Mahershala Ali Biography
Mahershala Ali is an American actor who rose to prominence in the 2010s and won an Academy Award for his moving and nuanced performance as the fatherly drug dealer Juan in the film Moonlight (2016).
How Old is Mahershala Ali? – Age
Ali is 49 years old as of 2023, He was born in Oakland, California on February 16, 1974.
How Tall is Mahershala Ali? – Height
The actor stands at a height of 5 feet 9 inches.
Mahershala Ali Mother, Father, Siblings – Family
Ali was raised in Hayward, California, where he grew up in a household led by his mother, a Baptist minister. His father left the family during Ali’s early childhood to pursue a career in dance. Securing a basketball scholarship, Ali attended St. Mary’s College of California. During this time, he discovered a passion for poetry slams and took part in a production of the play Spunk.
This experience ignited a desire within him to pursue acting. After earning a bachelor’s degree in communications in 1996, Ali underwent an apprenticeship at the California Shakespeare Festival. Later, he pursued further studies at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, graduating with an M.F.A. in 2000. During his time there, he embraced the Aḥmadiyyah sect of Islam and adopted the surname Ali.
Is Mahershala Ali Married? – Wife
Ali is happily married to musician Amatus Sami-Karim. The couple first crossed paths at NYU and have remained together ever since, exchanging vows in 2013. Their family grew just four days before an unforgettable Oscar moment when they welcomed their first child, a daughter named Bari Najma, born on Feb. 22, 2017.
Mahershala’s Career
Following his graduation, Ali delved into the entertainment industry, landing a prominent role in the indie film “Making Revolution” (2003). He notably earned praise for his portrayal of boxer Jack Johnson in a 2000 production of “The Great White Hope” at Washington, D.C.’s Arena Stage. Ali ventured into television, spending a season on “Crossing Jordan” (2001–02) and appeared as a recurring character in the sci-fi series “The 4400” (2004–07).
He made an impact in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (2008) and continued to shine in various roles, such as his part in “Treme” (2011–12) and his presence in “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay—Part 1” (2014) and “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay—Part 2” (2015) as Boggs. Under the pseudonym Prince Ali, he released rap albums “Corner Ensemble” (2006) and “Curb Side Service” (2007).
Ali’s career soared with his compelling performance as Remy Danton in the widely praised series “House of Cards” (2013–16), garnering an Emmy nomination. He also earned acclaim for his roles in “Free State of Jones” (2016) and “Hidden Figures” (2016), alongside his Oscar-winning role in “Moonlight.”
The talented actor won his second Oscar for his outstanding portrayal in “Green Book” (2018), a story exploring an unlikely friendship in the 1960s American South. Ali’s versatility shone as he voiced a character in “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” (2018) and later led the series “True Detective” in its third season (2019), earning him another Emmy nomination.
Continuing his streak, Ali featured in the TV series “Ramy” (2020) and secured an Emmy nod for his compelling performance as a Sufi leader. His prowess continued in “Swan Song” (2021), where he portrayed a man wrestling with mortality, contemplating cloning himself to safeguard his loved ones.
Mahershala Ali’s Net Worth
The highly acclaimed actor has an estimated net worth of approximately $12 million as of 2023 from his succesful career.
Mahershala Ali Instagram
Follow him on Insagram @MahershalaAli