Age, Biography and Wiki
Mahershala Ali was born on February 16, 1974, in Oakland, California. His early life was influenced by his family's cultural and artistic background. Before becoming an actor, he was known as Mahershalalhashbaz Gilmore, and he later adopted the stage name Mahershala Ali. Ali's journey into the arts began on the basketball courts of St. Mary's College, where he eventually discovered his passion for acting, leading him to New York University's prestigious Tisch School of the Arts.
| Occupation | Basketball Players |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 16 February 1974 |
| Age | 51 Years |
| Birth Place | Oakland, California, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Aquarius |
| Country | U.S |
Height, Weight & Measurements
Mahershala Ali stands at approximately 6 feet (183 cm) tall, though his exact weight and other measurements are not publicly disclosed.
Ali is a devout fan of hip hop and has said within various interviews that Cambatta, Planet Asia, Skyzoo, Blu, Ka, Roc Marciano, Mach-Hommy, Pink Siifu, Fly Anakin & Mutant Academy, Mick Jenkins, Sage Elsesser, EARTHGANG, Benny The Butcher, Conway The Machine, Westside Gunn, Hus Kingpin & SmooVth are amongst his favorite artists.
| Height | 183 cm |
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Dating & Relationship Status
Mahershala Ali is married to Amatus Sami-Karim, and they have a daughter together. The family keeps their personal life relatively private, focusing more on Ali's professional endeavors.
His birth name, Mahershalalhashbaz, is from Maher-shalal-hash-baz, the name of the prophet Isaiah's second child (chapter 8, Book of Isaiah). Ali was raised as a Christian in Hayward, California, by his mother, an ordained Baptist minister whose own mother, Evia Goines, was herself an ordained minister at Palma Ceia Baptist Church in Hayward. His father left the family when Ali was a toddler to pursue a career as a dancer; he appeared on Broadway, and died in 1994.
He elaborated in an interview to Vanity Fair in October 2016: "I think if you have any desire to be a leading man or to really carry some of these stories, there's this relationship that has to be cultivated with an audience. People have to be able to say your name. I didn't want a couple of syllables to get in the way of me having the fullest experience as an actor."
In 2017, Ali joined the video game Madden NFL 18 story mode Longshot, in which he played Cutter Wade, the father of protagonist Devin. He played Don Shirley in the 2018 film Green Book, receiving his second Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture and the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.
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| Husband | Amatus Sami-Karim (m. 2013) |
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Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Mahershala Ali's net worth is reported to be around $12 million, reflecting his successful career in film and television. His earnings come from a variety of notable roles, including breakthrough performances in movies like "Moonlight" and "Green Book," as well as appearances in popular franchises such as "The Hunger Games".
Career, Business and Investments
Mahershala Ali's acting career began with roles in TV shows like "Crossing Jordan" and "Threat Matrix." He gained significant recognition for his performances in "The 4400" and "House of Cards," earning him multiple awards and nominations. Notable film roles include "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "The Place Beyond the Pines," and Oscar-winning performances in "Moonlight" and "Green Book".
In addition to acting, Ali has not publicly disclosed any significant business investments or ventures outside of his artistic work.
After pursuing an MFA degree from New York University, Ali began his career as a regular on television series Crossing Jordan (2001–02) and Threat Matrix (2003–04), before his breakthrough role as Richard Tyler in the science fiction series The 4400 (2004–07). His first major film role was in the David Fincher-directed fantasy The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008). He gained wider attention for supporting roles in the final two films of the original The Hunger Games film series, and in House of Cards, for which he received his first Primetime Emmy Award nomination.
Ali attended Saint Mary's College of California (SMC) in Moraga, California, where he graduated in 1996 with a degree in mass communication as a first-generation college student. He entered SMC with a basketball scholarship and went by the name "Hershal Gilmore" when playing for the SMC Gaels. He became disenchanted with the idea of a sports career because of the treatment given to the team's athletes and developed an interest in acting, particularly after taking part in a staging of Spunk, which later landed him an apprenticeship at the California Shakespeare Theater following graduation. After a sabbatical year working for Gavin Report, he enrolled in New York University's graduate acting program at Tisch School of the Arts, earning his master's degree in 2000.
Ali was signed to Bay Area recording label Hieroglyphics Imperium during the late 2000s and recorded rap music as Prince Ali. In 2006, he released his first album, Corner Ensemble, followed by Curb Side Service in 2007, but did not tour to promote the album, choosing instead to focus on his acting career. In 2015 Ali appeared on rap artist Hus Kingpin album "House Of Cards" lending his voice to skits and rapping on the track entitled "House Of Card Gods" using his moniker. In 2019, he made a guest appearance on Keith Murray's album Lord Of The Metaphor 2 alongside Casual and Planet Asia, and in 2020, appeared on Riz Ahmed's album The Long Goodbye.
Social Network
Mahershala Ali maintains a relatively low profile on social media platforms, preferring to focus on his craft rather than personal branding. However, he is celebrated by fans and followers for his contributions to the film industry.
In October 2023, Ali signed the Artists4Ceasefire letter calling for a ceasefire in the 2023 Gaza war. In January 2024, he showed further support for Palestinians in Gaza by reciting the poem "Longing for Haifa" by Palestinian poet Mohammed al-Qudwa in a video for social media, and encouraging his followers to donate to al-Qudwa's fundraiser so that the poet and his family could leave the Gaza Strip.
Education
Mahershala Ali pursued his higher education at St. Mary's College, where he played basketball. He later attended New York University's Tisch School of the Arts to hone his acting skills. This foundational education laid the groundwork for his successful career in Hollywood.
