One of Hollywood's most in-demand talents, Mahershala Ali's career is long and storied. After appearing primarily in television roles throughout the early 2000s, most notable of which was as Richard Tyler on The 4400, Ali gained greater recognition as he transitioned from work in television to work in films.
Since his award-winning performances of the 2010s, Ali has shown no signs of narrowing his range or slowing down. Appearing in everything from streaming comedies to animated blockbusters, here are his best roles.
The Place Beyond The Pines (2012) - 7.3
Set in upstate New York, The Place Beyond The Pines tracks three separate storylines led by Luke (Ryan Gosling), a motorcycle stunt rider, Avery (Bradley Cooper), an ambitious politician, and their sons, Jason and A.J. (Dane DeHaan and Emory Cohen).
Ali plays Kofi, the boyfriend of Luke's ex-lover and Jason's mother, Romina (Eva Mendes). The film was well-received by critics, appearing on several top 10 lists for the year. The rest of the cast includes Ben Mendelsohn (Rogue One), Rose Byrne (Neighbors), and Ray Liotta (Goodfellas).
Moonlight (2016) - 7.4
Known as the movie that brought director Barry Jenkins, Tarell Alvin McCraney, and Mahershala Ali to international critical attention, Moonlight follows young Floridian Chiron at three separate stages in his life as he comes to terms with his sexuality, identity, and childhood traumas.
For his role as Juan, the drug dealer with a heart of gold and Chiron's friend, Ali became the first Muslim to win an acting Oscar. In addition to Ali's win, the film also won Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Picture, the latter of which was incorrectly announced as La La Land before Moonlight was revealed as the winner.
The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button (2008) - 7.8
Considered one of David Fincher's best movies, The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button tells the story of the titular character, primarily played by Brad Pitt, a man who ages in reverse, and his relationship with Daisy Fuller, primarily played by Cate Blanchett.
In his feature film debut, Ali plays Tizzy Weathers, the cook at a nursing home where baby Benjamin is abandoned. The film was nominated for 13 Oscars and includes a cast of Taraji P. Henson (Empire), Tilda Swinton (Snowpiercer), and Jared Harris (Chernobyl).
Hidden Figures (2016) - 7.9
Loosely based on the non-fiction book of the same name, Hidden Figures is about the Black American female mathematicians working at NASA during the Space Race. The film is led by Octavia Spencer (The Help), Janelle Monáe (Antebellum), and Taraji P. Henson in one of her best movies.
Ali plays Jim Johnson, a military officer and love interest of Taraji P. Henson's character Katherine Johnson. The film was nominated for three Oscars, including Best Picture, and was amongst the most profitable films the year of its release, as per Deadline.
Ramy (2020) - 8.0
Taking place in a New Jersey suburb, Ramy follows the titular character, an American Muslim torn between his Egyptian identity and the qualities of the younger generation he belongs to. Similar to other modern half-hour dramedy shows, the main actor and show creator Ramy Youssef plays a dramatized version of himself.
Ali has a recurring part in the second season as Sheikh Ali Malik, Ramy's spiritual mentor and father of Zainab (MaameYaa Baofo), Ramy's love interest. The show has been nominated for three Emmys, and Youssef won a Golden Globe for Best Comedy Actor in a surprising upset for Ramy's first season.
Treme (2011 - 2012) - 8.2
From the creator of The Wire David Simon, Treme looks at the lives of New Orleans residents in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Throughout its four seasons, the cast includes the likes of Melissa Leo (The Fighter), Steve Zahn (The White Lotus), and John Goodman (10 Cloverfield Lane).
For two seasons, Ali played Anthony King, a private investigator who helps Toni Bernette, Melissa Leo's character, on an important case. One of the most underrated shows of the 2010s, Treme was nominated for six Emmys over the course of its run.
Green Book (2018) - 8.2
Green Book follows Don Shirley, played by Ali, a Black American classical and jazz pianist who goes on a concert tour through the 1960s American South alongside his Italian American driver Tony Lip, played by Viggo Mortensen. Despite their differences, they form newfound respect for each other during their journey.
Two years after winning his first Oscar for Moonlight, Ali won another for his portrayal of Shirley, becoming only the second black actor to win two Oscars next to Denzel Washington. The cast also includes Linda Cardellini (Freaks And Geeks) and Sebastian Maniscalco (The Irishman).
Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse (2018) - 8.4
The animated feature Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse focuses on Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) as Spider-Man, though a version of Peter Parker is still in the picture. After Miles gains abilities similar to Parker's, he must take on Kingpin and stop him from tearing apart the fabric of his universe with a collider.
In the Oscar-winning film, Ali plays Miles' Uncle Aaron, who is with him when he gets bit by a spider and has more going on underneath the surface than first appears. Other notable members of the voice cast include Jake Johnson (New Girl), Brian Tyree Henry (Atlanta), and Hailee Steinfeld (Hawkeye).
House Of Cards (2013 - 2016) - 8.7
Against the backdrop of Washington D.C., House Of Cards follows the journey of Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey), a ruthless congressman from South Carolina, and his equally conniving wife Claire Underwood (Robin Wright), as they climb the ladder of political power, no matter the cost.
For four seasons Ali played Remi Denton, a lawyer/lobbyist who was previously the Communications Director for Underwood's congressional office. The rest of the cast includes Kate Mara (The Martian), Michael Kelly (Chronicle), and Nathan Darrow (Gotham).
True Detective (2019) - 8.9
An anthology crime drama, True Detective studies a new crime each season, led by different teams of detectives in each location. The first season took place in Louisianna, the second in California, and the third in the Ozarks, with the third season led by Mahershala Ali and Stephen Dorff (Blade).
After a dismally reviewed second season, Ali's performance as Wayne Hays, one of the best True Detective characters, helped the show regain its critical reputation and earned him an Emmy nomination to boot. The rest of the cast for Ali's season includes Carmen Ejogo (Selma), Scoot McNairy (Argo), and Ray Fisher (Justice League).