Yahya Abdul-Mateen II

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II
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Name:
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II
Who is:
Birth date:
(38 y.o.)
Place of birth:
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S
Height:
6'3 ft ()
Weight:
198 lb (90 kg)
Relationship:
single
Birth Sign:
(characteristic)
Chinese zodiac:
Links:

Biography of Yahya Abdul-Mateen II

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is a Hollywood actor. He's best known for his roles in films like "Baywatch," "The Greatest Showman," "Aquaman," and "Candyman." Yahya's gained recognition not just for his acting talent, but also for his commanding presence. Standing at 6ft 1¾, his imposing height often lands him antihero roles.
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II

Early life and education

The future actor was born on July 15, 1986 in New Orleans, Louisiana. His father Yahya Abdul-Mateen I was a Muslim, and his mother Mary was a Christian. The family had six children, with Yahya Abdul-Mateen II being the youngest.
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II with his brothers and sisters in the childhood
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II with his brothers and sisters in the childhood
His father was already 41 when Yahya was born. He worked as a builder, Mary was a housewife.

Yahya loved sports, particularly steeplechase running. When the family moved to Oakland, California, he enrolled at McClymonds High School and became the star of the school's track team.
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II in his school years
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II in his school years
The young man wasn't just athletic but incredibly smart too - he loved chess and science. He was also popular at school, easily made friends, and was crowned prom king at graduation.

After graduating from high school, he enrolled at the University of California, Berkeley, where he studied architecture and competed for the athletic team California Golden Bears.
Yahya in his youth
Yahya in his youth
During this time, he started taking theater classes. He wanted to overcome his mild stutter. It didn't fit with his image as an athlete and life of the party. But soon he couldn't imagine himself away from the stage.

His dad died from cancer in 2007. Yahya said he lost his best friend that day. The future actor had always believed his father would pull through, so he was angry at life. But he later realized that life's short, so you need to seize the moment and do what you love.
Father has always been Yahya's best friend
Father has always been Yahya's best friend
He remembered these words later. After graduating from university, he got a very prestigious job in the city planning department of San Francisco. However, after getting laid off, Yahya decided to change everything. He entered the Yale School of Drama and worked as a stage actor.
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II on the stage of theatre
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II on the stage of theatre

Career

In 2012, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II began his acting career with a short film «Crescendo». His official film career launched with Baz Luhrmann's musical drama series «The Get Down» in 2016. Justice Smith played the main role. Yahya's character, Clarence «Cadillac» Caldwell, was the prince of disco.
As Clarence «Cadillac» Caldwell
As Clarence «Cadillac» Caldwell
In 2017, Abdul-Mateen played in Shawn Christensen's drama film «The Vanishing of Sidney Hall». He played Duane, an English teacher who encouraged the main character's writing.
A scene from the movie «The Vanishing of Sidney Hall»
A scene from the movie «The Vanishing of Sidney Hall»
Also in 2017, he appeared in the comedy «Baywatch» along with Alexandra Daddario, Zac Efron and Dwayne Johnson. Yahya played a police officer, sergeant Garner Ellerbee. That same year, he starred as W. D. Wheeler in the musical «The Greatest Showman» alongside Hugh Jackman.
Yahya in «Baywatch»
Yahya in «Baywatch»
In 2018, the actor appeared in the American dystopian television series «The Handmaid's Tale», as well as in the road trip film «Boundaries» and the drama «First Match».

An important event of the year was the release of the superhero film «Aquaman». Yahya Abdul-Mateen played a supporting villain - Black Manta. Critics praised the actor as a standout discovery in the film. Director James Wan later planned a Black Manta spin-off called «The Trench» for the «Aquaman» sequel. However, financial issues led to the project's cancellation.
As Black Manta
As Black Manta
2019 was a breakthrough year in the actor's career. First, he acted in the horror film «Us» directed by Jordan Peele. Like Peele's previous horror «Get Out», the film delivered a powerful anti-racist message and became a major achievement in American cinema.
A scene from the horror «Us»
A scene from the horror «Us»
In 2019, Abdul-Mateen II and Anthony Mackie joined the fifth season of the TV series «Black Mirror». Later in the year, he played in the superhero series «Watchmen». This marked Yahya's second DC Comics Universe project. He landed a main role as Calvin «Cal» Abar, husband to Regina King's Sister Night.
Yahya in «Black Mirror»
Yahya in «Black Mirror»

Personal life of Yahya Abdul-Mateen II

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is single. He keeps his personal life out of the spotlight. His Instagram features photos with his grandmother, baby pictures, and behind-the-scenes footage from film sets.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II now

The actor is working on new projects. Film critics predict Abdul-Mateen has what it takes to break into A-list territory.

In 2021, Yahya landed the lead role in the horror film «Candyman». He played an artist haunted by urban legends, including the story of a hook-handed killer known as Candyman.
A scene from the horror «Candyman»
A scene from the horror «Candyman»
The «Aquaman» sequel was set for a 2022 release. Yahya will return to the role of the Black Manta. The storyline of his character will be greatly expanded. The actor also hopes a Black Manta spin-off will eventually get the green light.

Once he wraps this project, the actor plans to take a break. Among his plans is to get a dog and visit a number of museums.
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II Is Morpheus In The Matrix Resurrections (Extended) | Tonight Show
In addition, Yahya took part in the filming of «Matrix 4» as a young Morpheus. In February 2021, the franchise's new installment was officially titled «The Matrix Resurrections».

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