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Article Summary
Marvin Jones III, also known by his stage name Krondon, is an American actor and rapper who has carved a unique path from the underground hip-hop scene to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Born in Los Angeles in 1976, he co-founded the influential rap group Strong Arm Steady before transitioning to acting. He gained recognition as the crime boss Tobias Whale on The CW’s Black Lightning and voiced the villain Tombstone in the Oscar-winning animated film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. In 2026, he makes his live-action Marvel debut, reprising Tombstone in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and is set to voice the character again in Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse. With his distinctive albino appearance and commanding presence, Jones has become one of the most memorable character actors in superhero entertainment. His net worth has not been publicly confirmed.
Table of Contents
- Early Life and Background
- Music Career
- Acting Career
- Major Achievements
- Personal Life
- Latest News
- Upcoming Projects and Movies
- Career Timeline
- Filmography
- FAQs
- Key Takeaways
- Conclusion
Quick Facts Table
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Marvin Jones III |
| Stage Name | Krondon |
| Born | 9 July 1976 |
| Birthplace | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Age | 50 (as of 2026) |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Occupation | Actor, Rapper, Songwriter |
| Years Active | 2003–present |
| Notable Roles | Tobias Whale (Black Lightning), Tombstone (Spider-Verse) |
| Net Worth | Not publicly confirmed |
Full Biography
Early Life and Background
Marvin Jones III was born on 9 July 1976 in Los Angeles, California. He was raised in the South Central neighborhood of Los Angeles. Jones is an African American with albinism, a condition that affects pigmentation in the skin, hair, and eyes. His distinctive appearance has become a defining feature of his on-screen presence, often typecasting him as villains and albino characters.
Growing up in South Central Los Angeles, Jones developed a passion for music and storytelling from a young age. He was exposed to the vibrant hip-hop culture of the West Coast, which would later shape his career as a rapper.
Music Career
Strong Arm Steady
Jones began his music career under the stage name Krondon. In 2003, he co-founded the hip-hop group Strong Arm Steady alongside rappers Phil Da Agony and Mitchy Slick. The group became a respected force in the underground hip-hop scene, known for their gritty West Coast sound and socially conscious lyrics.
Strong Arm Steady released their debut album Deep Hearted in 2007, followed by the conceptual album In Search of Stoney Jackson in 2010 and Arms & Hammers in 2011. The group also released several EPs, including Members Only and collaborations with producers Statik Selektah and Oh No.
Solo Work
In 2013, Krondon released his debut solo album, Everything’s Nothing, which featured standout tracks like “7 Eleven” and “Lean On Me.” The album captured the essence of West Coast hip-hop with its “feel good” records.
Jones also collaborated with Shafiq Husayn of Sa-Ra Creative Partners under the group name White Boiz, releasing the 2015 album Neighborhood Wonderful on Stones Throw Records.
Beyond his own recordings, Jones has written for a number of prominent artists, including Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, and Xzibit.
Acting Career
Early Roles
Jones made his acting debut in 2011 with a guest appearance on the NBC legal dramedy Harry’s Law, playing Castor Mukasa in the episode “American Dreams.” The role marked the beginning of his transition from music to acting.
Black Lightning
Jones’s breakthrough role came in 2018 when he was cast as Tobias Whale, the primary antagonist of The CW’s superhero series Black Lightning. Tobias Whale is a crime boss who serves as the archnemesis of the titular hero. Jones portrayed the character as a series regular from 2018 to 2021, earning praise for his menacing and layered performance.
The Spider-Verse
In 2018, Jones voiced the villain Tombstone in the Oscar-winning animated film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. The film was a critical and commercial success, winning the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. Jones’s deep, commanding voice brought the character to life, and he became a fan favorite.
Other Television and Film Roles
Jones has appeared in a variety of other television series. In 2020, he appeared in an episode of Into the Dark titled “The Current Occupant.” In 2024, he had a recurring role as Louis-036 in the Paramount+ series Halo and appeared in an episode of The Equalizer.
He has also appeared in the 2025 action film Shadow Force and had roles in All American: Homecoming and Criminal.
Major Achievements
Jones’s career is marked by his successful transition from underground hip-hop to mainstream acting. His portrayal of Tobias Whale on Black Lightning established him as a formidable screen presence, while his voice work as Tombstone in the Spider-Verse franchise connected him to one of the most celebrated animated franchises of all time.
In 2026, Jones achieves a major milestone by becoming one of the few actors to portray the same Marvel character in both animated and live-action formats. He voices Tombstone in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and its upcoming sequel while also playing the character in live action in Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
Jones’s albinism has also made him a distinctive figure in entertainment, and he has become a visible representation of diversity in superhero media.
Personal Life
Jones is known to be a private individual when it comes to his personal life. As of 2026, he has not publicly disclosed information about his spouse or romantic relationships. Some sources mention that he has a daughter named Ella, but this has not been officially confirmed by Jones himself. He is active on Instagram and maintains an official website.
Latest News
As of July 2026, Marvin Jones III is preparing for one of the biggest moments of his career. He stars as Tombstone in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which swings into theaters on 31 July 2026. The film marks his live-action debut as the character, having previously voiced the role in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, the film features an all-star cast including Tom Holland as Spider-Man, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, Jon Bernthal, Michael Mando, and Mark Ruffalo. Jones’s Tombstone is one of several villains appearing in the film, alongside Scorpion, Boomerang, and Tarantula.
Jones is also set to reprise his voice role as Tombstone in Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, scheduled for release on 25 June 2027.
Upcoming Projects and Movies
| Project | Role | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| Spider-Man: Brand New Day | Lonnie Lincoln / Tombstone | 31 July 2026 |
| Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse | Tombstone (voice) | 25 June 2027 |
| Gringo Champion | TBA | TBA |
| Criminal | TBA | TBA |
Jones is also attached to Criminal, an Amazon series, and the indie feature Gringo Champion. He has appeared in Shadow Force (2025).
Career Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1976 | Born in Los Angeles, California |
| 2003 | Co-founded hip-hop group Strong Arm Steady |
| 2011 | Acting debut in Harry’s Law |
| 2013 | Released solo album Everything’s Nothing |
| 2018 | Cast as Tobias Whale in Black Lightning; voiced Tombstone in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse |
| 2018-2021 | Series regular on Black Lightning |
| 2024 | Recurring role in Halo; appeared in The Equalizer |
| 2025 | Appeared in Shadow Force |
| 2026 | Makes live-action debut as Tombstone in Spider-Man: Brand New Day |
| 2027 | Set to voice Tombstone in Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse |
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Harry’s Law | Castor Mukasa | TV episode |
| 2013 | Our Vinyl Weighs a Ton: This Is Stones Throw Records | Himself | Documentary |
| 2018 | Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse | Tombstone (voice) | Feature film |
| 2018-2021 | Black Lightning | Tobias Whale | TV series (regular) |
| 2020 | Into the Dark | Orderly | TV episode |
| 2024 | Halo | Louis-036 | TV series (recurring) |
| 2024 | The Equalizer | Clay | TV episode |
| 2025 | Shadow Force | TBA | Feature film |
| 2026 | Spider-Man: Brand New Day | Lonnie Lincoln / Tombstone | Feature film |
| 2027 | Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse | Tombstone (voice) | Feature film (upcoming) |
FAQs
Who is Marvin Jones III?
Marvin Jones III, also known as Krondon, is an American actor and rapper from Los Angeles. He is best known for playing Tobias Whale on Black Lightning and voicing Tombstone in the Spider-Verse films. He makes his live-action Marvel debut as Tombstone in Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026).
What is Marvin Jones III’s net worth?
Marvin Jones III’s net worth has not been publicly confirmed. Various unverified sources have made estimates, but none come from authoritative financial publications. As such, his exact net worth remains unknown.
Is Marvin Jones III the same person as the NFL player Marvin Jones?
No. Marvin Jones III (born 1976) is an actor and rapper from Los Angeles. The NFL wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. (born 1990) is a different person entirely.
What is Marvin Jones III’s stage name?
Marvin Jones III performs under the stage name Krondon. He adopted this moniker for his music career with Strong Arm Steady and his solo work.
What role does Marvin Jones III play in Spider-Man: Brand New Day?
Jones plays Lonnie Lincoln, also known as Tombstone, a crime boss with indestructible skin and superhuman strength. He previously voiced the character in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and will reprise the role in live action.
Was Marvin Jones III in Black Lightning?
Yes. Jones played Tobias Whale, the primary antagonist and crime boss, on The CW’s Black Lightning from 2018 to 2021. The role marked his breakthrough as an actor.
Does Marvin Jones III have albinism?
Yes. Marvin Jones III is an African American with albinism, a condition that affects pigmentation. His distinctive appearance has been a defining feature of his on-screen presence.
What music groups has Marvin Jones III been in?
Jones co-founded the hip-hop group Strong Arm Steady in 2003, alongside Phil Da Agony and Mitchy Slick. He has also collaborated with Shafiq Husayn as part of the duo White Boiz.
Is Marvin Jones III married?
Marvin Jones III keeps his personal life private. He has not publicly confirmed his marital status or any romantic relationships.
When is Spider-Man: Brand New Day released?
Spider-Man: Brand New Day swings into theaters on 31 July 2026. The film is directed by Destin Daniel Cretton and stars Tom Holland as Spider-Man.
Key Takeaways
- Marvin Jones III is an American actor and rapper born on 9 July 1976 in Los Angeles, California.
- He co-founded the hip-hop group Strong Arm Steady in 2003 and released his solo album Everything’s Nothing in 2013.
- He gained recognition as Tobias Whale on The CW’s Black Lightning (2018-2021) and as the voice of Tombstone in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018).
- In 2026, he makes his live-action Marvel debut as Tombstone in Spider-Man: Brand New Day and will reprise the voice role in Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse (2027).
- He has albinism, which has become a distinctive feature of his on-screen presence.
- His net worth has not been publicly confirmed.
Conclusion
Marvin Jones III has traveled an unconventional path from the underground hip-hop scene of Los Angeles to the highest echelons of superhero entertainment. As Krondon, he helped define the West Coast sound with Strong Arm Steady, earning respect in the rap community. But it was his transition to acting that revealed a new dimension of his talent. As Tobias Whale, he brought a chilling intensity to Black Lightning, proving he could command the screen. As Tombstone, he has become a fixture of the Spider-Verse, first with his menacing voice in the Oscar-winning animated film and now with his physical presence in live action. His albinism, once a challenge, has become a defining feature that sets him apart in an industry that often prizes conformity. At 50, Jones is enjoying the most high-profile chapter of his career, with a major Marvel film and a highly anticipated sequel on the horizon. He is a testament to the power of perseverance, versatility, and embracing what makes you unique.
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