Jackson White: Katey Sagal & Jack White’s Son

The Musical Legacy of Jack White and the Family Life Behind Actor Jackson White

On July 16, 2024, actor Jackson White announced the passing of his father, drummer and actor Jack Cameron White, at age 70, prompting an outpouring of remembrance for the musician and a deeper look into the family that inspired his son’s own creative path. The story of Jack and his wife, actress Katey Sagal, is one of artistic influence, a blended family, and a lasting bond between a mother and son, even as they navigate the complexities of Hollywood.

Katey Sagal, renowned for her iconic roles in Married… with Children and Sons of Anarchy, and Jack White, a celebrated drummer who played with music legends like Ike and Tina Turner and Rick Springfield, welcomed two children – Sarah White in 1994 and Jackson White in 1996 – before ultimately divorcing in 2000. Despite the split, both parents fostered a creative environment that profoundly shaped their children’s lives.

A Childhood Between Two Worlds

Jackson and his sister, Sarah, experienced a unique upbringing, dividing their time between Los Angeles and Nashville following their parents’ divorce. As Jackson recalled in a September 2022 interview with Esquire, his mother’s home was steeped in music due to her own early career as a musician, while his father’s Nashville residence was a veritable music studio, filled with drums, keyboards, and guitars. “You’d wake up to blasting music,” he remembered, describing a lifestyle that ignited his own passion for the arts.

This early exposure to music, however, didn’t immediately translate into a desire to follow in his father’s footsteps. While captivated by his father’s touring stories, Jackson ultimately sought a different kind of structure and discipline, leading him to pursue acting.

A Family of Entertainers

Both Sarah and Jackson have forged their own paths in the entertainment industry. Sarah has appeared in television series such as NCIS, Grey’s Anatomy, The Rookie, and The Abandons, demonstrating her versatility as an actress and musician. Jackson has landed roles in The Middle, SEAL Team, Mrs. Fletcher, and notably, Tell Me Lies.

Katey Sagal’s family expanded in 2004 when she married actor and Sons of Anarchy creator Kurt Sutter, with whom she shares daughter Esmé Sutter, born in 2007. Sagal has also spoken openly about the heartbreaking experience of a stillbirth with her daughter Ruby in 1991.

On-Screen and Off-Screen Dynamics

The professional and personal lives of Katey Sagal and Jackson White intersected in the first season of Tell Me Lies, where Sagal was cast as Jackson’s on-screen mother. The experience, described as “insane” by Jackson in an interview with The Seattle Times, proved to be both challenging and rewarding.

“It was really fun for us,” Sagal shared during a March 2025 appearance on the MeSsy podcast. “We’d never worked together as actors, and we have a super close relationship.” The casting allowed them to explore a “toxic dynamic” between a mother and son, pushing the boundaries of their real-life connection. Sagal noted her son’s professionalism, stating, “Jackson shows up fully on set, ready to play, present and collaborative. It was beautiful.”

Despite her support for Jackson’s acting career, Sagal initially cautioned him against pursuing the profession, advising him, “Don’t do it. Do something else,” as Jackson revealed in a September 2022 interview with PEOPLE. She didn’t allow him to audition until he turned 18, wanting to ensure he was fully committed to the demanding path. Sagal also emphasized that Jackson actively rejects the “nepo baby” label, taking pride in forging his own identity within the industry.

A Legacy of Love and Gratitude

Following Jack White’s passing, Katey Sagal publicly expressed her gratitude for her ex-husband, commenting on Jackson’s since-deleted Instagram tribute, “Beautiful Jackson and Beautiful Sarah I will always be grateful to your dad for you! Thank you Jack❤️🙏 Finally free.” This sentiment underscores the enduring respect and affection that remained between the two, even after their divorce.

Jack White’s musical journey began with a bold move, leaving high school after his junior year to hitchhike from Michigan to California in pursuit of his drumming dreams. Within six months, he secured a gig with Ike and Tina Turner, launching a career that saw him collaborate with a diverse range of artists, including Rick Springfield, Mitch Ryder, Sam the Sham, Redbone, and Johnny Cash. According to his website, he often landed these opportunities through word of mouth, a testament to his talent and reputation within the music community.

Jackson White’s heartfelt tribute to his father, shared on Instagram, painted a vivid picture of a man who was “an open book, a fighter, genuinely the funniest person my sister and I knew.” He remembered his father as a larger-than-life figure – “6 foot 4 with a denim shirt and a Starbucks muffin, driving us around, teaching us every important song ever written.”

The passing of Jack Cameron White marks the end of a vibrant musical career and leaves a void in the lives of his children and former wife. However, his legacy of passion, creativity, and love will undoubtedly continue to inspire Jackson and Sarah White as they navigate their own artistic journeys.