Who Is Mahershala Ali? Get to Know the Oscar-Winning Actor
Mahershala Ali dominated award season for his role in Moonlight, but this certainly isn't his first encounter with the spotlight. Over the past few years, the 43-year-old has starred in a number of popular movies, but his acting ability is just one of the reasons he's become our new Hollywood crush. Did you know that his birth name isn't actually Mahershala? Or that he went to college on a basketball scholarship? Get to know the actor better with these fun facts.
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He Changed His Name
The actor's birth name is Mahershalalhashbaz Gilmore, after verses from the Book of Isaiah in the Bible. He eventually used his nickname Mahershala (pronounced Mah-HER-shuh-lah) as his stage name.
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He's Muslim
He was raised Christian by his mother, who was an ordained minister, but later converted during graduate school. He changed his surname from Gilmore to Ali and joined the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.
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You've Seen His Face Before
Think Mahershala looks familiar? It's probably because you recognize him from his past roles. Aside from his appearance in Moonlight, he is best known for playing Remy Danton in House of Cards, Cornell "Cottonmouth" Stokes in Luke Cage, and Boggs in The Hunger Games franchise.
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He Went to College on a Basketball Scholarship
Mahershala attended St. Mary's College of California on a basketball scholarship, but later decided to pursue acting. He graduated in 1996 with a degree in mass communication and went on to get his masters from New York University's graduate acting program in 2000.
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He's Married
Mahershala first started dating Amatus Sami-Karim when they attended NYU together, but they didn't reconnect until years later when her brother was killed in a Chicago shooting. They tied the knot in 2013.
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He Named His Cat After Nas
Mahershala admitted that he named his pet after the hip-hop singer.
He's a Dad
Shortly before the Oscars, the actor welcomed his first child, a son named Bari Najma Ali.
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He's the First Muslim Oscar-Winner
The actor made history when he accepted the award for best supporting actor. Not only did it mark his first Oscars win, but it also marked the first time a Muslim has taken home the coveted trophy.