Marsai Martin
Marsai Martin | |
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 Martin in 2016 | |
| Born | Caila Marsai Martin August 14, 2004 Plano, Texas, U.S. |
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| Years active | 2013–present |
| Website | marsai |
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Caila Marsai Martin[1] (born August 14, 2004) is an American actress and producer. She is best known for her role as Diane Johnson on the ABC sitcom Black-ish (2014–present).
In 2019, Martin starred in the comedy film Little, which she also produced, becoming the youngest person to ever produce a movie. The same year, Time magazine named her on its "Time 100 Next".[2]
Early life[]
Martin was born in Plano, Texas,[3] the daughter of Carol and Joshua Martin.[4] Martin's acting career started after a glamour pictorial.[5] The photographer gave them discount in exchange for her father's promise that he would submit the photos taken to talent agencies.[5] The photos were sent out to four agencies and one of these immediately signed her.[5] At age five, she landed her first national commercial for Choice Hotel.[6][better source needed] Her family then moved to Los Angeles in 2013 so she could pursue an acting career.[7]
Career[]
 | This section needs to be updated. The reason given is: this section features outdated statistics. (March 2021) |
In 2014, Martin was cast as Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross's daughter on the ABC sitcom Black-ish created by Kenya Barris. For her breakthrough role, Martin has received numerous awards and nominations, including three NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series[8][9][10] and a Young Artist Award.[7] She has received six NAACP Image Awards nominations and two Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series.
In 2016, Martin made her film debut playing a leading role in the Amazon Studios original film An American Girl Story – Melody 1963: Love Has to Win set in Detroit during the Civil Rights Movement, that same year she did a voice role for the movie "Nina" the life story of American artist and activist Nina Simone.[11] In 2019, Martin starred in her first studio feature film, the comedy Little, for Universal Pictures. At the age of 13, she became executive producer of the film, making her the youngest person to ever produce a movie, as well the youngest African-American producer.[12][13][14][15]
In February 2019, Genius Productions, Martin's company, signed a first-look production deal with Universal. Martin's first film as part of the deal is StepMonster, a comedy about a teenage girl who is adjusting to life with a new stepmother.[16] She is the youngest person to get a first-look deal at Universal, and the youngest person to get a deal at any studio.[17] In May 2019, it was announced Martin would be producing and starring in the film adaption of Amari and the Night Brothers for Universal Pictures.[18] In December 2019, it was announced that Martin would be producing the comedy film Queen.[19][20]
Filmography[]
Film[]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Nina | Young Girl on Tape | |
| 2016 | An American Girl Story – Melody 1963: Love Has to Win | Melody Ellison | Direct-to-video BET Awards — YoungStars Award |
| 2017 | Fun Mom Dinner | Hannah | |
| 2017 | Lemonade Mafia | Kira Anderson | Short film |
| 2019 | Little | Young Jordan Sanders | Also executive producer NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in Motion Picture Nominated — MTV Movie & TV Awards for Best Comedic Performance Nominated — Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actress – Comedy |
| 2021 | Spirit Untamed | Prudence "Pru" Granger (voice) | |
| 2021 | PAW Patrol: The Movie | Liberty (voice) | |
| TBA | Amari And The Night Brothers | Amari |
Television[]
Awards and nominations[]
References[]
- ^ Kovan, Brianna (March 21, 2019). "Marsai Martin Is Making Big-Time, Big-Screen Moves". Retrieved 2021-03-30.
- ^ "TIME 100 Next 2019: Marsai Martin".
- ^ Burkes, Dawn M. (Dec 10, 2018). "Plano native named one of Time magazine's 'Most Influential Teens of 2018'".
- ^ "Teen mogul Marsai Martin on "Little"". CBS News. March 31, 2019.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c "Meet Marsai Martin, The Youngest Executive Producer In Hollywood". NPR.org. Retrieved 2019-04-22.
- ^ Peck, Patrice. "A Brief Explainer Of Marsai Martin For Those Of You Who Don't Know Who She Is". BuzzFeed. Retrieved 2019-04-22.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Marsai Mart asked was in as Diane Johnson - black-ish". ABC. Archived from the original on 29 January 2018. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
- ^ "NAACP Winners 2020: The Complete List". Feb 22, 2020. Retrieved 2021-03-30.
- ^ "NAACP Image Awards: The Complete Winners List". Jan 15, 2018. Retrieved 2021-03-30.
- ^ "'Straight Outta Compton,' 'Empire,' Michael B. Jordan Top NAACP Image Awards". Feb 5, 2016. Retrieved 2021-03-30.
- ^ Cavassuto, Maria (25 August 2016). "TV News Roundup: Amazon Casts 'Black-ish' Star as First American Girl; Tracey Ullman Returning to HBO". Retrieved 28 January 2018.
- ^ "'Black-ish' Breakout Marsai Martin to Star in 'Little' for Will Packer, Kenya Barris (Exclusive)". 24 January 2018. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
- ^ McNary, Dave (25 January 2018). "Film News Roundup: 'Black-ish' Star Marsai Martin's Comedy 'Little' in Development". Retrieved 28 January 2018.
- ^ ""Black-ish's" Marsai Martin to Star in and Exec Produce Tina Gordon Comedy". 25 January 2018. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
- ^ Harriot, Michael. "#BlackGirlMagic: Black-ish Star Marsai Martin Set to Become Youngest Executive Producer in Hollywood History". The Grapevine. Retrieved 2019-01-29.
- ^ "Marsai Martin Signs First-Look Production Deal With Universal To Develop New Projects, Sets New Film 'StepMonster'". shadowandact.com.
- ^ "'Black-ish' Star Marsai Martin Inks First-Look Deal With Universal (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. 7 February 2019.
- ^ "Mandeville, Marsai Martin Team for Fantasy 'Amari and the Night Brothers' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. 29 May 2019.
- ^ "Marsai Martin Sets New Project at Universal With Comedy 'Queen' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. 19 December 2019.
- ^ "Marsai Martin Producing New 'Queen' Comedy with Universal". 20 December 2019.
- ^ Marsai Martin Wins Well Deserved YoungStars Award! | BET Awards 2019
- ^ Ramos, Dino-Ray (February 23, 2020). "NAACP Image Awards: Lizzo Named Entertainer Of The Year; 'Just Mercy', 'Black-Ish', 'When They See Us' Among Top Honorees – Full Winners List".
External links[]
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- 2004 births
- Living people
- Actresses from Texas
- African-American actresses
- American film actresses
- American television actresses
- 21st-century American actresses
- African-American child actresses
- American child actresses
- African-American film producers
- American women film producers
- American voice actresses