Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Mahershala Ali

How Mahershala Ali built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Mahershala Ali is a highly acclaimed American actor recognized for his exceptional talent and versatility. He is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including two Academy Awards, a British Academy Film Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Primetime Emmy Award. His significant impact on the entertainment industry and his cultural influence were acknowledged when Time magazine included him in its list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2019. Furthermore, The New York Times recognized his exceptional acting prowess, ranking him among the 25 greatest actors of the 21st century in 2020.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2001: Professional Name

From 2001 onwards, Mahershala Ali was known professionally by his full name, Mahershalalhashbaz Ali.

2001: Regular Role on Crossing Jordan

In 2001, Mahershala Ali started his career as a regular on the television series Crossing Jordan, marking an early role in his television career.

2003: Regular Role on Threat Matrix

In 2003, Mahershala Ali continued his television career as a regular on the series Threat Matrix.

2004: Breakthrough Role in The 4400

In 2004, Mahershala Ali achieved a breakthrough role as Richard Tyler in the science fiction series The 4400, gaining wider recognition.

2006: Release of Corner Ensemble

In 2006, Mahershala Ali, under the moniker Prince Ali, released his first album, Corner Ensemble.

2007: Release of Curb Side Service

In 2007, Mahershala Ali, known as Prince Ali, released his second album, Curb Side Service.

2008: First Major Film Role

In 2008, Mahershala Ali had his first major film role in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, directed by David Fincher.

2008: Role in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

In 2008, Mahershala Ali played Tizzy in the film The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, marking his first major film role.

2010: Shortening of Professional Name

In 2010, Mahershala Ali began to be credited as Mahershala Ali, shortening his professional name from Mahershalalhashbaz Ali.

2013: Role in House of Cards

In 2013, Mahershala Ali played Remy Danton in the netflix series House of Cards.

2015: Appearance on "House of Cards"

In 2015, Mahershala Ali appeared on Hus Kingpin's album "House Of Cards", contributing skits and rapping on the track "House Of Card Gods".

2016: Played Cornell "Cottonmouth" Stokes in Luke Cage

In 2016, Mahershala Ali played Cornell "Cottonmouth" Stokes in the first season of the Netflix series Luke Cage.

2016: Role in House of Cards

In 2016, Mahershala Ali played Remy Danton in the netflix series House of Cards.

2016: Awards and Acclaim for Moonlight

In 2016, Mahershala Ali received critical acclaim and won Academy and SAG Awards for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as a drug dealer in the drama Moonlight.

2017: Role in Madden NFL 18

In 2017, Mahershala Ali joined the video game Madden NFL 18's story mode Longshot, where he played Cutter Wade.

2018: Second Academy Award for Green Book

In 2018, Mahershala Ali received his second Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Don Shirley in the film Green Book, also winning a Golden Globe and a BAFTA Award.

2018: Voiced Aaron Davis in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

In 2018, Mahershala Ali voiced Aaron Davis in the animated film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.

2018: Awards for Green Book

In 2018, Mahershala Ali won Academy Awards and SAG Awards for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as Don Shirley in the biographical comedy-drama Green Book, as well as a BAFTA and Golden Globe Award.

January 13, 2019: Premiere of True Detective Season 3

On January 13, 2019, the third season of HBO's True Detective, starring Mahershala Ali as Wayne Hays, premiered in the United States.

July 2019: Cast as Blade in the MCU

In July 2019, at San Diego Comic-Con, Mahershala Ali was announced as being cast to play Blade in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film of the same name.

2019: Guest Appearance on Keith Murray's Album

In 2019, Mahershala Ali made a guest appearance on Keith Murray's album Lord Of The Metaphor 2.

2019: Role in True Detective Season 3

In 2019, Mahershala Ali played a troubled police officer in the third season of HBO's True Detective.

2019: Emmy Nomination for True Detective

In 2019, Mahershala Ali was nominated for the Primetime Emmy for his role as Wayne Hays in the HBO crime anthology True Detective.

2020: Appearance on Riz Ahmed's Album

In 2020, Mahershala Ali appeared on Riz Ahmed's album The Long Goodbye.

2020: Starring Role in Ramy Season 2

In 2020, Mahershala Ali starred in the second season of the Hulu comedy-drama series Ramy.

2020: Primetime Emmy Award for We Are the Dream

In 2020, Mahershala Ali won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Children's Program as an executive producer of We Are the Dream: The Kids of the Oakland MLK Oratorical Fest.

2020: Emmy win and nomination

In 2020, Mahershala Ali won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Children's Program for producing "We Are the Dream: The Kids of the Oakland MLK Oratorical Fest" and got another Emmy nomination for his role in the second season of "Ramy".

2021: BAFTA and Golden Globe Nomination

In 2021, Mahershala Ali received nominations for the BAFTA and Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for his role in the science fiction romance Swan Song.

October 2023: Signed Artists4Ceasefire Letter

In October 2023, Mahershala Ali signed the Artists4Ceasefire letter, calling for a ceasefire in the 2023 Israel-Hamas War.

2023: Voiced Aaron Davis in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

In 2023, Mahershala Ali voiced Aaron Davis in the animated film Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.

2023: Fifth Emmy Nomination

In 2023, Mahershala Ali's narration of the Netflix documentary Chimp Empire earned him his fifth Emmy nomination.

January 2024: Support for Palestinians in Gaza

In January 2024, Mahershala Ali showed support for Palestinians in Gaza by reciting the poem "Longing for Haifa" and encouraging donations to a fundraiser.