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IMDbPro

Michael Jordan: An American Hero

  • TV Movie
  • 1999
  • PG
IMDb RATING
4.4/10
355
YOUR RATING
Michael Jace in Michael Jordan: An American Hero (1999)
BiographyDramaSport

It starts as a little kid and shows the man behind the legend grow up to the nbaIt starts as a little kid and shows the man behind the legend grow up to the nbaIt starts as a little kid and shows the man behind the legend grow up to the nba

  • Director
    • Alan Metzger
  • Writers
    • Jim Naughton
    • Michael J. Murray
  • Stars
    • Debbie Allen
    • Ernie Hudson
    • Robin Givens
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    4.4/10
    355
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Alan Metzger
    • Writers
      • Jim Naughton
      • Michael J. Murray
    • Stars
      • Debbie Allen
      • Ernie Hudson
      • Robin Givens
    • 11User reviews
    • 2Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos2

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    Top Cast68

    Edit
    Debbie Allen
    Debbie Allen
    • Deloris Jordan
    Ernie Hudson
    Ernie Hudson
    • James Jordan
    Robin Givens
    Robin Givens
    • Juanita Vanoy…
    Lou Rawls
    Lou Rawls
    • Security Guard
    Chris Jacobs
    • Buzz Peterson
    • (as Christopher Jacobs)
    Logan Robbins
    Logan Robbins
    • Curtis Age 12
    Brenan T. Baird
    • Phil Jackson
    Cordereau Dye
    • Michael Age 12
    Michael Dyer
    Michael Dyer
    • Robbie Squires
    Desi Arnez Hines II
    Desi Arnez Hines II
    • Leroy Age 15
    • (as Desi Arnes Hines II)
    Thomas Hobson
    Thomas Hobson
    • Michael Age 15
    Mark Mathias
    • Abel Broxton
    Dari Gerard Smith
    • Michael Age 6
    • (as Dari G. Smith)
    Rugg Williams
    Rugg Williams
    • Del Shawn
    Michael Jace
    Michael Jace
    • Michael Jordan
    Thomas Hildreth
    Thomas Hildreth
    • Curtis
    Michael Malota
    • Curtis Age 15
    Rick Garcia
    Rick Garcia
    • Reporter
    • Director
      • Alan Metzger
    • Writers
      • Jim Naughton
      • Michael J. Murray
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews11

    4.4355
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    Featured reviews

    1fishbulbIV

    American Hero ?!

    The name pretty much butchers this (ahem) movie. Look, Michael Jordan is a great Basketball player & a legend to the NBA (let alone the Chicago Bulls). But he was never a soldier in a war or anything like that. So why would Fox Family intitle this (ahem) movie 'An American Hero'.

    That Michael Jace character doesn't really look much like M.J.. But the rest of the movie should be at least worth watching. That is, if it's still on T.V. anymore now that the Fox Family channel is dead & gone.
    girardi_is_god

    When did this happen?

    When did they make a movie about MJ? Did I miss a meeting? I'm sick and tired of Jordan. All we ever hear is how great he is. All we ever see is Ahmad Rashaad and all the other pawns sucking up to him. His career numbers don't dwarf th others in his sport, like Gretzky or Marino. Yet, so many Jordan supporters suggest he is unquestionably the best player ever. What about Bird, Magic, or Bill Russell for god's sake. All that's irrelevant. I like Michael Jace. He was awesome as conflicted Julien Lowe on "The Shield". But Any movie made about the most overhyped athlete in history was bound to be crappy. Jordan is beloved, and he is never held to his mistakes. Jordan the American hero? Ask his wife...
    2taylr41

    don't be like this Mike, cause it aint easy being cheesy

    An over dramatized and partially fictional account of the life of his airness. This is one of those cheesy, before it's time, yarns that could've waited a few years until it was picked up by a director with the expertise and resources to sign believable and talented actors and to treat the story with the reverence and dignity that it will deserve in time.( see The Greatest). the fast food type environment in which this film is presented, complete with cheesy, fake NBA uniforms, Stadiums that look like your local high school gym, and just a general appearance of lookalikeness that borders on condescending, just adds to the tedious nature of the proceedings. I'll admit that the storyline, all the familiar Jordanesque tales, and following this "Michael" mimic the life of the real MJ, will hold your attention. But as you watch, you keep shaking your head at the overall quality and cheesiness of the whole affair. Don't fool with this one unless you're an MJ junkie, and even then, only if you can stand sports themed flicks with actors with little to no athletic skill.
    Homesick Alien

    Horrible

    Horrible. They changed Basketball history for dramatic purposes. So! It's not only horrible, it's a partly fictional biography. Michael Jaze makes you laugh as he tries to put down Michael Jordan.
    1TheGregUWG

    More than one goof

    There were so many goofs in this movie. I only watched it once, and I still ask myself why I did. For starters, Jordan never had an afro in college. In the pros, he did not go bald until about 1989, but they had him bald as a rookie. Also as a rookie, which was 1984, I know those shoes were from the 1995 or 1996 season. I also did not understand the locations of certain scenes. I know that the scenes of the Bulls home games were filmed in what looked like the L.A. Sports Arena, where the Clippers used to play. And what's with the zero for players with single digit numbers. For example, John Paxson was number 05. And the actors could not look less like the real people. Robin Givens as Juanita? Juanita is not that dark, and Debbie Allen does not look like his mom. Also, Phil Jackson is about 6-8 and Michael Jace was taller than the guy that played Jackson. There were so many things wrong with this movie, I'm glad the only evidence it was ever made is this website.

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    Related interests

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    Sport

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Nicole French's debut.
    • Goofs
      While playing at North Carolina, Michael Jordan is wearing late 90's era Nike tennis shoes. In college and on the 1984 Olympic team, Jordan and his teammates wore The Converse Weapon.
    • Soundtracks
      I'm Glad You're Mine
      Written by Rodney Saulsberry, Peter Jay Brown and Janet Cole Valdez

      Performed by Rodney Saulsberry

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 18, 1999 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • American Hero: The Michael Jordan Story
    • Production company
      • Saban Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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