starred Clint Eastwood, Hilary Swank, and Morgan Freeman on the lead cast.
Prominence on TV Career
Between 2005 & 2010, Coler made TV appearances in Law & Order: Trial by Jury (2005), Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2007), and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2009). In 2010, he was cast as Lemond Bishop in The Good Wife working until 2015 in 21 episodes.
Other notable TV roles were in Ringer (2011- 12), American Horror Story (2013-14), The Following (2013- 15), and Agent X (2015).
Mike portrayed Luke Cage in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Netflix production Jessica Jones (2015). Then, in 2016, his same character Luke got his own TV series Luke Cage (2016- 18, 26 episodes). The series co-starring Mahershala Ali, Simone Missick, and Theo Rossi earned him nominations for NAACP Image Award and Saturn Award.

Moreover, Colter’s character Luke Cage appeared in another MCU’s Netflix series The Defenders (2017, 8 episodes).
Thereafter, having worked as guest cast in Seis Manos and The Good Fight, he played the main cast David Acosta in Supernatural TV series Evil (2019- 2020). There, he shared the screen with Katja Herbers and Aasif Mandvi in 14 episodes.
Why Was Luke Cage Cancelled?
Without a doubt, fans fascinated with Mike Colter’s acting in Luke Cage are eager to see him on the role again, although no update on its revival is out. After Season 2 of Luke Cage released on June 22, 2018, on Netflix, many were gazing eyes for a hopeful Season 3. However, due to behind-the-scenes turmoil between Netflix and Marvel Cinematic Universe, the series received a cancellation.
According to a deal between MCU and Netflix, even after cancellation, a Marvel character can’t appear on another distribution platform for at least 2 years.
Mike Colter Film Works & Box-Office Collection
Following appearances in Brooklyn Lobster (2005) and And Then Came Love (2007), Mike Colter starred in commercially successful Salt (2010) featuring Angelina Jolie. The movie made on the budget of $110 million made $293.5 million at the box-office.
In 2012, he portrayed Colonel James Darrell Edwards (father of Agent J) in Men In Black 3 (2012). The same year, the actor worked in the critically acclaimed Zero Dark Thirty. In 2017, Colter starred in the comedy Girls Trip which received commercial as well as critical success.
Check out his films box-office collection:
- Men In Black 3 (2012)– $624 million (budget was $215- $225 million)
- Zero Dark Thirty (2012)- $132.8 million (budget was $40 million)
- Girls Trip (2017)- $140.9 million ($20 million budget)
What Is Mike Colter Currently Doing?
According to IMDB, after his most recent appearance in TV series Social Distance (2020) and Monsterland (2020), Colter is working on his upcoming projects. His 2021 film Fatale is under post-production. He will play Price in Till Death and Charlie Walker in I’m Charlie Walker; both are yet to have a release date.
Is Married & Father Of 2- Wife’s Name?
Mike Colter is a happily married man and lives with his wife Iva Colter in Los Angeles. Reportedly, the duo is in a marital relationship since 2016 and are parents to 2 children, both daughters. One of his daughter’s name is Naiella Colter.

In a segment of The Wendy Williams Show in 2016, he confirmed that he fathers a daughter with his spouse Iva. The couple often makes red-carpet appearances together & are not shy to show their affection to each other.
An avid user of Instagram, Colter’s official account with the handle @realmikecolter has over 318K followers in late 2020.
How Much Is Mike Colter’s Net Worth?
Turned professional in 2002, Colter records 40 acting credits including TV series & films, which is his major income source. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Mike Colter has $2 million net worth in 2021. Thanks to his appearances in TV series: Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, The Defenders, Agent X, and Evil.
Moreover, the American actor worked in films such as Million Dollars Baby, Salt, Zero Dark Thirty, and Girls Trip.
Allegedly, Mike earns a salary in the massive 6-digit figure (hundreds of thousand dollars) per year.
Interesting Facts Of Colter:
- Is a second cousin of actress Viola Davis
- At the beginning of Luke Cage filming, gained 30 lbs
- Gained 15 lbs muscle for the film Million Dollar Baby
- Brother (name undisclosed) is a secret service agent
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