Mahershala Ali’s Career: From ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’ to ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’

Mahershala Ali has firmly established himself as one of the most respected and accomplished actors of his generation. He achieved a remarkable rise in the industry, highlighted by his historic achievement of winning two Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actor within just a few years. His career is defined by the incredible depth, nuance, and humanity he brings to every character, consistently delivering powerful and memorable performances.

His journey has been marked by a seamless transition between television and film, where he has excelled in a wide variety of genres. He began with steady work in television before moving into impactful supporting roles in major films and critically acclaimed independent features. Now a certified leading man, he has proven his versatility in everything from superhero franchises and sci-fi blockbusters to intimate dramas, showcasing a range that makes him a captivating presence in any project.

‘Crossing Jordan’ (2001–2002)

This television crime drama centers on Dr. Jordan Cavanaugh, a brilliant and driven medical examiner working in the Boston Medical Examiner’s Office. Haunted by her mother’s murder years earlier, she often goes beyond her official duties to solve crimes, frequently clashing with police and her superiors in her passionate pursuit of justice for the victims.

Mahershala Ali had one of his first major recurring roles in the show’s first season as Dr. Trey Sanders. He was part of the medical examiner’s office staff, working alongside the other characters. His role as the dedicated and professional Dr. Sanders helped establish him as a familiar face to television audiences early in his career.

‘The 4400’ (2004–2007)

This science fiction television series begins when a comet suddenly changes course and lands on Earth, revealing not a celestial object but a group of 4400 people who had vanished over the previous 60 years. None of them have aged, and they have no memory of what happened to them, but many soon begin to develop supernatural abilities.

Ali played the lead role of Richard Tyler, a U.S. Army pilot from the Korean War who was one of the 4400 returnees. His character’s storyline was central to the series, as he grappled with his new ability of telekinesis and became a prominent figure in the returnee community. His relationship with another returnee and their mysteriously conceived child was a major focus of the show’s overarching plot.

‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’ (2008)

The film tells the extraordinary life story of a man who is born in his eighties and ages backwards. The narrative follows Benjamin Button as he navigates the world in his unusual condition, experiencing love, loss, and the passage of time in a way that is entirely unique. His journey is a poignant exploration of life and mortality.

Ali plays the character of Tizzy Weathers, a close friend and co-worker of Benjamin’s father. He is a kind and compassionate figure who teaches a young-looking but physically old Benjamin how to walk and becomes a mentor and father figure to him in his early years. Ali was credited in the film under his full name, Mahershalalhashbaz Ali.

‘Crossing Over’ (2009)

This drama explores the lives of a diverse group of immigrants struggling to gain legal status in Los Angeles. The film features multiple intersecting storylines, examining the challenges and complexities of the U.S. immigration system from various perspectives, including those of law enforcement, legal professionals, and the immigrants themselves.

Mahershala Ali portrays Detective Strickland, a law enforcement officer involved in one of the central storylines. His character is the partner of an immigration adjudicator whose compassion for a young woman’s case leads to a tragic series of events. Strickland represents the official side of the law, investigating the fallout from these interconnected lives.

‘Predators’ (2010)

In this science fiction action film, a group of elite warriors and deadly criminals from different parts of the world find themselves mysteriously transported to a dense alien jungle. They soon realize they have been brought to a game preserve planet to be hunted by a new and more ruthless breed of the Predator species. The group must band together to survive.

Ali plays Mombasa, a skilled soldier from a Revolutionary United Front death squad in Sierra Leone. He is one of the formidable fighters chosen as prey, known for his calm demeanor and deadly efficiency. His character is a capable warrior who uses his experience to help the group fight back against the extraterrestrial hunters.

‘The Place Beyond the Pines’ (2012)

This crime drama is told in three distinct acts that explore the interconnected lives of two men and the legacy their actions leave for their sons. The first part follows a motorcycle stunt rider who turns to robbing banks to support his infant son. The second part focuses on an ambitious rookie cop who crosses paths with him.

Ali plays Kofi, the romantic partner of the stunt rider’s former lover, Romina. He becomes the stepfather to her child, creating a complex and tense family dynamic. Though he is not the biological father, Kofi provides a stable home for the boy, and his presence is a major factor in the protagonist’s desperate decisions.

‘House of Cards’ (2013–2016)

This political thriller series chronicles the ruthless ambition of Congressman Frank Underwood and his wife, Claire, as they scheme their way to the highest levels of power in Washington, D.C. The show is a dark and cynical look at the world of politics, filled with manipulation, betrayal, and intricate power plays.

Mahershala Ali had a breakout role as Remy Danton, a sharp and sophisticated lobbyist who was once Frank Underwood’s press secretary. Remy is a key player in the political games, often working for and against Frank at different times. His character is a cool and calculating operator who navigates the corridors of power with skill and confidence.

‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1’ (2014)

The third film in the franchise finds Katniss Everdeen in the underground District 13 after shattering the Hunger Games forever. Under the leadership of President Coin, Katniss becomes the Mockingjay, the symbolic leader of the rebellion against the oppressive Capitol. The film focuses on the propaganda war and the early stages of the uprising.

Ali joined the franchise as Boggs, the loyal and high-ranking military commander from District 13. He serves as a bodyguard and advisor to Katniss, tasked with protecting the Mockingjay. His character is a stern but principled soldier who becomes a trusted ally to Katniss as she grows into her role as a revolutionary figure.

‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2’ (2015)

The final installment of the series sees the rebellion escalate into an all-out war against the Capitol. Katniss Everdeen, along with a team of her closest friends and allies, embarks on a dangerous mission to assassinate the tyrannical President Snow. Their journey takes them through the booby-trapped streets of the Capitol itself.

Ali reprises his role as Boggs, who leads the elite military squad known as the Star Squad on their mission. He plays a crucial role in the initial stages of the infiltration, guiding the team and protecting Katniss. His character’s leadership and strategic thinking are vital to the mission’s progress through the heavily fortified city.

‘Free State of Jones’ (2016)

This historical drama is based on the true story of Newton Knight, a poor farmer from Mississippi who led an armed rebellion against the Confederacy during the American Civil War. He and his followers, a group of fellow deserters and formerly enslaved people, carved out their own territory known as the Free State of Jones.

Ali gives a powerful performance as Moses, an escaped slave who becomes one of Knight’s closest allies and a key leader in the community they build. His character fights for the freedom and rights of his people, both during and after the war. The story highlights his struggle for equality in the face of immense prejudice.

‘Moonlight’ (2016)

This acclaimed coming-of-age drama chronicles the life of a young black man named Chiron through three defining chapters of his life. The film explores his childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood as he grapples with his identity, sexuality, and place in the world while growing up in a rough neighborhood of Miami.

Ali plays Juan, a kind and charismatic drug dealer who becomes a compassionate father figure to young Chiron. Despite his profession, Juan provides Chiron with moments of guidance, support, and tenderness that are otherwise absent from his life. This role earned Ali his first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

‘Hidden Figures’ (2016)

The film tells the inspiring true story of three brilliant African-American women who were essential to the early years of the U.S. space program. Working at NASA as “human computers,” they overcame racial and gender discrimination to play pivotal roles in the historic launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit.

Ali portrays Colonel Jim Johnson, a respected military officer who becomes the romantic interest of one of the main characters, Katherine Goble. Their courtship provides a personal storyline that highlights Katherine’s life outside of her groundbreaking work at NASA. His character is a supportive and charming presence in the film.

‘Luke Cage’ (2016)

This television series is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and follows a former convict with superhuman strength and unbreakable skin. After becoming a fugitive, Luke Cage tries to live a quiet life in Harlem, New York, but is soon pulled out of the shadows to fight for his city, forcing him to confront the past he tried to bury.

Mahershala Ali played the main antagonist of the first season, Cornell “Cottonmouth” Stokes. He is a charismatic and ruthless nightclub owner and crime lord who controls Harlem’s criminal underworld. His performance as the complex and stylish villain was widely praised, making Cottonmouth a memorable and formidable foe for the hero.

‘Green Book’ (2018)

Based on a true story, the film is set in the 1960s and follows the unlikely friendship between Dr. Don Shirley, a world-class African-American classical pianist, and Tony Vallelonga, a tough-talking Italian-American bouncer from the Bronx. Tony is hired to drive and protect Dr. Shirley on a concert tour through the deeply segregated American South.

Ali portrays the elegant, refined, and immensely talented Dr. Don Shirley. The film explores his experiences with racism and loneliness despite his genius and fame. Ali’s performance captured the musician’s dignity, complexity, and vulnerability, earning him his second Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ (2018)

This animated superhero film introduces Miles Morales, a Brooklyn teenager who becomes the new Spider-Man after the death of Peter Parker in his dimension. Miles soon discovers there are multiple Spider-People from other universes and must team up with them to stop a threat that could destroy all of their realities.

Ali provides the voice for Aaron Davis, Miles’s cool and charismatic uncle. Aaron appears to be a supportive figure in Miles’s life, but he is secretly living a double life as the villainous Prowler, an enforcer for the Kingpin. This complex relationship is a central emotional component of Miles’s origin story.

‘True Detective’ (2019)

The third season of this anthology crime drama series tells a dark and complex story of a macabre crime that takes place in the Ozarks region of Arkansas. The narrative unfolds over three separate time periods, following two state police detectives as they investigate the case of two missing children and grapple with its long-lasting effects on their lives.

Mahershala Ali stars as Wayne Hays, the lead detective whose memory of the case is fading in his old age. He delivers a commanding lead performance, portraying Hays across three decades as a young detective, a seasoned investigator, and an elderly man trying to piece together the truth that has haunted him his entire life.

‘Alita: Battle Angel’ (2019)

This cyberpunk action film is set in a distant future and follows Alita, a disembodied cyborg who is rebuilt by a compassionate doctor but has no memory of her past. As she navigates her new life in the dystopian Iron City, she discovers she possesses extraordinary fighting abilities and begins a journey to uncover her true identity.

Ali plays Vector, one of the film’s primary antagonists. He is a smooth and powerful broker who rigs the city’s popular and violent sport, Motorball. Vector acts as a proxy for the city’s mysterious and unseen ruler, Nova, making him a major obstacle for Alita as she challenges the city’s corrupt power structure.

‘Ramy’ (2020)

This comedy-drama series follows a first-generation Egyptian-American man named Ramy Hassan on his spiritual journey in his politically divided New Jersey neighborhood. The show explores the challenges of being caught between a Muslim community that sees life as a moral test and a millennial generation that doubts an afterlife exists.

In the second season, Mahershala Ali took on the significant guest role of Sheikh Ali Malik. He is the calm and insightful leader of a Sufi center that Ramy joins in an effort to deepen his faith. His character serves as a spiritual guide and mentor to Ramy, offering wisdom and guidance with a patient demeanor.

‘Swan Song’ (2021)

This science fiction drama is set in the near future and centers on a loving husband and father who is diagnosed with a terminal illness. To spare his family from grief, he is presented with a controversial alternative solution, to replace himself with a perfect carbon copy clone who has all of his memories.

Ali delivers a powerful dual performance in the lead roles of Cameron, the man who is dying, and Jack, his healthy clone. He is also a producer on the film. The story is an emotional and thought-provoking exploration of love, loss, and identity, as Cameron must decide whether to go through with the secret plan.

‘Leave the World Behind’ (2023)

This apocalyptic thriller follows a family whose vacation on Long Island is interrupted by two strangers who arrive at their rental home at night. The strangers claim to be the owners of the house and are seeking refuge from a mysterious cyberattack that has caused a widespread blackout. As the threat escalates, both families must decide if they can trust each other.

Ali plays G.H. Scott, the wealthy and sophisticated owner of the house. He and his daughter arrive unexpectedly, creating a tense and uncertain situation. His character possesses insight into the unfolding crisis, forcing the two families to confront their own biases and fears as society begins to collapse around them.

‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ (2025)

The latest installment in the dinosaur franchise takes the story in a bold new direction. Years after the events that saw dinosaurs released into the world, a well-funded global initiative seeks to create a new, isolated sanctuary where the creatures can live without threatening humanity. However, a rival corporation with its own agenda threatens the entire project.

Mahershala Ali stars as Dr. Aris Thorne, the brilliant and ethically-minded architect of the new sanctuary project. He is a visionary biologist who believes in co-existence but is forced to confront the harsh realities of corporate greed and the unpredictable nature of the dinosaurs. His character is central to the effort to prevent a new global catastrophe.

What is your most memorable Mahershala Ali performance? Let everyone know in the comments.