Gavin White

''Gavin White'' is an American actor known for portraying younger versions of lead characters in prominent television series, most notably young Joe Reacher in the Amazon Prime Video action series Reacher and young Michael Ford in Showtime's The First Lady. ^[1] White has appeared in various television shows and films, including roles in the DC series Stargirl, the CBS military drama SEAL Team, and independent features such as Artik. ^[2] His performances often involve flashback sequences or supporting parts in high-profile streaming and network productions, contributing to a steadily growing resume in the industry. ^[1]

Early life

Birth and family background

Gavin William White is the son of actress Kari White. ^[3]

Youth and early interests

White developed an interest in acting, influenced by his family background. ^[1] He pursued athletics, particularly running. As a high school senior, he was an All League and All Region runner competing for his high school's cross country and track teams. He loves running and hopes to continue pursuing acting, film, and running in college. ^[1] No details on formal acting training or education prior to high school are documented in reliable sources.

Acting career

Early roles (2019–2020)

White began his acting career in 2019 with minor roles in independent films and a television guest appearance. He made his film debut as Boy Adam in the horror thriller Artik. ^[4] That same year, he played Pushy Boy Dirk in the comedy Santa Fake. ^[5] He also appeared as Quinn in one episode of the ABC sitcom black-ish. ^[5] In 2020, White continued to secure small parts across film and television. He portrayed Big Kid #1 in the superhero drama series Stargirl, credited as Gavin William White. ^[1] He had an uncredited role as Vlogger 2 in the Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma. ^[1] White played Corey in the web series Quarantwinned and its companion special A Very Quarantwinned Christmas. ^[6] He also appeared as Brett Coleson in the short film Rumor. ^[7] These early credits primarily consisted of guest spots and minor roles, reflecting the beginning stages of his professional acting work.

Breakthrough and recurring roles (2021–2022)

In 2021, White secured a recurring role as Michael Hayes (also known as Mikey Hayes) in the CBS military drama series SEAL Team, appearing in five episodes through 2024. ^[1] This multi-episode arc marked his shift toward more sustained television work following his initial guest spots. ^[1] White's profile rose significantly in 2022 with several prominent roles across major networks and streaming platforms. ^[1] His breakthrough came portraying Young Joe Reacher in six episodes of the Amazon Prime Video action series Reacher, depicting the younger version of the lead character in flashbacks during the first season. ^[1] This part in the widely viewed adaptation of Lee Child's novels established him as a recognizable young performer in a high-profile streaming series. ^[3] That same year, he played Young Michael Ford in one episode of Showtime's limited series The First Lady, appearing alongside Michelle Pfeiffer. ^[3] He also guest-starred as Scooter in one episode of The CW's Walker and took the title role of Charlie in the 2022 project Charlie. ^[1] These appearances collectively highlighted his growing presence in recurring and guest capacities on prominent shows. ^[1]

Recent and upcoming projects (2023–present)

Building on his earlier recognition from roles such as in Reacher, Gavin White has continued his acting career with recurring appearances in the CBS/Paramount+ series SEAL Team, portraying Michael Hayes (also credited as Mikey Hayes) across five episodes total, with the remaining episodes airing in 2023 and 2024.^[1] This sustained role in the long-running military drama has kept him active in high-profile television during this period.^[1] For 2025, White is set to appear in the TV series Monster as George Schley in a single episode.^[1] He is also slated to star in The Stranger in My Home as Callum Truby.^[1] These upcoming television projects continue his work in episodic formats.^[1] In addition to his television credits, White has been involved in short films, including Still Morning, where he plays Trevor Merrin (completed), and Channel Surfing with a Ghost, where he portrays Gavin (in post-production).^[1] His recent and upcoming work reflects a measured pace with a limited number of projects since 2023, consistent with an ongoing career in its early stages.^[1]

Personal life

Competitive running

Gavin White competed in high school cross country and track while attending Mountain Vista High School in Highlands Ranch, Colorado.^[8][1] He earned All League and All Region honors as a runner for his school's teams.^[8][1] He continued competitive distance running at the collegiate level at Chapman University, where he is a member of the cross country and track teams (junior as of 2025). He has set a school record in the 8k and led in recent meets.^[8][9][10] These athletic achievements highlight his dedication to competitive distance running from high school onward.

Education and future aspirations

Gavin White attended Mountain Vista High School in Colorado.^[8] As a senior, he expressed hope to continue pursuing his passion for acting and film alongside his love of running at the college level.^[3] He enrolled at Chapman University in 2023 as part of the Class of 2027, majoring in Screen Acting. As of 2025, he is a junior at the university and continues to balance his studies with competitive athletics.^[8][11]