Titus Odell Makin Jr. (born June 10, 1989), also known by his musical stage name Butterfly Ali, is an American actor, singer, dancer, and songwriter. He is best known for his role as Jackson West in the ABC police procedural television series The Rookie (2018–2021). He also portrayed characters in television series such as David in Glee (2010–2012), Lukas Parnell in Star-Crossed (2014), Clark Wilkins in Pretty Little Liars (2015), and Caleb Matthews in The Path (2018). Additionally, Makin also played Trey in the 2021 feature film On the Come Up. Furthermore, he is a singer and songwriter, blending elements of soul, R&B, funk, and hip hop in his work.
Early life and education Titus Makin Jr. was born on June 10, 1989, in Honolulu, Hawaii, where he lived for the first three years of his life. His father was a soldier and his family moved around the United States, including stops in Colorado and Arizona, as well as in Germany. He also has a sister. Growing up, Makin took up sports, singing and performing, and practiced 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 the cheerleading teams of the New York Knicks and New York Liberty.
Acting career In 2009, Makin moved to Los Angeles, where he began acting in films and television series. From 2010 to 2012, he portrayed David, a recurring character 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, Makin portrayed Lukas Parnell in The CW science fiction romantic teen drama series Star-Crossed (2014), Clark Wilkins in the Freeform mystery teen drama series Pretty Little Liars (2015), and Caleb Matthews in the Hulu drama series The Path (2018). From 2018 to 2021, he also had the leading role of Jackson West in the first three seasons of the ABC police procedural television series The Rookie. Furthermore, he 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, Makin portrayed Trey in the Paramount+ musical drama feature film On the Come Up.
Musical career Makin is also a singer and songwriter, blending elements of soul, R&B, funk, and hip hop, among others. Since 2020, he has performed 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".
Personal life Makin identifies as Christian.
Filmography Films Year Title Role Notes2009 Ticked Jamie Short film Tran-si-tions Subway boyfriend Short film 2010 Taking a Stand Shawn Short film2011 A Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song Mickey O'Malley Direct-to-video film Game of Your Life Zach Taylor Direct-to-video filmGlee: The 3D Concert Movie DavidDocumentary 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 Jerry Butterfly Short film2022 Pool Service, Inc. Xavier Short film On the Come Up Trey Feature 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 episodes2011 The Closer Lewis Rivers Episode: "Necessary Evil" (no. 99) Victorious Dancer 2 episodes2012 Grimm Brandon Kingston Episode: "The Other Side" (no. 30) Castle Tim Cabot Episode: "Secret Santa" (no. 90) 2013–2014 Buffering Roger Murtaugh 2 episodes2014 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 a 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 episodes2019 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
External links Titus Makin Jr. at IMDb