Bio
Mike White is an American writer, producer and actor from Santa Monica, California who was a contestant on the reality television competition The Amazing Race 14, in 2009.
His team partner was his father, Mel White. They finished sixth in Season 14. Mike and Mel returned to the show for its 18th season - entitled "Unfinished Business" - in 2011.
White's writing credits range from the award-winning indie black comedies Chuck and Buck, The Good Girl and Year of the Dog, to mainstream comedy hits School of Rock, Orange County and Nacho Libre.
He won the Independent Spirit John Cassavetes Award for Chuck & Buck.
He frequently collaborates with actor–writer Jack Black on films. Together they formed the production company Black and White, which closed in 2006. White is not a fan of classic rock, but he wrote School of Rock specifically so Black could perform his own favourite rock music.
White is a vegan animal rights supporter and received an award from animal rights group PETA for Year of the Dog, which was also the third screenplay of White's to be nominated for Best Screenplay at the Independent Film Awards (he won for The Good Girl).
His TV credits include the short-lived but critically-praised Freaks and Geeks and Pasadena. He also co-created, wrote, produced and starred in the HBO comedy-drama television series Enlightened.
Amazing Race Team Profile
Mike and Mel had a pretty typical family life until Mike was 11 years old, which is when Mel told the family that he was gay.
Mel and Mike’s mother remained married until Mike and his sister, Erinn, went to college. Mel is now married to his life partner of 27 years, Gary Nixon.
Mike works as a writer, director and actor in Los Angeles. His writing credits include the feature films Nacho Libre and School of Rock, in which he also starred opposite Jack Black and Sarah Silverman, as well as the television series Pasadena.
Mike and Mel are eager to spend some quality time racing around the globe. Mike describes himself as entertaining, thoughtful and “ridiculously pale.”
These two might not be the most physical team on the Race, but they’ll surely compensate with their wit and communication skills.
Mel, a gay-rights activist, has worked as a writer, professor, filmmaker and a pastor and is eager to have a once in a lifetime experience with his youngest child. He’s confident that his people skills will give him an advantage over some of the other Racers.
He describes himself as energetic, caring and passionate and enjoys scuba diving and racquetball.
When asked who he would model his style of game play after, he pointed to Season 7 winners Uchenna and Joyce, while Mike will model his game play after the "never say die" attitude of Charla and Mirna.
Mike and Mel are well-traveled, opinionated and huge fans of the Race.