Who Is Eric Mays Brother Malcolm Michael: Parents, Siblings & Family Explored
Malcolm Michael Mays is an American actor, musician, and filmmaker who has starred in movies such as Life of a King, Southpaw, and Snowfall. He is also the nephew of Stanley “Tookie” Williams, the notorious co-founder of the Crips gang. But who is his brother, Eric Mays, and what is their family background? Here is everything you need to know about Malcolm and his brother Eric Mays.
Early Life and Education
Malcolm Michael Mays was born on February 14, 1990, in Los Angeles, California. He started playing piano at age eleven and developed a passion for music, art, and film. He cites a wide range of influences, from Eric Dolphy and John Coltrane to Rachmaninov and Beethoven, from Caravaggio and Michelangelo to Sinatra and Prince, from John Keats and James Baldwin to Nina Simone and Maya Angelou.
At the age of seventeen, Mays co-directed and produced his own short film, Trouble, which aimed to shed light on the African American and Latin American tension in South Central Los Angeles, where he grew up. The film caught the attention of Sony Pictures, Kodak Films, Todd Black, John Singleton, and Denzel Washington, who all supported Mays’ production. The New York Times also featured Mays’ story on its front page, calling it “based on a true story”.
Malcolm Michael’s Parents & Siblings
| Name | Malcolm Michael Mays |
|---|---|
| Birth date | February 14, 1990 |
| Birthplace | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor, musician, filmmaker |
| Notable works | Life of a King, Southpaw, Snowfall, Power Book III: Raising Kanan |
| Parents | Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz |
| Siblings | Attallah, Qubilah, Ilyasah, Gamilah, Malikah, Eric Mays |
| Relatives | Stanley “Tookie” Williams (uncle) |
Professional Life
Malcolm Michael made his big-screen debut in 2013, starring alongside Cuba Gooding Jr. in Life of a King, a biographical drama about a chess coach who helps inner-city kids. The film premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival and Mays was praised by Variety as a natural and a highlight. Cuba Gooding Jr. also recognized him as part of the “next generation” of African-American actors.
In 2015, Mays played Gabe in Southpaw, a sports drama directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by Kurt Sutter. The film starred Jake Gyllenhaal, Forest Whitaker, and Rachel McAdams, and was released by The Weinstein Company. Mays portrayed a young boxer who trains with Gyllenhaal’s character after losing his father.
In 2017, Mays was cast as a series regular in FX’s drama pilot Snowfall, about the beginnings of the crack cocaine epidemic in Los Angeles in the 80s. The show was co-written by John Singleton and Eric Amadio and directed by Singleton. Mays played Kevin Hamilton, the best friend of Franklin (Damson Idris), the main protagonist.
In 2021, Mays joined the cast of Power Book III: Raising Kanan, a spin-off of the popular Starz series Power. The show is a prequel that follows the early years of Kanan Stark, the character played by 50 Cent in the original series. Mays plays Lou Lou, Kanan’s uncle and a key member of his family’s drug business.
Family Members
Michael Mays is the son of Malcolm X, the legendary civil rights activist and leader of the Nation of Islam. His mother is Betty Shabazz, a nurse and educator who was also an influential figure in the black community. Malcolm Michael has five sisters: Attallah, Qubilah, Ilyasah, Gamilah, and Malikah. He also has a half-brother, Eric Mays, from his father’s previous marriage to Louise Little.
Eric Mays was a politician and activist who served as a city councilman in Flint, Michigan, until his death in 2024. Malcolm Michael grew up in a family that was deeply involved in the struggle for racial justice and social change. He inherited his father’s passion for art, music, and film, as well as his courage and charisma.
See Also:- Wendy Williams Siblings: Meet Brother Thomas Williams Jr. & Sister Wanda Williams
Eric Mays: Life and Legacy
Eric Mays was Malcolm Michael’s older brother, who was born on September 16, 1958, in Flint, Michigan. He was an auto worker and a politician, who served as a member of the Flint City Council from 2013 until he died in 2024, representing northwest Flint as the First Ward representative.
Mays was known for his outspokenness and activism, especially during the Flint water crisis, which exposed thousands of residents to lead-contaminated water. He was one of the first to raise concerns about the water quality and demand accountability from the authorities. He also advocated for the rights and interests of his constituents, who were mostly poor and Black.
Mays was also a controversial figure, who faced several legal troubles and clashes with his fellow council members. He was jailed in 2016 for allegedly driving drunk and crashing his car on the highway. He pleaded no contest in 2017 for allegedly pawning a city-owned laptop nine times. He was suspended from the council in 2023 for making “constant frivolous motions” and using “racist rhetoric”. He also performed a Nazi salute in 2020 to mock the council president, Monica Galloway, after a verbal altercation.
Mays died on February 24, 2024, at his home in Flint. He was 65. His cause of death was not disclosed, but he had been suffering from health issues for some time. He was mourned by his family, friends, and supporters, who remembered him as a bold and courageous servant of the people. He was also praised by his political opponents, such as Mayor Sheldon Neeley and US Representative Dan Kildee, who acknowledged his love for Flint and his lifelong friendship.
Malcolm Michael Mays and Eric Mays were brothers who had different paths in life, but shared a common bond of passion and perseverance. Malcolm pursued his dreams of becoming an actor, musician, and filmmaker, and achieved success and recognition in Hollywood. Eric Mays dedicated his life to serving his community and fighting for justice and dignity in Flint. Both of them left a mark on the world with their talents and voices, and inspired many people with their stories.
Read Also:- Wendy Williams Parents: Meet Mother Shirley Williams & Father Thomas Williams Sr.
