Mahershala Ali
| Mahershala Ali | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Ali in 2016 | |
| Born |
Mahershalalhashbaz Gilmore February 16, 1974 Hayward, California, U.S. |
| Other names | Mahershala Karim-Ali |
| Alma mater |
St. Mary's College of California Tisch School of the Arts |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2001–present |
Mahershalalhashbaz "Mahershala" Ali (born Mahershalalhashbaz Gilmore; February 16, 1974) is an American actor. Ali began his career as a regular on series such as Crossing Jordan and Threat Matrix before his breakthrough role as Richard Tyler in the science-fiction series The 4400. His first major film release was in the 2008 David Fincher-directed romantic fantasy drama film The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. His other notable films include Predators and The Place Beyond the Pines. He played a major role in Free State of Jones, set during and after the American Civil War.
Ali is best known for his recent roles as Remy Danton in House of Cards, Cornell "Cottonmouth" Stokes in Netflix's TV series Luke Cage, Juan in Moonlight, and Boggs in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 and its sequel, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2.
Early life
Ali was born in 1974, in Oakland, California. He is named after Maher-shalal-hash-baz. Raised Christian by his mother, an ordained minister,[1] he later converted to Islam, changing his surname from Gilmore to Ali, and joined the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.[2] His father appeared on Broadway. He attended St. Mary's College of California in Moraga, where he graduated in 1996 with a degree in mass communication.
Though Ali entered SMC with a basketball scholarship, he became disenchanted with the idea of a sports career due to the treatment given to the team's athletes. Ali developed an interest in acting, particularly after taking part in a staging of Spunk that later landed him an apprenticeship at the California Shakespeare Theater following graduation. Following a sabbatic year where Ali worked for Gavin Report, he enrolled in New York University's graduate acting program, earning his master's degree in 2000.[3]
Career
Ali is known for his portrayal of Remy Danton in the Netflix series House of Cards, Cornell Stokes in Luke Cage, Colonel Boggs in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2, and Tizzy in the 2008 film The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
Personal life
Ali is a Muslim belonging to the Ahmadiyya sect, and is married to Amatus Sami-Karim.[4] He has a pet cat that he named Nas, after the musician of the same name.[5]
Filmography
Film
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001–02 | Crossing Jordan | Dr. Trey Sanders | 19 episodes |
| 2002 | Haunted | Alex Dalcour | Episode: "Abby" |
| 2002 | NYPD Blue | Rashard Coleman | Episode: "Das Boots" |
| 2003 | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Tombs' Security Guard | Episode: "Lucky Strike" |
| 2003 | Handler, TheThe Handler | N/A | Episode: "Big Stones" |
| 2003–04 | Threat Matrix | Jelani Harper | 15 episodes |
| 2004–07 | 4400, TheThe 4400 | Richard Tyler | 28 episodes |
| 2009 | Lie to Me | Det. Don Hughes | Episode: "Do No Harm" |
| 2009 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Mark Foster | Episode: "Unstable" |
| 2010 | Wronged Man, TheThe Wronged Man | Calvin Willis | Television film Nominated—NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special |
| 2010 | All Signs of Death | Gabe | Unsold TV pilot |
| 2011 | Lights Out | Death Row Reynolds | Episode: "Unaired Pilot" |
| 2011–12 | Treme | Anthony King | 6 episodes |
| 2011–12 | Alphas | Nathan Clay | 12 episodes |
| 2012 | Alcatraz | Clarence Montgomery | Episode: "Clarence Montgomery" |
| 2013–16 | House of Cards | Remy Danton | 33 episodes Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Pending—Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Guest Performer in a Drama Series |
| 2016 | Luke Cage | Cornell 'Cottonmouth' Stokes | 7 episodes |
References
- ↑ http://www.gq.com/story/mahershala-ali-interview
- ↑ "www.alislam.org" (PDF). Retrieved 2010-08-04.
- ↑ "St. Mary's: Mahershala Ali".
- ↑ "Actor Mahershala Ali: Wondering Who is This Actor Married to? Wife, Girlfriend or Gay?". Liverampup. Retrieved 23 October 2016.
- ↑ VIERA, BENÉ. "Mahershala Ali Quit House of Cards and Became Marvel's New Villain". GQ.