Ali's accolade marks the first Oscar for 'Green Book' that night and he now becomes the first black actor and Muslim to win the best supporting actor twice.
- Feb 25, 2019
AceShowbiz - Mahershala Ali has won his second Academy Award. The actor was dubbed the Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his portrayal of Don Shirley in "Green Book", edging out Adam Driver ("BlacKkKlansman"), Sam Elliott ("A Star Is Born"), Richard E. Grant ("Can You Ever Forgive Me?") and Sam Rockwell ("Vice (2018)").
It's the second Oscar for Ali, who won his first in the same category in 2017 for his role in "Moonlight". He is now the first black actor and Muslim to win the best supporting actor twice. Denzel Washington is the only other black actor to win an Oscar more than once.
Ali thanked Shirley himself as well as director Peter Farrelly for his "leadership and guidance." He then dedicated the award to his grandmother, whose advice has helped shape his career. He said her advice that "if I don't at first succeed, try, try again. I can do anything I put my mind to" has always been pushing him "to think positively." He added, "She has got me over the hump every step of the way."
See Mahershala Ali's full #Oscars speech. pic.twitter.com/l9mGVvt7Rk
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) February 25, 2019
Also celebrating its win was "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" after it was named Best Animated Feature Film. Producer Phil Lord said onstage, when "somebody's kid was watching the movie and turned to them, and said, 'He looks like me,' or 'They speak Spanish like us,' we feel like we already won." Co-director Peter Ramsey credited the "powerful" audience, adding, "This world needs you. We're all counting on you."
Spider-Verse wins it! “When a kid says ‘he looks like me,’ or ‘he speaks Spanish like us,’ we feel like we already won.” https://t.co/PPCtw2CXNs#oscarspic.twitter.com/UkNJKix7hE
— Hollywood Reporter (@THR) February 25, 2019
Animated Short Film went to "Bao", which was directed and written by Domee Shi and produced by Becky Neiman-Cobb. Shi used her speech to encourage girls to pursue their dreams. "To all the nerdy girls out there who hide behind their sketchbooks, don't be afraid to tell your stories to the world," she said.
"Period. End of Sentence." came out as Best Documentary Short Subject winner. The movie about Indian women leading a quiet sexual revolution was directed by Rayka Zehtabchi, who quipped as she accepted the award, "I can't believe a film about menstruation just won an Oscar."
"First Man" has also scored its first Oscar for Best Visual Effects, after being beaten out by "Black Panther" in Best Production Design category, and losing out Best Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing to "Bohemian Rhapsody".
"Skin", meanwhile, was announced as the Best Live Action Short Film.
More winners, including the coveted Best Picture, will be announced at the live telecast which airs on ABC.
