Mahershala Ali Career Retrospective | SAG-AFTRA Foundation Conversations

A 90-minute career retrospective with Mahershala Ali, SAG Award Nominee for Moonlight.
Moderated by Jenelle Riley, Variety.
The summer after his graduation, Mr. Ali made his professional debut performing for a season with the California Shakespeare Festival in Orinda, California, where he also served as an apprentice. Soon after, he was accepted into graduate school at New York University, where he received a Master’s degree in acting. While at NYU, he appeared in productions of Blues for an Alabama Sky, The School for Scandal, A Lie of the Mind, A Doll’s House, Monkey in the Middle, The Merchant of Venice, The New Place, and Secret Injury, Secret Revenge. In Washington, D.C. he starred at the Arena Stage in the lead role of The Great White Hope; and in Minneapolis, he starred at the Guthrie Theater and in A Long Walk and Jack and Jill.
Mr. Ali made his television debut with a recurring role as Dr. Trey Sanders on the drama series Crossing Jordan. He subsequently landed a starring role as Richard Tyler, a Korean War pilot, on the sci-fi drama The 4400, which ran for four seasons.
He starred in the title role, opposite Julia Ormond, in The Wronged Man, earning an NAACP Image Award nomination. Following recurring roles on Treme and Alphas he continued to impress audiences on House of Cards.
His many film credits include The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Predators, Crossing Over, Supremacy, Go for Sisters, The Hunger Games, Free State of Jones and Kicks.
He is currently nominated for a SAG Award for his role in Moonlight and can also be seen in Hidden Figures.

[@1cjblacks85]

I never get tired of hearing this guy speak.

[@edwardbaran9326]

completely with you. He has so much charisma and intelligence. Amazing actor.

[@seigfredperolino]

Turn these interviews into podcasts, I want to be able to listen these amazing interviews on the go. Like this comment so they'll make it happen.

[@SAGAFTRAFoundation]

We have recently launched a Conversations podcast and this is one of the first 10 episodes! You can currently find it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.

[@danielasanchez4674]

Wow, it actually happened!!!

[@MrMarkstyles]

Mahershala is extremely talented, intelligent, well spoken.. A real inspiration and a true gentleman.. I think he will have a long and successful career.. I've loved him since The 4400..

[@HovaNirvana]

Loved this conversation. Big fan of this dude, as an actor and as a person.

[@MrGaxar]

seems like a proper top bloke. really grounded and humble. Hope he gets a load more high profile jobs asap

[@TheRodrigo1555]

Whether Mahershala wins the Oscar or not, he's going to be a creative force for quite a while.

[@terencethomas6452]

He got 2 now and he's blade , ice skating uphill

[@kaylavix]

Such an amazing man. His words put my soul at ease, honestly the way he speaks makes me want to listen for hours.

[@2hopskipjump2]

"...who are more than their mistakes" I don't think I've heard truer words.

[@Smoketreez83]

Future legend

[@laronhearst9408]

like hands down one of my favorites

[@aap2310]

he has it all- intelligence, passion, grace, gifted actor, beautiful soul and incredibly attractive i loved the curious case of bb

[@andrewmason9662]

Being your best self That speaks to me

[@SuperCitizenBane]

He would've been an amazing Lex Luthor, anyone who saw Luke Cage can attest. So glad he won the Oscar, he deserved it!!

[@stephengiese7549]

He does an excellent job of speaking equally towards the interviewer and the audience! Speaks very well and uses humour when necessary. Good guy!

[@amandafrombrooklyn7514]

Great conversation, I felt like I was having a one on one with him. Thanks for the insight, Mahershala and I wish much more success.

[@Alfsnowball]

Incredible interview, we really get to know what he is all about

[@Yvette54100]

Such an honest conversation! His perspective is so refreshing and helpful to the aspiring actor/actress. I really, really learned a lot.

[@daphnegabriel4482]

Yvette54100 same! Learned a bunch!

[@kenkoolhimes]

Enjoyed this conversation. Great interview!

[@terencethomas6452]

This guys swagger is on another level

[@marlrycoffie3339]

He seems so spiritually grounded and focused. I see why he chose a wife and not be a playboy.❤️

[@aap2310]

he took care of his grandfather that's so wonderful

[@shireen2296]

I've been a fan of Mahershala since his first episode on House of Cards - he is an incredible actor and he deserves all of the accolades he's got in the last few years. He's been so lucky/successfuly and yet he is so humble and grounded.

[@moonskeetz]

Can't wait see him in a leading roll.

[@shakara1607]

Have you been watching True Detective season 3 ?

[@cybersylv]

Love, love, love this man! He is honest, kind, intelligent, giving, talented and so emotionally mature. Such a beautiful person ☺️☺️☺️

[@thefuturegoat5769]

I will only remember this man as Cornell Stokes (AKA Cottonmouth) from Luke Cage. He played that role with excellence!

[@stefonlyne]

A Real Stand Up Guy and great Actor! Always inspiring!

[@user-hw9tr7cf1v]

Such a smart man and great actor. Like how he shares his personal unpolished thoughts and feelings about actor's real life experience. Inspiration!

[@nullunit]

Need more thumbs to up, dude is great.

[@HovaNirvana]

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR!!!! Congratulations on the Oscar my dude!

[@zanaleezee]

He's headed for big things and I have throroughly enjoyed watching his journey. Good luck at the Oscars! XXX

[@yvetterodriguez9411]

Wow, I like him more now after seeing and hearing him speak and being so honest and humble. He's someone to really pay attention to. What a heart and soul. Love his way of speaking and telling stories and acknowledging the people he's worked with. Thank you, Mr. Ali.

[@1Cyberix]

Very interesting to hear Mr Ali speak of his career this far, looking forward to see more of this great actor. Thank you.

[@Thomasdarya]

Watching this in October 2022 this man is one of the greatest actors of his generation

[@heru9605]

This man can, talk! Lol Happy for him tho. Great stories.

[@Dennis_K09]

I know right, he was telling a novel. lol

[@ElefitTV]

I just know this is going to be good, bless your soul for sharing this. Thank you

[@BreSutherlandTV]

Love this guy! Such a brilliant actor!

[@shacurawade6280]

Another Aquarius ♒️ great insight!

[@adrianconlon]

I love this actor. Thanks a lot.

[@kennethcarvalho3684]

This guy looks really steady stable and in control of himself

[@PoppyDog]

Remy Danton is one of the most memorable characters to have ever been created on TV. House of Cards will be poorer without Mahershala...

[@GDSprodify]

Vinay Chandra Same, Remy Got Me Into Mahershala Then I Started Noticing Him In Other Films Before HOC, And HOC Is My Current Favorite TV Show.

[@jennifercummings9732]

I have been watching Mr. Ali since the 4400 and anything he's doing.

[@oeu3669]

This man... he inspires me so so so so mu chi I could CRY. I would LOVE To meet him and would LOVE To work with him. He is SUCH A DISTINGUISHED HUMAN BEING. A LEGEND. Such a NOBLE character 🧡🧡❤️❤️🧡🧡❤️❤️

[@ArtMo444]

I love these!!

[@ryavelli_]

Very inspirational; congratulations on all your success!!!

[@jali276]

Yay Hershal....proud of you! #RepresentHayward #MEHS

[@melindamullins9971]

hes so beautiful/handsome and talented.

[@shacurawade6280]

We don’t do competition. We see it as pointless. When we all have a path & purpose to walk. No one can intervene with that.

[@13CL456]

It's always so weird when you find out an actor actually doesn't speak with the accent you saw them use in a role. The only performance I'd ever seen Ali in (that I remember) was "Predators", where he plays an RUF "death squad" soldier from Sierra Leone, and, as I knew nothing about his background, I had assumed that was his actual accent. Granted, I'm not an expert in African accents, but it was authentic enough to me that I assumed it was his actual accent.

[@winterramos4527]

Watch the 3rd season of True Detective. He's brilliant

[@ExistNNature]

He seems to be really laid back

[@superflyTv94]

FINALLY!!!

[@callummurphy7170]

his speaking voice reminds me of frank ocean's

[@stephisteti]

i didn't know he was from the Bay Area!?

[@millerfour2071]

58:00, 1:08:20, 1:15:23, 1:17:00

[@LilAlpo1]

What's HER name ?

[@wewhodreamofbetter]

Jenelle Riley.

[@cybersylv]

She does the most amazing interview with Adam Driver. You should check it out!