Jason Michael Weaver, better known by his name Jason Weaver or his stage name J-Weav, is an American actor and singer. He is mostly recognized for his diverse acting and musical careers with lasting power in pop culture.

Early Life: a Creative Background

Born July 18, 1979, in Chicago, Illinois, Jason Weaver comes from a family that was heavily invested in music and creativity. His mother, Kitty Haywood, was a professional studio singer and even part of a 1970s band called Kitty and the Haywoods. The impact of having a professional singer/artist for a mom had an undoubtedly fundamental effect on Jason’s creative outputs since she encouraged and allowed him to pursue acting and singing since he was young.

Weaver attended Illiana Christian High School in Lansing, Illinois, before finishing at Thornwood High School in South Holland, Illinois. Finally, he was raised as an only child, so he was able to get the attention of both parents for early artistic development.

ACTING CAREER

Jason Weaver’s acting career began at the young age of 10 with his first main acting role in Oprah Winfrey’s 1990 miniseries Brewster Place. However, his breakout role came just a few years later, in 1992, when he played preteen Michael Jackson in the Emmy-winning ABC miniseries The Jacksons: An American Dream. Weaver’s performance captured the essence of Jackson as a very young child and led to his crucial acclaim. This role helps Jason as an up-and-coming young actor. Weaver also gained notoriety from his roles as Jerome Turrell in the sitcom Thea (1993–1994) and Marcus Henderson in the WB sitcom Smart Guy (1997–1999). Weaver transitioned from a role in drama (a role that earned its own praise) to a longer starring turn, allowing him to tap into his comedic timing, making a callback to ornaments and inescapable associations. He was the workhorse of 1990s television.

THE LION KING: A TURNING POINT

Weaver’s most remembered contribution to entertainment culture was providing the singing voice of Young Simba for Disney’s The Lion King (1994). Weaver’s renditions of classic songs–such as “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King”—became staples and earned him notoriety and a place in Disney history. He had the foresight to elect to receive royalties on his signed contract for The Lion King, rather than accepting a one-time payment, which continues to make him money more than 20 years later.

FILM ROLES

Some classic film roles include:

* Drumline (2002), in which he played Ernest, the funniest and most visceral character that grossed the most relatability.

* ATL (2006), with expected collaborators like rappers T.I. and Big Boi.

* Lottery Ticket (2010), a comedy that relied on Weaver’s interactions with other actors and willingness to connect with an audience.

He is confident in his abilities to switch back and forth between television and film. Weaver continues to create and develop a film-based resume, making him a good player.

MUSIC CAREER

In addition to acting, Jason Weaver started his own music career as “J-Weav.” In 1995, he signed with Motown Records and released his debut recording, Love Ambition, which featured hits like “I Can’t Stand The Pain” as well as “Love Ambition.” After much continuous work in his musical career, Weaver’s career took off in 2004 when he teamed with rapper Chingy on the single “One Call Away,” which peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, a loftier moment in his music career. Despite a tough time with multiple albums, he remained faithful to working on music and collaborating with diverse artists to continue to develop his sound.

Awards and Recognition

As an artist continuing to work in the entertainment industry, Jason Weaver has accumulated some awards in the entertainment realm:

* Young Artist Awards: For acting in The Jacksons: An American Dream.

* The Ambies: Ibra Best Song(s) (2015) for The Lion King (with Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella).

Personal Life: Family and Values

Jason Weaver is married to Myra Weaver and has a son, Jaylen Zylus Weaver, born in 2001. Today, he still maintains some privacy in his personal dealings while enjoying his public dealings, while continuing to focus on family, friends, and, of course, faith. Weaver identifies himself as Christian, and his beliefs play a prominent role in his life.

Net Worth: Strategic Success

As of 2025, Jason Weaver’s net worth is estimated to be around $4 million. This fortune has been made through his acting roles, music projects, and royalty from The Lion King, as well as various real estate investments.

Legacy: A Multifaceted Star

Jason Weaver’s ability to do well in both areas of acting and music has made him a rarity in entertainment and a lasting star. Weaver has been recognized both as Michael Jackson in the collective consciousness of audiences and for his work with the Disney film The Lion King as empowering images throughout world culture.

As Weaver continues to work today with productions such as The Chi and Sistas, Jason Weaver has not only shown himself to be a talented, strong, and strategic negotiator, but he has also become a mentor to many young artists in hollywood.