Mahershala Ali

About

Mahershala Ali, born as Mahershalalhashbaz Gilmore on February 16, 1974, is an American actor renowned for his impressive performances in film and television. Born and raised in Oakland, California, Ali pursued his passion for acting at New York University's prestigious Tisch School of the Arts. He began his acting career in the 2000s, securing notable roles in television series such as "Crossing Jordan" and "House of Cards." However, Ali's breakthrough came with the powerful film roles in "Moonlight" (2016) and "Green Book" (2018), which earned him two Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actor. Outside of his acting, Ali is known for his dedication to his faith as a devout Ahmadi Muslim, helping to increase representation for minority actors and actresses in Hollywood.

Associated With

Mahershala Ali is a well-regarded actor in the film and television industry, known for his collaborations with numerous esteemed artists and directors. With an acting career spanning over twenty years, he has worked alongside actors like Brad Pitt in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button", Jennifer Lawrence in "The Hunger Games" series, and Viggo Mortensen in "Green Book", for which he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. In television, he has been part of successful series like "House of Cards" alongside Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright, and was in the lead role in the third season of "True Detective". His collaboration with director Barry Jenkins in "Moonlight" also earned him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. He's kept his personal life private and he's been married to his wife, Amatus Sami-Karim, since 2013. As a professional, Ali is one of the most respected and widely associated actors in the industry.

Career Highlights

• 2001: Mahershala Ali got his start on television with a regular role in the science fiction series "Crossing Jordan".
• 2004: He landed another recurring role in the crime thriller series "The 4400" where he stayed until 2007.
• 2008: Mahershala Ali gained further recognition with his performance in the acclaimed film "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button".
• 2013: He joined the cast of critically-praised political drama series "House of Cards", earning an Emmy nomination in 2015.
• 2016: His breakthrough role came playing a compassionate drug dealer in "Moonlight", for which he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
• 2018: Mahershala Ali delivered another Oscar-winning performance, as a pianist in the film "Green Book", and became the second black actor ever to win two Oscars.
• 2019: He starred in the third season of the anthology crime drama series "True Detective", earning his third Primetime Emmy nomination.
• 2021: Ali is billed as the lead character in the upcoming new film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, "Blade".

Notable Awards

• Mahershala Ali has won several notable awards throughout his acting career. Here are some highlights:
• Academy Awards (Oscars):
• - Ali won the Best Supporting Actor in 2017 for his role in "Moonlight".
• - In 2019, he won the same category for his role in "Green Book".
• Golden Globe Awards:
• - He won the Best Supporting Actor - Motion Picture in 2019 for "Green Book".
• Screen Actors Guild Awards:
• - He won the Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role in 2017 for "Moonlight" and in 2019 for "Green Book".
• - Also in 2019, he was part of the cast that won the Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture for "Green Book".
• BAFTA Awards:
• - He won the Best Supporting Actor in 2019 for "Green Book".
• Critics' Choice Movie Awards:
• - He won the Best Supporting Actor in 2017 for "Moonlight" and in 2019 for "Green Book".
• These are just a few from an extensive list of accolades recognizing Ali's exceptional performances.

FAQs

What Is the Most Popular Mahershala Ali Movie/TV Show?

Mahershala Ali is a talented actor who has been part of many popular films and television shows, but arguably his most recognized role is in the movie "Moonlight" which won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2017. Ali's impressive portrayal of Juan, a Miami-based drug dealer, earned him the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. This film stands out as a career landmark for Ali that brought him to the forefront of global cinema. However, his role as the lead character in the third season of the popular TV series "True Detective" is also significantly notable.

How Did Mahershala Ali Get Famous?

Mahershala Ali gained prominence in the entertainment industry through his acting career that spans several notable roles in television and film. He is popularly known for his performances in the television series "House of Cards" as Remy Danton, and his Oscar-winning performances in the films "Moonlight" and "Green Book". His consistent and stellar acting abilities established him as a highly respected and successful actor in Hollywood, leading to his fame.