12 Things We Didn't Know About Oscar-Winner Mahershala Ali

Mahershala Ali stole the show at the 89th Academy Awards, after taking home the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Moonlight. And while you might have already known that, I bet you didn't know that the 43-year-old actor and performer has been quietly crushing it in Hollywood for the past decade. Here's a list of all the things you need to know about the movie star.

Before we get started, can you name the first movie you recognized him in? Leave a comment!

1. Mahershala's real name is "Mahershalalhashbaz Gilmore." It shouldn't be a surprise why he decided to shorten his name...

He was born in Oakland, California on February 16, 1974.

2. He played basketball at St. Mary's College of California, but said that he no longer thought of himself as an athlete by the time he graduated.

He was even good enough to receive an athletic scholarship.

3. In February of 1997, he auditioned for NYU's graduate acting program. 

He performed two monologues that day, and it was enough to get him in!

4. His first major film release was The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

He played the role of Tizzy Weathers, who stumbles upon baby Benjamin and takes him into his home.

5. By winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Moonlight, he also became the first Muslim actor to win an Oscar.

6. Before he earned mainstream Hollywood success, Mahershala was also a rapper performing under the name "Prince Ali". In 2007, he released an album called Curb Side Service.

Mahershala said that he makes an individual playlist for each character he plays.

7. He's also known for his role as Remy Danton on Netflix's House of Cards. According to GQ Magazine, Mahershala quit the role to take on a new challenge in his career.

He played the role from seasons 1-4 before moving on.

8. You might remember him as Colonel Boggs in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 and 2.

His strong and silent demeanor made him perfect for the role.

9. Most recently, he plays the villainous drug lord, Cornell Cottonmouth, in Netflix's Luke Cage.

10. His wife, Amatus Sami-Karim, is an actress, composer, and artist.

They met while he was studying for his Master's degree at NYU in 2000.

11. Just days before winning the Oscar, he and his wife welcomed their daughter into the world.

Their newborn baby is named Bari Najma Ali.

12. Mahershala has become one of the hottest names in Hollywood. Look out for him in 2017 with his role in Roxanne Roxanne, the story of a young female hip hop artist in Queens, New York.

Pretty cool, right Mahershala?

Which Mahershala moment was your favorite? Make sure to leave your answer in the comments!