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Mahershala Ali: Quick Facts

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News •

Fresh Air Weekend: Actor Mahershala Ali; Writer Yiyun Li • Oct. 17, 2026, 5:00 AM ET (NPR)

Facts

Also Known As Mahershalalhashbaz Gilmore
Born February 16, 1974 (age 52) • Oakland • California
Awards And Honors Academy Award (2019) • Golden Globe Award (2019) • Academy Award (2017) • Academy Award (2019): Actor in a Supporting Role • Academy Award (2017): Actor in a Supporting Role • Emmy Award (2020): Outstanding Children's Program • Golden Globe Award (2019): Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
Notable Family Members son of Phillip Gilmore • married to Amatus Sami Karim (2013–present)
Education New York University (M.F.A., 2000) • Saint Mary's College of California (B.A., 1996)
Movies/Tv Shows (Acted In) "Roxanne Roxanne" (2017) • "Haunted" (2002) • "Predators" (2010) • "Free State of Jones" (2016) • "Lights Out" (2011) • "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" (2003) • "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1" (2014) • "The Handler" (2003) • "NYPD Blue" (2002) • "Making Revolution" (2003) • "Green Book" (2018) • "Kicks" (2016) • "Moonlight" (2016) • "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (2008) • "Alita: Battle Angel" (2019) • "Luke Cage" (2016) • "Crossing Over" (2009) • "The Place Beyond the Pines" (2012) • "Ramy" (2020) • "Crossing Jordan" (2001–2002) • "Lie to Me" (2009) • "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2" (2015) • "Supremacy" (2014) • "Go for Sisters" (2013) • "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (2009) • "Alphas" (2011–2012) • "Comrade Detective" (2017) • "Room 104" (2018) • "Alcatraz" (2012) • "Treme" (2011–2012) • "House of Cards" (2013–2016) • "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" (2018) • "The 4400" (2004–2007) • "Threat Matrix" (2003–2004) • "True Detective" (2019) • "Hidden Figures" (2016)

Top Questions

When was Mahershala Ali born?
Mahershala Ali was born on February 16, 1974.
Where was Mahershala Ali born?
Mahershala Ali was born in Oakland, California, United States.

Photos

Mahershala Ali as Juan in Moonlight sits in a car doorway, wearing a patterned shirt and black headscarf, looking intently ahead.
Alex Hibbert and Mahershala Ali in a scene from Moonlight, with Ali supporting Hibbert as they float together in the ocean.
Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali sit in a vintage green car, with Mortensen in the driver's seat and Ali in the back, in a scene from the film Green Book.
Mahershala Ali and Ramy Youssef in a scene from the television series Ramy, standing outdoors holding coffee cups, with a brick building and white door in the background.
See All Images →
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Philip Seymour Hoffman wearing glasses, a striped shirt, and a dark jacket, smiling while standing on the red carpet at the 2012 Venice International Film Festival.
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Brad Pitt
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Kevin Spacey, wearing a tuxedo, stands onstage smiling and speaking at a microphone during the 2017 British Academy Britannia Awards in Beverly Hills.
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Octavia Spencer smiling at an event in 2019, wearing a black patterned top with long wavy hair, in front of a blue background with DGA logos.
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Woody Harrelson in a blue blazer and dark shirt, facing forward and smiling slightly at a 2018 event.
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Stanley Tucci
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Julianne Moore smiles in a sleeveless red dress against a yellow background with a black star logo at the Critics' Choice Movie Awards.
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Matthew McConaughey wearing a gray suit, white shirt, and dark tie, looking slightly to the side against a plain background.
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Kevin Costner in a light beige suit and white shirt, standing in front of a yellow backdrop at the Yellowstone premiere.
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Jodie Foster in a blue blazer poses on the red carpet at the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival, with event logos visible on the white background behind her.
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George Clooney wearing a black suit and shirt, smiling outdoors with palm trees and a bright sky in the background at the Cannes Film Festival.
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Tommy Lee Jones in a gray suit and navy polka dot tie, smiling at the AFI Fest premiere of Lincoln in Hollywood.
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J. K. Simmons wearing a dark fedora, gray suit, and dark shirt and tie, smiling at an event in 2019.
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Robert Downey, Jr.
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Kieran Culkin wearing a pinstripe suit and tie, posing in front of a black and gold Succession backdrop at the HBO Succession Season 3 premiere in New York City.
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Jared Leto poses in a turquoise suit jacket against a pink backdrop at the UK premiere of House of Gucci.
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Tim Robbins wearing a suit and tie, smiling on the red carpet at the premiere of The Spoils of Babylon, with the show's logo visible in the background.
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Joel Grey in Cabaret
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