Mahershala

Mahershala Ali is an American actor. He first gained recognition for his roles in the television series The 4400 and Treme. His film career took off with acclaimed performances in independent cinema before he achieved widespread critical and commercial success.

Ali won his first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Juan in the 2016 drama Moonlight. He made history as the first Muslim actor to win an Oscar. He later won a second Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Don Shirley in the 2018 film Green Book, becoming one of the few actors to win multiple Oscars in the same category.

His other notable film credits include The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 and Part 2, Hidden Figures, and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, where he voiced the character of Aaron Davis. In television, he has also appeared in House of Cards and was the voice of Cornell "Cottonmouth" Stokes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe series Luke Cage.

Born Mahershala Karim Abdullah, he initially pursued a career in basketball before transitioning to acting. He earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from New York University's Graduate Acting Program. Ali has been praised for his versatility and the depth he brings to his characters, solidifying his reputation as one of the most respected actors of his generation.