Biography of Mahershala Ali
Mahershala Ali (Mahershalalhashbaz Ali) won the 2017 Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in the drama Moonlight. He became the first Muslim actor to win this prestigious award.
Childhood and Early Life of Mahershala Ali
The future star was born and raised in California. His mother, Willicia, was deeply religious, while his father, Phillip Gilmore, was a Broadway actor. She raised her son in the Christian faith and even named him after one of the prophet Isaiah's sons, Mahershalalhashbaz. However, as a young man, he converted to Islam and changed his surname from Gilmore to Ali.
At the time, Mahershala hadn't even considered an acting career. He discovered his passion for acting after appearing in the theatrical production Spunk. Apparently, his father's genes kicked in, and after that debut, Ali began considering an acting career.

Career of Mahershala Ali
Mahershala made his screen debut in the TV show NYPD Blue. He later landed secondary roles in other crime TV shows including CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and Crossing Jordan.In 2008, he scored a small role in David Fincher's acclaimed film The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. The emerging actor got to work alongside major Hollywood stars such as Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Julia Ormond, and Jason Flemyng on one set.

However, his portrayal of drug dealer Juan in Barry Jenkins' Oscar-winning drama Moonlight proved to be a career-defining breakthrough for the relatively unknown actor. The character, a young Black gay man, navigates three stages of life while trying to understand his identity and place in the world.

Private Life of Mahershala Ali
Just before the Oscar ceremony, the actor's family received wonderful news. Mahershala Ali became a father for the first time. On February 22, the actor welcomed a daughter, Bari Najma Ali.