Mahershala Ali Quotes

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Mahershala Ali

Profession : Actor

Birth : February 16, 1974

I got out of grad school in 2000. I was about 26 years old. I've always said that I was late to acting because I didn't really start doing it in a focused way until I was in my early 20s.

Mahershala Ali

A lot of actors know they want to be actors a little bit earlier on. I didn't even really start studying until I was about 22.

Mahershala Ali

In terms of pace, I think I just have to revisit my relationship with expectations. That has a little bit to do with comparing ourselves to other people and seeing other people's journey and seeing how they had a certain success at a certain age.

Mahershala Ali

The real guys that I knew were really cool people, who I played basketball with and traveled with on teams and knew their families and knew that they love their family. They just happen to do something that wasn't all the way legal, but it was a part of their life, and you knew that they hustled.

Mahershala Ali

I grew up on a wide range of stuff. OutKast, they been around for over 20 years, and some of the L.A. cats like Defari, Dilated Peoples and Likwit Crew. I was always going to these shows and catching the KRS-One tennis ball, as he would throw those out, EPMD. I could go on and on.

Mahershala Ali

At a earlier age, I was kind of into a pretty large scope or range of music from Hieroglyphics and the Hobo Junction guys and all that to like a lot of stuff that was in New York like Diamond D, Nas, Brand Nubian, of course Biggie, OC, Organized Confusion, Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Digable Planets, who I just saw recently, and they killed it.

Mahershala Ali

I'm so appreciative that people have begun to recognize my work in a way where it can afford me more opportunities.

Mahershala Ali

My manager called me and said, 'Hey, there's a series at Neflix.' I'm like, 'Netflix? Oh, boy.' At that time, it was just a strange thing to hear. It's like going, 'There's a series at Blockbuster.'

Mahershala Ali

When I was growing up, in the '80s and '90s, I just never really saw myself reflected in the things that I had a liking for. It makes a difference.

Mahershala Ali

The work that I do with all of my characters is have some sense of where they come from. I kind of create my own story for myself. What's going on with my parents? Are they alive? Or family - do I have children? Do you see those things or not?

Mahershala Ali

My dream role is Jack Johnson, the first black heavyweight champion.

Mahershala Ali

I was going to try to get into the creative writing program at Berkeley; it's just that the acting thing worked out.

Mahershala Ali

I love hip hop. It's such an appendage for me. It's something that's always shaped my experience out in the world.

Mahershala Ali

I think that black people, to a degree, need to have a certain level of dexterity. If we want to be at the highest level of whatever our field is, we have to be able to navigate both worlds. We all just know that you gotta be able to put that suit on and have a conversation with people that don't look like you or your family.

Mahershala Ali

I'm excited about 'Luke Cage' with Michael Colter, who plays Luke Cage. I play the villain, Cottonmouth. It takes place in Harlem. It'll just be amazing for people to get to see an African-American superhero, which there weren't any when I was growing up.

Mahershala Ali

If you're not careful as an actor, you can find yourself, at a certain point, a little bit bored.

Mahershala Ali

I really love Tom Hardy. He makes really interesting choices.

Mahershala Ali

I think Don Cheadle has always done great work.

Mahershala Ali

Viola Davis is a perfect example of somebody who's so much better than the parts she has the opportunity to play.

Mahershala Ali

I do think that there are people who are able to connect with and empathize with anyone who is going through something difficult, just naturally. I don't think it's a world of effort for everyone.

Mahershala Ali