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.
2001: Professional Name
From 2001 onwards, Mahershala Ali was known professionally by his full name, Mahershalalhashbaz Ali.
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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.
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2003: Regular Role on Threat Matrix
In 2003, Mahershala Ali continued his television career as a regular on the series Threat Matrix.
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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.
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2006: Release of Corner Ensemble
In 2006, Mahershala Ali, under the moniker Prince Ali, released his first album, Corner Ensemble.
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2007: Release of Curb Side Service
In 2007, Mahershala Ali, known as Prince Ali, released his second album, Curb Side Service.
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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.
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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.
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2010: Shortening of Professional Name
In 2010, Mahershala Ali began to be credited as Mahershala Ali, shortening his professional name from Mahershalalhashbaz Ali.
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2013: Role in House of Cards
In 2013, Mahershala Ali played Remy Danton in the netflix series House of Cards.
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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".
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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.
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2016: Role in House of Cards
In 2016, Mahershala Ali played Remy Danton in the netflix series House of Cards.
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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.
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2016: Acclaim and Awards for Moonlight
In 2016, Mahershala Ali received universal acclaim and won the Academy Award, SAG Award, and Critics' Choice Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Moonlight. He became the first Muslim actor to win an Oscar.
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2016: Academy Award for Moonlight
In 2016, Mahershala Ali won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Moonlight, marking a significant achievement in his career.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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2018: Academy Award for Green Book
In 2018, Mahershala Ali won his second Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Green Book, making history as the first black actor to win two Academy Awards in the same category.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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2020: Appearance on Riz Ahmed's Album
In 2020, Mahershala Ali appeared on Riz Ahmed's album The Long Goodbye.
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2020: Starring Role in Ramy Season 2
In 2020, Mahershala Ali starred in the second season of the Hulu comedy-drama series Ramy.
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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.
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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".
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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.
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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.
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2023: Fifth Emmy Nomination
In 2023, Mahershala Ali's narration of the Netflix documentary Chimp Empire earned him his fifth Emmy nomination.
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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.
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