Titus Makin Jr. – Why He Left The Rookie and His Music Now

Titus Makin Jr. vanished from network television after three seasons on The Rookie, leaving fans without a single official explanation. The actor who played Jackson West has since reappeared under a new identity — Butterfly Ali — building a music career that may have been his true focus all along.

Born: June 10, 1989 ·
Birthplace: Honolulu, Hawaii ·
Known for: Jackson West in The Rookie ·
Stage name: Butterfly Ali ·
Years active: 2011–present ·
Estimated net worth: $1–2 million

Eight key facts about Titus Makin Jr., one pattern: the line between his TV career and his music identity is blurrier than most realize.

Why did Titus Makin quit The Rookie?

Was Titus Makin fired or did he quit?

• Titus Makin Jr. played Jackson West on The Rookie from 2018 to 2021, appearing in 54 episodes according to IMDb (film database).
• His character was killed off in the Season 4 premiere, as reported by Newsweek (news magazine).
• The network and ABC never issued an official statement explaining Makin’s departure. Newsweek speculated he may have left to focus on his music career, but the actor himself has never confirmed that.

What happened to Jackson West on The Rookie?

In the first episode of Season 4, Jackson West is killed during a robbery while off-duty. The decision was a writing choice that ended the character’s arc abruptly, leaving fans frustrated. No on-screen farewell or follow-up explanation was given within the show.

The implication: Makin’s exit was handled as a clean break — no ambiguity, but also no closure for the audience.

What is Titus Makin Jr. doing now?

Is Titus Makin Jr. still acting?

As of 2024, Makin has no listed acting credits after 2021, per IMDb (film database). His social media accounts, particularly Instagram (@titusmakin), show no indication of new roles. He appears to have stepped away from television entirely.

What is Titus Makin Jr.’s music career?

• He adopted the stage name Butterfly Ali in 2020, citing Muhammad Ali’s line “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee” as inspiration (Andscape, culture and sports platform).
• His debut EP Preacher’s Kid was independently released on June 11, 2021 (Atwood Magazine, music publication).
• Singles include Rose, Righteous, 5 Minutes, and Pray For Em (Longevity PR, music publicity firm).
• Andscape reported that Butterfly Ali released new music in 2024, confirming he remains active as a musician.

Why this matters: Makin is not a former actor picking up a hobby — he is actively building a second career with a distinct artistic identity.

Is Titus Makin Jr. in a relationship?

Does Titus Makin Jr. have a wife?

There is no public information confirming any current or past marriage. Wikipedia does not list a spouse, and Makin has never posted about a partner on his Instagram.

Who is Titus Makin Jr. dating?

His personal life remains private. No verified reports connect him to anyone romantically. Fan speculation on forums like Reddit remains unconfirmed and should be treated as rumor.

The catch: In an era of oversharing, Makin’s silence on personal matters is its own statement.

Titus Makin Jr.’s Career: From Glee to The Rookie

What role did Titus Makin Jr. play on Glee?

• He appeared as David in multiple episodes between 2009 and 2015, according to IMDb (film database).
• TV Guide (TV listings and news) notes that after high school he attended the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts.

What other shows has Titus Makin Jr. been in?

• He had an uncredited role on Pretty Little Liars in 2013 (IMDb (film database)).
• His most visible role remains Jackson West on The Rookie, which ran from 2018 to 2021 across three seasons.

What this means: Makin’s TV resume shows steady progress, but the music pivot suggests his ambitions always ran parallel to acting.

Titus Makin Jr. Net Worth and Background

What is Titus Makin Jr.’s net worth?

No official net worth has been disclosed. Estimates from entertainment sites place it between $1–2 million, but these are speculative. Without publicly available financial records, the figure is an educated guess at best.

Where was Titus Makin Jr. born?

He was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, on June 10, 1989, per Wikipedia (online encyclopedia). He is of African-American and Puerto Rican descent.

How old is Titus Makin Jr.?

He turned 35 in 2024.

The bottom line: Makin’s net worth is a rough estimate — no official disclosure means the real financial picture is unknown.

Timeline: Key Moments in Titus Makin Jr.’s Life and Career

• June 10, 1989: Born in Honolulu, Hawaii (Wikipedia)
• 2009–2015: Recurring role as David on Glee (IMDb)
• 2018: Cast as Jackson West on The Rookie (IMDb)
• 2021: Character Jackson West killed off; Makin leaves the show (Newsweek)
• 2020–2021: Adopts stage name Butterfly Ali; releases debut EP Preacher’s Kid (Atwood Magazine)
• 2024: Active on social media, releases new music (Andscape)

What We Know and What We Don’t

Confirmed facts

• Born June 10, 1989 in Honolulu, Hawaii (Wikipedia)
• Played Jackson West on The Rookie from 2018 to 2021 (IMDb)
• Stage name is Butterfly Ali (Wikipedia)
• Active as a musician as of 2024 (Andscape)

What’s unclear

• Reason for leaving The Rookie (not confirmed by actor or network)
• Current relationship status (no public information)
• Exact net worth (no official disclosure)

In His Own Words: What Titus Makin Jr. Has Said

“Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee” — that’s where the name Butterfly Ali comes from.

— Titus Makin Jr., speaking to Andscape (culture and sports platform)

Music is my through line. I had new Butterfly Ali music coming in 2021.

— Titus Makin Jr., in a 2020 interview with YouTube/CPTV (local news segment)

For fans waiting for an official explanation, the quiet exit remains a mystery — but Makin’s musical metamorphosis suggests his story is far from over. The implication: the artist known as Butterfly Ali has moved on, even if the audience hasn’t.

After leaving the show, he fully embraced his musical identity as Butterfly Ali, a shift detailed in his musical shift as Butterfly Ali.

Frequently asked questions