How Viola Davis' husband Julius Tennon went from Austin to starring with wife in 'Air'

Viola Davis and her husband, Julius Tennon, walked the red carpet together at the premiere of "Air" at South by Southwest on Saturday.

The couple star in the upcoming movie as the parents of Michael Jordan. The film focuses on the development of the NBA star's iconic "Air Jordan" shoes. Just last year, the two appeared in "The Woman King," a film they also produced. Davis and Tennon are also on the advisory board of Austin's only African-American theater company, Spectrum Theatre.

Here's what we know about Tennon's journey from Austin to Hollywood, and how he and Davis got together.

Julius Tennon got a theater degree on a football scholarship

Tennon was born in Austin in 1953, and while at Allan Junior High, a teacher took note of his speaking voice. After memorizing and delivering Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech, he began to pursue acting.

He graduated from Johnston High School and went to the University of Tulsa on a football scholarship, majoring in theater.

Tennon graduated in 1978 as the only African-American student in the department, and would go on appear in an episode of the show "Dallas" while taking minor roles in other TV movies and feature films. But after a 1993 film, things started to change.

Julius Tennon was cast in 'Dazed and Confused' with Matthew McConaughey and Ben Affleck

Tennon appeared in the cult classic "Dazed and Confused," starring fellow Austinite Matthew McConaughey and future film collaborator Ben Affleck.

Dive deeper:How Linklater's ‘Dazed and Confused’ became Austin’s favorite hazy memory

He appeared in only one scene, as Mr. Payne, but following the success of the movie, Tennon gained more visibility. He appeared on episodes of shows like "NYPD Blue," "Walker, Texas Ranger" and "Moesha" throughout the 1990s.

In 1999, he appeared in the pilot for "City of Angels" and met his future wife.

Viola Davis told Oprah she prayed to bring her a husband

In a 2022 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Davis recounted what traits she wanted in a future husband.

Julius Tennon, Viola Davis adopted daughter Genesis Tennon in 2011

After marrying in 2003, the couple adopted a baby girl in 2011. Genesis Tennon is now 12 years old and has already started to follow in her parent's footsteps. She lent her voice to the character of "Vivi" in the 2019 movie "The Angry Birds Movie 2."

Tennon has two adult children from a previous marriage.

Ben Affleck compares Julius Tennon to Michael Jordan's real-life dad, James Jordan Jr.

On the red carpet in Austin, Davis and Tennon shared that they enjoy working together on film projects.

"It was a pleasure to play the Jordans, who were so grounded and who were so loving to one another in the same way we are," Tennon said.

On "Good Morning America" the following day, Davis echoed that sentiment, and Affleck, the film's director and a co-star, shared why Tennon is so similar to the real-life character he played.

"Michael (Jordan) said 'my dad had the best personality of anyone I knew' and Julius is that guy. He's the guy that everyone loves him. He brings that energy to the set where it's just like he's make it fun and fabulous and they were both perfect," Affleck said.

List of TV shows, movies Viola Davis, Julius Tennon appeared together in

• "City of Angles" (2000)

• "Won't Back Down" (2012)

• "Lila & Eve" (2015)

• "Custody" (2016)

• "How to Get Away with Murder" (2017)

• "The Woman King" (2022)

• "Air" (2023)

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Julius Tennon, Viola Davis play Michael Jordan's parents in Air movie