Raleigh Native, Actor Jason Bobbitt: From Humble Beginnings to Rising Star

RALEIGH – Jason Bobbitt, a Raleigh native whose pretty-boy charm, with a  matching personality, looks to reach out and give back to his hometown, by inspiring others to achieve anything they put their minds to and commit to it.

Before he was known as Chef Mike from Tyler Perry’s “Love Thy Neighbor” on the OWN network from 2013-17, Bobbitt was a young “kid who does wonders,” according to his late mother Phyllis Bobbitt, who passed away in 2015. Born on Sunday, February 5, 1989, Jason grew up in the Halifax Court Housing Projects in the Southside of Raleigh. At an early age, he developed a talent for singing, acting, dancing, and athletics.

Thanks to the redevelopment of Halifax Court, he relocated to Garner, NC with his mother at the age of eleven. He was able to achieve his aspirations of becoming an athlete,  playing football at both North Garner Middle School and Garner Magnet High School, where he graduated in 2007.

Bobbitt found acting to be his calling once he set foot on the campus of North Carolina Central University (NCCU) that fall – majoring in theatre. While Jason didn’t finish, he still followed his dream of becoming an actor by relocating to Atlanta in the summer of 2012. This was when he expanded his talents leading to him being cast in various roles. 

Jason is a big fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and his favorite athlete is Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James. Plus, he also has excellent taste in fashion, as he was involved in the Bon Vivant Fashion Society during his time at NCCU.

“It feels amazing,” the Raleigh native reflected upon being asked how his humble beginnings led him to great opportunities. He added, “Just to grow up to know that a lot of people can’t make it out, being trapped by their circumstances, which they have no idea that they can make it out. So, it feels great and I feel humbled and blessed to be the chosen one out of the Southside of Raleigh!”

Morris Chestnut – who starred in movies such as Boyz N The Hood, G. I. Jane, Like Mike, Best Man, and Heist – was his inspiration for becoming an actor. Bobbitt explained, “I saw him in a lot of movies and being a dark-skinned man and knowing that ‘Yo! I can do that same thing if I can work hard!’ Also, everybody has told me that I was a “pretty boy”-type vibe. So, just seeing him just inspired me to become an actor.”

In addition to Tyler Perry’s “Love Thy Neighbor,” Bobbitt has been involved in other projects such as “Saints and Sinners” on BOUNCE TV.  He also has shared a screen with Tisha Campbell – who played Gina from the 1992-97 FOX-TV sitcom “Martin” – on a project called “Snap.” Bobbitt describes “Snap” as being an upcoming show with an all-Black cast. He suggests, “Make sure everybody checks that out!” Also, he added, “It’s very fortunate to be in a scene with her. Watching her on “Martin” growing up was very inspiring. Being in the same vicinity as she lets me know that I’m on the right path.”

To add to his reflections on growing up in the Halifax Court Housing Projects, Bobbitt claims, “I think growing up there and reflecting on it and saying “Yo! I can do anything!” He added, “Coming from the housing projects where you are confined to being only familiar with the surroundings, to this Big World with so many dreams and aspirations. So, it’s kind of like coming from that stereotypical ‘Coming from Nothing.’ I feel like everything that I’m doing right now is up because I came from the bottom and came from nothing. So, that’s kind of like how I reflect on coming from the Southside of Raleigh.”

His influences growing up were his mother – Phyllis Bobbitt, known as “Big Red” and his friend “Big Rod” from Halifax Court Housing Projects. Bobbitt was a part of the “Building Together” youth program, where they took kids growing up in poverty and gave them a positive role model known as “partners” who would be their mentors. Bobbitt adds that the “Building Together” program was also one of his positive influences.

On being an actor, Bobbitt’s advice is “Do your homework, research, and know what you’re getting yourself into.” Plus, he points out, “You have to know that it’s going to be a long haul. You will not be a famous actor on TV/film overnight. You have to put in the work. You may have to work as an extra, which is part of the process. Knowing that it’s part of the process will help you pursue your dreams.”

Bobbitt says, “I aspire to become a producer owning my own production company.”