O’Shea Jackson Jr. Bio
O’Shea Jackson Jr. (born February 24, 1991), also known by the stage name OMG, is an American actor, rapper, and songwriter. He is the oldest son of rapper and actor Ice Cube, and he first drew widespread attention for portraying his father in the 2015 biographical film Straight Outta Compton. Beyond music and film, Jackson has built a steady career across genres, ranging from dark comedy and crime drama to franchise blockbusters and prestige courtroom dramas.
Early Life and Background
O’Shea Jackson Jr. was born on February 24, 1991, in Los Angeles, California, to O’Shea Jackson Sr., widely known as Ice Cube, and Kimberly Woodruff. He was raised in the San Fernando Valley and is the oldest of four children, with two younger brothers, Darrell and Shareef, and a younger sister, Kareema. Darrell has followed a similar path into rap, while the family has remained close throughout Jackson’s public life.
Jackson comes from one of hip-hop’s most recognizable families, and music was part of his upbringing. Like his father, he attended William Howard Taft High School in Woodland Hills, California, graduating in 2009. He went on to attend the University of Southern California, where he studied screenwriting, although he later left school to focus on his acting career.
Path to Acting
Jackson’s creative instincts were shaped by both the entertainment world around him and his own training. While studying screenwriting at the University of Southern California, he developed an interest in storytelling that would later inform his approach to roles. His decision to leave college reflected a clear commitment to performing rather than only writing.
His break came when he was cast to portray his father, Ice Cube, in the N.W.A. biographical film Straight Outta Compton. Casting was announced in June 2014, with Jackson winning the part on the strength of his resemblance and presence. Ice Cube himself told Jimmy Kimmel in October 2014 that his son was “spot-on. He was born to play the part,” a quote that became part of the film’s pre-release buzz.
O’Shea Jackson Jr. Career
Early Career (2007–2014)
Jackson began his entertainment career as a teenager. He and his brother Darrell were featured in 2010 on two tracks from their father’s album I Am the West, namely “She Couldn’t Make It On Her Own” and “Y’all Know How I Am.” In March 2012, Jackson, performing as OMG, released his first mixtape, Jackin’ for Beats, with Vibe noting that the project offered his own lyrics layered over the year’s most popular beats.
Through the early 2010s, Jackson also picked up small on-screen credits, including a 2015 appearance in Pia Mia’s music video for “Touch” and a role in the music video for Twenty88’s “Out of Love.” These appearances, combined with his music releases, kept him visible in hip-hop circles while he waited for a film role that fit his profile.
Breakthrough (2015–2018)
Jackson’s feature film debut arrived with Straight Outta Compton, which was released on August 14, 2015, to positive reviews. His performance as the young Ice Cube drew on his physical resemblance to his father and earned him notice as a promising new actor in Hollywood. The success of the biopic opened the door to a wider range of parts.
In 2017, Jackson starred opposite Aubrey Plaza in Ingrid Goes West, playing Dan Pinto, a Batman-obsessed aspiring screenwriter. Critics at the Los Angeles Times, Vulture, and Collider singled him out for his scene-stealing comedic timing. The following year, he starred in the heist film Den of Thieves alongside Gerard Butler and 50 Cent, further establishing his presence in the crime genre.
Expansion (2019–2021)
Jackson had a particularly busy 2019. He played Lance, the best friend of Seth Rogen’s character, in the romantic comedy Long Shot with Charlize Theron. He also portrayed Barnes, the leader of the G-Team military squad, in Godzilla: King of the Monsters. Later that year, he co-starred with Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Foxx, and Brie Larson in Just Mercy, taking on the role of Anthony Ray Hinton, a man who spent nearly 30 years behind bars after a wrongful murder conviction.
On television, Jackson played hip-hop pioneer Kool Herc in a 2018 segment of Drunk History and made a guest appearance on the debut episode of WWE SmackDown on Fox in October 2019. He also starred opposite Dave Franco in the comedy series The Now, which was originally developed for Quibi before being released on The Roku Channel on December 10, 2021. In the same year, he joined the Apple TV+ basketball drama Swagger, playing Ike Edwards, a former rising star who struggles to coach a competitive high-school team.
Notable Works and Milestones
Jackson’s most recognizable projects include Straight Outta Compton, Ingrid Goes West, Den of Thieves, Long Shot, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, and Just Mercy, along with the series Swagger and The Now. His genre range, from biographical drama to dark comedy, action, and sports storytelling, has made him a flexible presence in both film and television.
O’Shea Jackson Jr. Family
Jackson’s father is the rapper, actor, and producer Ice Cube, and his mother is Kimberly Woodruff. He grew up alongside his brother Darrell, who is also a rapper, his brother Shareef, and his sister Kareema. The family ties have shaped both his artistic direction and his entry into the entertainment industry, with his father also producing several of the films in which he has appeared.
Personal Life
Jackson has a daughter, Jordan Reign Jackson, born in August 2017 with his ex-girlfriend Jackie Garcia. Outside of his work, he is a fan of professional wrestling and hosts a wrestling recap podcast called No Contest Wrestling. He also follows the Los Angeles Kings of the NHL, the Los Angeles Rams of the NFL, and enjoys anime, including Dragon Ball Z, One Piece, and Pokémon.
O’Shea Jackson Jr. Career Highlights
Jackson has balanced film, television, and music since the late 2000s. His early mixtape Jackin’ for Beats introduced him as OMG, while Straight Outta Compton established him as a leading actor. Subsequent roles in Ingrid Goes West, Den of Thieves, Just Mercy, Swagger, and the Disney+ Star Wars series Obi-Wan Kenobi, in which he played Kawlan Roken, have continued to expand his profile. In 2025, Jackson made a special guest appearance on the TNA wrestling program TNA Impact!, reflecting his long-standing interest in the sport.
