A full breakdown of Jonathan Majors training, biography, and stats
With the film Magazine Dreams releasing in the United States, Jonathan Majors is a name that is gaining some significant popularity in the fitness space, as he showed off a muscular and shredded physique in the film that starred him and the infamous Mike O’Hearn.
But who exactly is Jonathan Majors? Well, our team at Generation Iron is going to break it down.
| Full Name: Jonathan Majors | ||
| Weight | Height | Date Of Birth |
| 180-202 lbs. | 6’0” | 09/07/1989 |
| Profession | Era | Nationality |
| Actor | 2010s, 2020s | American |
Early Life and Education
Jonathan Majors was born on Vandenberg Air Force Base in Lompoc, California, to a military family. After his father, a U.S. Air Force officer, left the family when Majors was a child, his mother raised him and his two siblings in Cedar Hill, Texas, just outside Dallas. Growing up, Majors faced a number of personal struggles, including periods of homelessness and encounters with the juvenile justice system. These challenges shaped his understanding of hardship, identity, and masculinity — themes that would later influence his work as an actor.
He discovered acting in high school and pursued it seriously, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. He continued his studies at Yale School of Drama, where he graduated with a Master of Fine Arts in 2016. While at Yale, Majors was cast in his first on-screen role in the ABC miniseries When We Rise (2017), just before graduation.
Jonathan Majors’ Career Breakthrough and Rise to Prominence
Majors’ breakout role came in Joe Talbot’s critically acclaimed indie film The Last Black Man in San Francisco (2019). His portrayal of Montgomery Allen, a soft-spoken playwright with emotional depth and quiet resilience, earned him widespread praise. The film premiered at Sundance and established him as a distinctive new voice in American acting.
From there, Majors’ career accelerated quickly, landing him roles that spanned genres and challenged traditional archetypes.
Notable Roles and Achievements
- Lovecraft Country (HBO, 2020): Majors starred as Atticus “Tic” Freeman in the supernatural drama series, which explored race, horror, and historical trauma. His commanding lead performance earned him an Emmy nomination and brought him mainstream attention.
- Da 5 Bloods (2020): Directed by Spike Lee, this Netflix war drama featured Majors as David, the son of a Vietnam veteran. He held his own alongside screen veterans like Delroy Lindo.
- The Harder They Fall (2021): In this stylized Black Western, Majors played outlaw Nat Love opposite Idris Elba. The film reimagined real-life historical Black cowboys and was praised for its bold style and all-Black cast.
- Devotion (2022): In this biographical war drama, Majors portrayed Jesse L. Brown, the first Black U.S. Navy aviator. The film was notable for its emotional depth and historical accuracy, showcasing Majors’ ability to handle physically and emotionally demanding roles.
- Marvel Cinematic Universe – Kang the Conqueror: Majors made his MCU debut as the enigmatic “He Who Remains” in Loki (2021) and reprised the character in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023). He was initially slated to be a central villain in upcoming phases of the franchise, but legal issues in 2023 disrupted those plans.
Magazine Dreams (2023)
Magazine Dreams marked perhaps Majors’ most transformative performance to date, and it is gaining popularity due to U.S. release in 2025. Premiering at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2023, the film starred Majors as Killian Maddox, a socially isolated amateur bodybuilder struggling with inner demons, physical pain, and a desire for recognition.
The film, directed by Elijah Bynum (Hot Summer Nights), is an intense psychological drama that explores themes of masculinity, mental illness, body dysmorphia, and fame. Majors underwent extreme physical training to embody Killian, gaining significant muscle mass and adopting the mindset of someone driven to extremes.
His performance was hailed as haunting, vulnerable, and physically raw, drawing early Oscar buzz. Critics compared the role to Robert De Niro in Raging Bull and Joaquin Phoenix in Joker. The film was acquired by Searchlight Pictures for release, but its distribution was delayed indefinitely due to the actor’s legal issues.
Jonathan Majors’ Workout Routine
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Piggybacking off of the Magazine Dreams topic, many people wonder how he got that physique. Well, Generation Iron’s own Vlad Yudin and Edwin Mejia Jr. sat down with Majors to discuss his workout regimen.
Back and Biceps
| Exercises | Sets | Reps |
| Warm-Up — Jogging | 1 | 10-20 minutes |
| Straight Arm Lat Pulldowns | 3 | 10 |
| Tri-Set — Close Grip Pull Ups, Leg Raises, & Oblique Knee Raises | 3 | 10, 8-10, 8 |
| Superset — Single Arm Dumbbell Rows & Dumbbell Shrugs | 3 | 12 |
Chest and Triceps
| Exercises | Sets | Reps |
| Warm-Up — Jogging | 1 | 10-20 minutes |
| Incline Dumbbell Bench Presses | 3 | 10 |
| Tri-Set — Chest Dips, Cable Tricep Pushdowns, & Diamond Push Ups | 3 | 10, 8-10, 20 |
| Superset — Dumbbell Chest Flys & Dumbbell Overhead Extensions | 3 | 12 |
Shoulders
| Exercises | Sets | Reps |
| Warm-Up — Jogging | 1 | 10-20 minutes |
| Barbell Overhead Presses | 3 | 12 |
| Tri-Set — Lateral Raises, Front Raises, & Rear Lateral Raises | 4 | 12 |
| Tri-Set — Handstand Pushups, Sit-Ups Twists, & Russian Twists | 3 | 10, 20, 20 |
| Superset — Kettlebell Swings & Dumbbell Front Raises | 3 | 10, 12 |
Legs
| Exercises | Sets | Reps |
| Warm-Up — Jogging | 1 | 10-20 minutes |
| Back Squats | 3 | 10 |
| Tri-Set — Leg Presses, Machine Leg Press Calf Raises, & Seated Calf Raises | 3 | 10, 8-10, 8 |
| Superset — Weighted Lunges & Cable Pull-Throughs | 3 | 10-12, 12 |
Arms
| Exercises | Sets | Reps |
| Warm-Up — Jogging | 1 | 10-20 minutes |
| Preacher Curls | 3 | 10 |
| Barbell Curls | 3 | 12 |
| Dumbbell Curls | 3 | 12 |
| Superset — Dumbbell Curl to Press & Half Burpees | 3 | 10-15, 10 |
The Legal Issues and Fallout of Jonathan Majors
In March 2023, Jonathan Majors was arrested in New York City and later charged with misdemeanor assault and harassment involving a domestic dispute with then-girlfriend Grace Jabbari. Despite initial denials from his legal team and character references in his defense, he was found guilty in December 2023 of reckless assault and harassment.
The conviction led to immediate consequences for his career. He was dropped by his talent agency (Entertainment 360) and publicist, removed from several endorsement deals, and effectively ousted from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The future of his previously announced projects remains uncertain, including the planned Avengers: The Kang Dynasty.
Personal Life
Jonathan Majors has a daughter and has occasionally spoken about fatherhood, describing it as one of his most grounding responsibilities. He has a deep interest in literature, philosophy, and theater, often referencing Shakespeare, August Wilson, and James Baldwin as artistic inspirations. Known for his intense dedication to craft, Majors often immerses himself deeply into roles, undergoing rigorous preparation both physically and emotionally.
Jonathan Majors Wrap Up
Jonathan Majors is a complex figure in contemporary Hollywood — a critically acclaimed actor whose meteoric rise was halted by personal and legal turmoil. At his best, he has been celebrated for challenging Hollywood’s limited portrayals of Black masculinity, taking on roles of emotional vulnerability, power, and internal conflict.
While his professional future is uncertain following the 2023 conviction, his body of work remains a powerful testament to his talent and range. Whether Majors will return to mainstream cinema or take a different path remains to be seen, but his influence on modern film, particularly through roles like Magazine Dreams, has already left a lasting mark.
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