Mekhi Thira Phifer Jr. is the younger son of actor Mekhi Phifer, known for ER, 8 Mile, and the Divergent films. Born in Los Angeles in 2007, he appeared at occasional family events as a child but has remained largely outside the spotlight. His family background is documented, while reliable information about his education, career, and personal life remains limited.
Quick Bio of Mekhi Thira Phifer Jr.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Mekhi Thira Phifer Jr. |
| Known As | Mekhi Phifer Jr. |
| Date of Birth | October 30, 2007 |
| Age | 18 years old (as of October 2026) |
| Birthplace | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Father | Mekhi Phifer (American actor) |
| Mother | Oni Souratha (Onanong Souratha) |
| Siblings | Omikaye Phifer (older paternal half-brother) |
| Known For | Being the younger son of actor Mekhi Phifer |
| Education | Not publicly confirmed |
| Profession | Not publicly confirmed |
| Relationship Status | Not publicly confirmed |
| Net Worth | Not publicly confirmed |
Who Is Mekhi Thira Phifer Jr?
Born on October 30, 2007, Mekhi Jr. is the son of Phifer and his then-fiancée, Oni Souratha. As of October 26, 2026, he is 18 years old and will turn 19 on October 30. His older paternal half-brother, Omikaye Phifer, is the son of Phifer and actress Malinda Williams.
His full name closely matches his father’s, who is also identified as Mekhi Thira Phifer. That similarity can blur online search results: the elder Phifer’s acting credits and awards should not be mistaken for his son’s achievements.
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His Birth and Early Years
Contemporary reports in People and TV Guide confirm that Mekhi Jr. was born in Los Angeles at 6:47 a.m., weighing 5 pounds, 4 ounces. His father discussed the arrival during an ER-related press event on October 30, 2007, and spoke about returning to the hospital to be with Souratha and their baby. A November 29, 2007, Los Angeles Times feature also identified the newborn by his full name.
An early public appearance came on October 25, 2009, when he joined his parents at the 17th Annual Camp Ronald McDonald Family Halloween Carnival, held on the Universal Studios backlot in Los Angeles. In October 2013, BCK Online reported another family outing: Mekhi Phifer took both sons to a pumpkin patch in West Hollywood.
These photographs document moments of childhood, not a public career or a complete account of his upbringing.
His Father: Actor Mekhi Phifer
Born in New York City on December 29, 1974, Mekhi Phifer made his film breakthrough as Ronald “Strike” Dunham in Spike Lee’s Clockers (1995). He went on to appear in Soul Food (1997), O (2001), and 8 Mile (2002), playing Future opposite Eminem in the last film.
On television, Phifer portrayed Dr. Gregory Pratt in NBC’s ER from 2002 to 2008. He later played Max in the Divergent films. This established career explains much of the public interest in his family, although little of the younger Phifer’s own life has been reported.
What He Has Said About Fatherhood
During a September 23, 2008, appearance on The Bonnie Hunt Show, Phifer discussed raising his children. As reported by People on September 25, he described fatherhood as a privilege and said his younger son, then about 10 months old, was learning to crawl and stand.
He also spoke about camping, sports, and family trips to Legoland, and credited his mother, Rhoda Phifer, with shaping his approach to parenting. Those comments reveal his values as a father, not necessarily the interests or experiences of his son later in life.
His Mother: Oni Souratha
Oni Souratha, sometimes credited as Onanong Souratha, was publicly identified as Phifer’s fiancée during her pregnancy. Editorial photo captions have described her as a director and swimwear designer, while an IMDb listing associates the longer form of her name with film production.
Her present-day professional and personal circumstances are not reliably documented. Although she appeared publicly alongside Phifer during their relationship, she has not maintained the same level of media visibility as the actor.
How Did His Parents Meet?
No dependable published account establishes where or when Phifer and Souratha first met, when they began dating, or when they became engaged. Their relationship was public by June 18, 2007, when People reported that they were expecting a boy—Phifer’s second son and their first child together. The baby was initially expected in November but arrived on October 30.
They appeared with their son at the 2009 Halloween carnival. By 2013, accounts described Souratha as Phifer’s former partner, but the date and circumstances of their separation remain unclear. The available reporting does not firmly establish that they ever married.
His Brother and Blended Family
Mekhi Jr.’s older half-brother, Omikaye Phifer, was born during his father’s previous marriage to actress Malinda Williams. The couple later divorced. Omikaye was reported to be about eight when Mekhi Jr. was born; their pumpkin patch outing in 2013 is one of the few documented public appearances involving both boys.
On March 30, 2013, Mekhi Phifer married Reshelet Barnes at the Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills. Coverage by Us Weekly, ABC News, and the Los Angeles Times placed attendance at approximately 100 guests. One of the actor’s sons reportedly walked down the aisle with the family Chihuahua, but the Los Angeles Times could not confirm which son it was.
Barnes became Mekhi Jr.’s stepmother through the marriage. His private relationships with his brother and stepmother, including how often they see one another, have not been publicly established.
Education, Career, and Personal Life
There are no independently confirmed details about Mekhi Jr.’s schools, graduation, or college enrollment. Nor have reliable sources established a professional occupation, acting credits, music projects, business ventures, or awards in his name. His father’s extensive screen record should not be treated as evidence of a career for the younger Phifer.
His romantic relationship status, whether he has children, current residence, and personal social media presence are likewise unverified. A lack of public records does not prove that he has never pursued creative work or a relationship; it means these details cannot responsibly be stated as fact.
What Is Mekhi Thira Phifer Jr.’s Net Worth?
No independently verified figure exists for his net worth. Amounts circulated on celebrity websites are often unofficial estimates without documented assets, earnings, or a clear method of calculation.
His father’s finances cannot be used to calculate his own wealth. Without reliable information about the younger Phifer’s professional activities or personal assets, assigning a specific dollar amount would be speculative.
Where Is Mekhi Thira Phifer Jr. Today?
Public updates about Mekhi Jr. have been sparse since childhood. In October 2020, AmoMama reported on a photograph his father shared after an occasion connected with Netflix’s Sneakerheads, describing time spent together. That older social media report offers a limited glimpse of their relationship, not evidence of where the younger Phifer lives or what he does today.
His father has remained active professionally. In January 2026, People interviewed the elder Phifer about his acting career and Lifetime project Be Happy, but the story offered no substantive new information about his son.
There is also no independently verified public statement from Mekhi Jr. explaining his current interests or future plans. His relatively limited public profile makes it difficult to establish how he spends his time as a young adult.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mekhi Thira Phifer Jr?
Mekhi Thira Phifer Jr. is the younger son of American actor Mekhi Phifer and Oni Souratha. He is known primarily through his father’s Hollywood career.
How old is Mekhi Thira Phifer Jr?
He was born on October 30, 2007, in Los Angeles, California. As of October 2026, he is 18 years old.
Who is Mekhi Thira Phifer Jr’s mother?
His mother is Oni Souratha, also known as Onanong Souratha, who was engaged to actor Mekhi Phifer when their son was born in 2007.
Does Mekhi Thira Phifer Jr have any siblings?
Yes. He has an older paternal half-brother, Omikaye Phifer, whose parents are Mekhi Phifer and actress Malinda Williams.
What does Mekhi Thira Phifer Jr do for a living?
His current occupation has not been publicly confirmed. There are no independently verified professional acting credits or career details attributed to him.
Conclusion
Mekhi Thira Phifer Jr. was born into a family familiar to film and television audiences, but most of the facts known about him concern his birth and early years. His parents, older brother, and a handful of family appearances are documented, alongside his father’s comments about raising children.
Beyond that record, his adult education, work, relationships, and finances remain private or unconfirmed. His biography is best understood through those verified details, without confusing his life with his father’s Hollywood career.
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