Mahershala Ali (/məˈhɜːrʃələ/ mə-HUR-shə-lə; born Mahershalalhashbaz Gilmore on February 16, 1974) is an American actor. He has received multiple accolades, including two Academy Awards, a British Academy Film Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Primetime Emmy Award. Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2019, and in 2020, The New York Times ranked him among the 25 greatest actors of the 21st century. After pursuing an MFA degree from New York University,
Did you know that Mahershala Ali initially attended Saint Mary's College of California on a basketball scholarship before pursuing acting?
Mahershala Ali made history by becoming the first Muslim actor to win an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in "Moonlight." He then repeated this feat just two years later for "Green Book," solidifying his status as a two-time Oscar winner and a formidable dramatic talent.
Ali's legacy is defined by his profound versatility and his groundbreaking achievements in diverse roles, paving the way for greater representation and setting a new standard for character acting in Hollywood.
Also known as: M. Ali, Mah Ali