Who Is Titus Makin Jr.? Biography, Career, Age, Family, and Life Story

Titus Makin Jr. is an American actor, singer, dancer, and songwriter who has developed a career across television, film, and music. He became widely recognized for portraying David in Glee and later gained a prominent role as Jackson West in the ABC drama series The Rookie. His professional journey also includes appearances in Star-Crossed, Pretty Little Liars, and The Path. Outside acting, he creates music under the name Butterfly Ali, exploring sounds influenced by soul, R&B, funk, and hip-hop. Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, Titus grew up in a military family and developed his performance interests from an early age. This article explores Titus Makin Jr.’s biography, childhood, education, career, music, and publicly documented family background.

1. Early Life and Family Background

Titus Odell Makin Jr. was born on June 10, 1989, in Honolulu, Hawaii. His early childhood was shaped by his father’s military service, which required the family to relocate to different places. Biographical accounts describe his experiences living in various parts of the United States and Germany. Moving frequently exposed him to different communities and environments while he was growing up. Rather than following a childhood centered in one location, he experienced a more mobile family life. These early experiences form an important part of his background, although detailed information about every family member and childhood event is not extensively documented in major entertainment sources. His father’s military career is one of the publicly reported details that helps explain the family’s frequent relocations.

Titus Makin Jr. developed an interest in performing while he was still young. According to his IMDb biography, he began singing and dancing around the age of nine and participated in an elementary school talent show. He also took voice lessons during middle school, giving him an opportunity to build his musical skills before entering professional entertainment. Gymnastics became another part of his early training, and he practiced the activity for several years. These interests helped him develop a combination of vocal, physical, and performance abilities. However, he did not immediately begin acting professionally. His first significant acting experience came later, during his senior year of high school, when he took part in a school musical. This progression shows that his career developed through several different performance interests.

After graduating from Buena High School in Sierra Vista, Arizona, Titus Makin Jr. was accepted into the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts. The institution provided professional training that supported his development as a performer. While studying in New York, he also gained experience in live entertainment. IMDb reports that he worked as an acrobat and tumbler with the New York Knicks and performed as a dancer for the New York Liberty. These activities allowed him to combine athletic movement with stage performance. His educational background and practical experience helped prepare him for the demands of the entertainment industry. Training in acting can provide a foundation for character work, while live performance experience can strengthen confidence, timing, and audience awareness.

In 2009, Titus Makin Jr. moved to Los Angeles to pursue opportunities in acting. Relocating to a major entertainment center marked a new stage in his professional development. His early work included television appearances and film-related projects, allowing him to gain experience in front of cameras and within production teams. Like many actors, he built his résumé through different types of roles rather than becoming widely known through a single project immediately. His early credits include appearances in productions such as The Closer, Victorious, and Grimm. These opportunities helped establish his presence in the industry before he became associated with more recognizable recurring and leading roles.

One of the important early milestones in Titus Makin Jr.’s acting career was his appearance in the musical comedy-drama series Glee. He portrayed David, a member of the Dalton Academy Warblers, and appeared in the series between 2010 and 2012. The show combined acting, singing, and choreographed musical performances, making it relevant to his existing background in music and dance. His involvement also connected him with the show’s musical performance culture and audience. Glee helped introduce Makin to viewers who followed its ensemble cast and musical storylines. The role became a notable part of his early television résumé and contributed to his recognition before later projects.

Following his work on Glee, Titus Makin Jr. continued appearing in television productions across several genres. He played Lukas Parnell in the science-fiction drama Star-Crossed and Clark Wilkins in Pretty Little Liars. He also portrayed Caleb Matthews in the Hulu drama series The Path. In addition to these roles, his television credits include guest appearances in programs such as Castle, Grey’s Anatomy, NCIS, and FBI. These projects provided opportunities to work with different characters, storylines, and production teams. His career was not limited to one type of television program, as his credits include musical drama, mystery, science fiction, and procedural series.

Titus Makin Jr. became particularly well known for playing Jackson West in the ABC police procedural series The Rookie. He joined the show in 2018 and portrayed a young police officer working through the challenges of professional training and law enforcement. Jackson West was part of the series’ original cast, and Makin appeared during the show’s first three seasons. The role gave him an opportunity to work within a dramatic ensemble and participate in storylines involving police training, workplace relationships, and professional responsibilities. His time on The Rookie became one of the most recognizable chapters of his acting career. In 2021, reports confirmed his departure from the original cast.

Although television has been a major part of Titus Makin Jr.’s career, he has also appeared in films. His credits include A Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song, Game of Your Life, and On the Come Up. In On the Come Up, he played Trey in a musical drama centered on a young rapper pursuing her ambitions. The film provided a connection between his acting experience and his interest in music. He has also appeared in other screen productions, including Sins of the Bride. Film work offers actors different storytelling environments from television, including feature-length narratives and varied character structures. Makin’s film credits demonstrate that his professional work extends beyond episodic television.

In addition to acting, Titus Makin Jr. is a singer and songwriter who performs under the name Butterfly Ali. His music incorporates elements of soul, R&B, funk, and hip-hop. Publicly available biographies associate this stage name with his music career from around 2020 onward. His recorded songs include “Pray for ‘Em,” “5 Minutes,” “Listen to Me,” “Rose,” and “Righteous.” Music provides him with another way to express ideas and develop his artistic identity. His background in singing began during childhood, while his later songwriting and recording work expanded that interest into a professional creative activity. His music career is therefore an important part of understanding his work beyond acting.

The career of Titus Makin Jr. includes several connected performance disciplines. His early involvement in singing, dancing, gymnastics, and live entertainment helped him develop a broad set of skills. His work with professional sports dance and acrobatic teams provided experience performing before audiences, while his acting education offered additional preparation for screen roles. His appearances in musical productions such as Glee brought multiple skills together, whereas his role in The Rookie focused more heavily on dramatic storytelling. Music under the Butterfly Ali name adds another dimension to his creative work. These different activities show how his professional identity has included both screen performance and independent musical expression.

Titus Makin Jr.’s professional history includes recurring television roles, a leading television role, film appearances, and recorded music. His performances in Glee and The Rookie remain central to his public acting profile, while projects such as Star-Crossed, Pretty Little Liars, and The Path add to his television credits. His work as Butterfly Ali demonstrates an interest in developing music alongside screen acting. Entertainment careers often involve different types of projects over time, and his résumé reflects that variety. Reliable filmography records are useful for understanding his work because they identify specific productions and characters rather than relying on broad descriptions.

Frequently Asked Questions About Titus Makin Jr.

1. Who is Titus Makin Jr.?

Titus Makin Jr. is an American actor, singer, dancer, and songwriter. He is recognized for playing David in Glee and Jackson West in The Rookie. His other acting credits include Star-Crossed, Pretty Little Liars, and The Path. He also releases music under the name Butterfly Ali.

2. How old is Titus Makin Jr.?

Titus Makin Jr. was born on June 10, 1989, in Honolulu, Hawaii. He is 37 years old as of September 23, 2026. His birth date is listed in publicly available entertainment reference records.

3. What is Titus Makin Jr. famous for?

He is best known for portraying Jackson West in the ABC series The Rookie. He also gained early recognition for his recurring role as David in Glee. His career includes additional television and film appearances.

4. Does Titus Makin Jr. sing?

Yes. Titus Makin Jr. is a singer and songwriter who performs as Butterfly Ali. His music incorporates soul, R&B, funk, and hip-hop influences. Some of his recorded songs include “Pray for ‘Em,” “5 Minutes,” and “Righteous.”

5. Where did Titus Makin Jr. study acting?

He attended the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts after graduating from Buena High School in Arizona. During his time in New York, he also worked as an acrobat and tumbler for the New York Knicks and as a dancer for the New York Liberty.