Michael B. Jordan is a first time Oscar nominee for his role in Sinners and his former drama teacher shared how he showed early promise.
Carl Gonzalez, who taught Jordan at Newark Arts High School in New Jersey, spoke to People about Jordan’s success, particularly his longtime collaboration with Sinners writer and director Ryan Coogler.
“His relationship with Ryan Coogler is not to be dismissed — not at all,” he said. “Those two might end up like Scorsese and DeNiro.”
Gonzalez went on to praise Jordan’s early dedication and strong work ethic when he was his student.
“I’m not surprised by any of this,” Gonzalez said of Jordan’s success. “The sky is the limit for this guy.”
Gonzalez taught Jordan when he was already in the beginning stages of his career as he appeared on HBO’s The Wire while attending school.
“He was one of the first kids I had who was already a working actor,” Gonzalez recalled. “We had to come up with a plan with the principal — how does he get a grade, how does he get credit, how does he keep up with school while filming?:
Gonzalez said Jordan was always looking for opportunities to learn and grow as an actor.
“Our conversations were always about how he could get better,” he said. “He’d ask me, ‘How can I do better at an audition? Do you have any audition material for me?’ He was a tremendous worker — very empathetic, very compassionate and beyond his years.”
Jordan had visited his alma mater back in 2019 and reconnected with Gonzalez following his Hollywood success.
“When he came back, we sat him in the same seat he used to sit in,” Gonzalez said. “He looked around and said, ‘Oh my gosh, I remember this basement classroom.'”
Gonzalez says he is often asked if he can help other aspiring actors following in Jordan’s footsteps.
“Everybody comes to me and says, ‘Can you get me there?’ And I tell them — you have to do what Michael did. You have to do the work.”
As for what the future holds for Jordan’s career, Gonzalez says, “I’m excited about the next 10 or 15 years. Because he’s just getting started.”
The 98th Academy Awards will air live on ABC and Hulu on Sunday, March 15, starting at 7 p.m. ET.
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