Titus Makin Jr.
Titus Makin Jr. | |
|---|---|
Makin in 2014 | |
| Born | June 10, 1989 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States |
| Other names |
|
| Education | New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instrument | Vocals |
Titus Odell Makin Jr. (born June 10, 1989), also known by his musical stage name Butterfly Ali, is an American television actor, singer, dancer, and songwriter. He is best known for his role of Jackson West in ABC police procedural television series The Rookie (2018–2021). He also portrayed characters television series such as David in series Glee (2010–2012), Lukas Parnell in Star-Crossed (2014), Clark Wilkins in Pretty Little Liars (2015), and Caleb Matthews in The Path (2018). Makin also played Trey in 2021 feature film On the Come Up. He is also a singer and songwriter, creating in style blending elements of soul, R&B, funk, and hip hop.
Early life and education
Titus Makin Jr. was born on June 10, 1989 in Honolulu, Hawaii, United States, where he lived for the first three years of his life.[1] His father was a soldier and, his family moved around the United States, including Colorado, and Arizona, as well as Germany.[2] He also has a sister. Growing up, Makin took up sports, singing and performing, and practised gymnastics and dance. He began acting in high school, performing in school musicals, and after graduating, he attended the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts. While there, he also became an acrobat and dancer for cheerleading teams of New York Knicks and New York Liberty.[1][2]
Acting career
In 2009, Makin moved to Los Angeles in California, where he begun acting in films and television series.[1][2] From 2010 to 2012, Makin portrayed recurring character of David in the Fox musical comedy drama Glee, and in 2011, he played Mickey O'Malley in the direct-to-video teen comedy musical film A Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song. Later, he also portrayed Lukas Parnell in The CW science fiction romantic teen drama series Star-Crossed (2014), Clark Wilkins in Freeform mystery teen drama series Pretty Little Liars (2015), and Caleb Matthews in Hulu drama series The Path (2018).[1][2][3] From 2018 to 2021, Makin also had a leading role of Jackson West in the first three seasons of the ABC police procedural television series The Rookie.[4][5] Makin also appeared in television series such as The Closer (2011), Grimm (2012), Castle (2013), Grey's Anatomy (2014), NCIS (2014), FBI (2019), and NCIS: Hawaiʻi (2021). In 2022, he portrayed Trey in Paramount+ musical drama feature film On the Come Up.[6]
Musical career
Titus is also a singer and songwriter, creating in style blending elements of soul, R&B, funk, and Hip hop, among others. Since 2020, he performs under the stage name Butterfly Ali, in homage to Muhammad Ali. His singles include "Pray for 'Em", "5 Minutes", "Listen to Me", "Rose", and "Righteous".[1][3][7][8]
Private life
Makin identifies as Christian.[3]
Filmography
Films
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Ticked | Jamie | Short film |
| Tran-si-tions | Subway boyfriend | Short film | |
| 2010 | Taking a Stand | Shawn | Short film |
| 2011 | A Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song | Mickey O'Malley | Direct-to-video film |
| Game of Your Life | Zach Taylor | Direct-to-video film | |
| Glee: The 3D Concert Movie | David | Documentary film | |
| Himself | |||
| 2013 | So This Is Christmas | Jason | Direct-to-video film |
| 2017 | Once Upon a Date | Charlie | Television series |
| 2018 | Marital Bliss | Rick | Short film |
| 2021 | Aliens on Halloween | Short film | Jerry Butterfly |
| 2021 | On the Come Up | Trey | Feature film |
| 2022 | Pool Service, Inc. | Xavier | Short film |
| 2024 | Sins of the Bride | Jack Benson | Feature film |
Television series
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Celebrity Ghost Stories | Rob's brother | Episode no. 9 |
| 2010–2012 | Glee | David | Recurring role; 10 episodes |
| 2011 | The Closer | Lewis Rivers | Episode: "Necessary Evil" (no. 99) |
| Victorious | Dancer | 2 episodes | |
| 2012 | Grimm | Brandon Kingston | Episode: "The Other Side" (no. 30) |
| Castle | Tim Cabot | Episode: "Secret Santa" (no. 90) | |
| 2013–2014 | Buffering | Roger Murtaugh | 2 episodes |
| 2014 | Grey's Anatomy | Rick Schultz | Episode: "Risk" (no. 228) |
| NCIS | Thomas Burke | Episode: "Alleged" (no. 255) | |
| Perception | Charlie Clark | Episode: "Brotherhood" (no. 22) | |
| Star-Crossed | Lukas Parnell | Leading role; 10 episodes | |
| 2015 | Key & Peele | Young man at bar | Episode: "A Cappella Club" (no. 45) |
| NCIS: New Orleans | Officer Boone | Episode: "I Do" (no. 27) | |
| Pretty Little Liars | Clark Wilkins | Recurring role; 5 episodes | |
| 2018 | The Path | Caleb Matthews | Recurring role; 11 episodes |
| 2018–2021 | The Rookie | Jackson West | Leading role; 54 episodes |
| 2019 | FBI | Art Perkins | Episode: "What Lies Beneath" (no. 20) |
| Millennials: The Musical | Elise | Webseries; 3 episodes | |
| DJ Downward Dog | |||
| 2020 | Wayward Guide for the Untrained Eye | Silas Torsen | Recurring role; webseries; 10 episodes |
| 2021 | NCIS: Hawaiʻi | Adam Parish | Episode: "The Tourist" (no. 6) |
References
- ^ a b c d e Jessica Hrovat (February 25, 2020). "Titus Makin is feeling 'Righteous' as Butterfly Ali". americansongwriter.com. Retrieved May 11, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Shawn Cabbagestalk (April 4, 2021). "Titus Makin talks ABC's 'The Rookie' with WJBF's Shawn Cabbagestalk". wjbf.com. Retrieved 2025-06-22.
- ^ a b c Jason Price (January 28, 2014). "Titus Makin, Jr. discusses his career, role on 'Star-Crossed,' music and more!". iconvsicon.com. Retrieved May 11, 2025.
- ^ Denise Petski (February 15, 2018). "'The Rookie' ABC casts Titus Makin; Xavier De Guzman in 'Take Two'". deadline.com.
- ^ Denise Petski (September 27, 2021). "'The Rookie' bids farewell to original cast member". deadline.com.
- ^ Stephanie Zacharek (September 23, 2022). "A teenage rapper finds her own way to the top in On the Come Up". time.com.
- ^ JK Turner (April 14, 2020). "Witness the metamorphosis of Butterfly Ali". andscape.com.
- ^ Mitch Mosk (June 11, 2021). "'Honest, Expressive, & Funky': Butterfly Ali Soars in 'Preacher's Kid,' His Energizing Debut EP". atwoodmagazine.com.