Michael B. Jordan: From Soap Star To Hollywood Icon

Michael B. Jordan Credits 'All My Children' for His Acting Chops

Who needs a drama school when you've got the set of All My Children? Michael B. Jordan, now an Oscar nominee for his role in Ryan Coogler's Sinners, recently opened up about how the beloved soap opera was his true acting classroom. During a chat with Sirius XM, Jordan fondly reflected on his formative years on the show, sharing some sweet words from his former co-star, Susan Lucci.

"He was prepared, he was on time, he was committed, he was sweet, he was respectful to everyone around him — cast, crew, producers, everybody, you name it. But not nauseously so, you know, not phony baloney. He was authentically who he was," Lucci praised.

Touched by Lucci's kind words, Jordan expressed his gratitude, noting, "I gotta get in touch with her." He went on to discuss how working on the show was a major learning experience. Despite not being his first gig in Hollywood, his stint as a teenager on All My Children was pivotal.

Learning the Craft on a Soap Opera Set

Jordan shared that his time on the soap was packed with invaluable lessons. "That time I spent on that show did so much for me education-wise," he said, highlighting the experience of working alongside stars like Lucci, Darnell Williams, and Walt Willey. "We did 100-plus pages a day," he recalled. "We did an episode and a half a day, you know what I'm saying? It was a machine. And [for] a kid that never really went to acting classes and never went to acting school or anything like that, that was my education. I learned from them."

Before joining All My Children, Jordan had already made waves as Wallace on The Wire. However, his role as Reggie Porter Montgomery on the soap was another significant chapter in his career. Originally played by the late Chadwick Boseman, Reggie's character came with its own set of challenges, which Jordan later acknowledged as a turning point.

From Soap Opera to Hollywood Stardom

In a candid 2015 interview with GQ, Jordan admitted that the stereotypical nature of his soap character influenced his future career choices. "No dad, no mom, a f---ing stereotypical black role in a soap opera," he said. "And I saw the stereotype, so moving forward I was like, 'Nah, those are the roles I don’t want to play.'"

Despite the challenges, Jordan acknowledges that his soap opera days opened unexpected doors. "I never knew how many casting directors and executives in Hollywood would tell me, 'Oh man, my wife really loves you.' Or like, 'Oh, she watches you all the time on the stories,'" he shared with PEOPLE. Many of these interactions led to new opportunities in Hollywood.

Fast forward to today, and Michael B. Jordan has transformed from a soap star into a Hollywood icon, with accolades such as a Producers Guild Award, a SAG win, a Golden Globe nod, and two Emmy nominations to his name.