Mahershala Ali is a renowned American actor born on February 16, 1974, in Oakland, California. He was raised in Hayward and originally named Mahershalalhashbaz Gilmore. Ali's early life was marked by his mother's role as a Baptist minister and his father's departure to pursue a career in dance. He attended St. Mary's College of California on a basketball scholarship, where he discovered his passion for acting through poetry slams and theater productions. After graduating, Ali enrolled in New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, earning an M.F.A. in drama in 2000. During this period, he converted to the Aḥmadiyyah sect of Islam and later shortened his name to Mahershala Ali for professional purposes. Ali's career gained momentum with roles in TV series like "Crossing Jordan" and "The 4400." His breakthrough came with major film roles in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (2008) and "Predators" (2010). He further solidified his reputation with performances in "House of Cards," "The Hunger Games," and "Luke Cage." His Oscar-winning performances in "Moonlight" (2016) and "Green Book" (2018) cemented his status as a leading actor. Notably, Ali became the first Muslim actor to win an Academy Award and the first black actor to win twice in the supporting category. Currently, Mahershala Ali continues to be a prominent figure in Hollywood, with recent roles in films like "Leave the World Behind" (2023) and "Jurassic World: Rebirth" (2025). His versatility and depth as an actor have earned him widespread recognition and critical acclaim. Ali is also known for his smooth voice and has explored his talents in music, collaborating with notable artists. He is married to Amatus Karim Ali, and they have one child together.