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Marsai Martin

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Marsai Martin
Martin in 2016
Born
Caila Marsai Martin

(2004-08-14) August 14, 2004 (age 20)
Plano, Texas, U.S.
Occupations
  • Actress
  • producer
Years active2014–present
Websitemarsai.com
Signature

Caila Marsai Martin[1] (/ˈmɑːrseɪ/ MAR-say;[2] born August 14, 2004)[3] is an American actress and producer, best known for her role as Diane Johnson on the ABC sitcom Black-ish (2014–2022).

In 2019, Martin had a starring role in the comedy film Little, which she also produced, becoming the youngest person ever to produce a studio film. The same year, Time magazine named her on its "Time 100 Next".[4] In 2022, she produced and starred in the sports comedy film, Fantasy Football.

Early life

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Martin was born in Plano, Texas, to [5] Carol and Joshua Martin.[6] Martin's acting career started after a glamour pictorial,[7] in which the photographer gave Martin's parents a discount in exchange for her father's promise that he would submit the photos to talent agencies.[7] The photos were sent out to four agencies and one immediately signed her.[7] At age five, Martin landed her first national commercial for Choice Hotel.[8][9] Her family then moved to Los Angeles in 2013, so she could pursue an acting career.[10]

Career

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In 2014, Martin was cast as Diane Johnson, the daughter of Andre (Anthony Anderson) and Rainbow Johnson (Tracee Ellis Ross) 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[11][12][13] and a Young Artist Award.[10] 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, which tells the life story of American artist and activist Nina Simone.[14] 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 as the youngest African-American producer.[15][16][17][18]

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.[19] She is the youngest person to get a first-look deal at Universal, and the youngest person to get a deal at any studio.[20] In May 2019, it was announced Martin would be producing and starring in the film adaptation of Amari and the Night Brothers for Universal Pictures.[21] In December 2019, it was announced that Martin would be producing the comedy film Queen.[22][23] She voiced the character Liberty in the 2021 film PAW Patrol: The Movie and the 2023 sequel film PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie.[24][25] In April 2022, it was announced that Martin would star alongside Kelly Rowland and Omari Hardwick in the comedy film Fantasy Football.[26] In 2023, she produced Saturdays, a coming-of-age comedy television series for Disney Channel.[27][28]

In 2024, Martin competed in season twelve of The Masked Singer as "Woodpecker" where Jenifer Lewis (who portrayed "Miss Cleocatra" back in season eleven) served as her Mask Ambassador. She was eliminated in the Group A finals alongside Paula Cole as "Ship". Martin is the youngest ever contestant after beating out JoJo Siwa as "T-Rex" and Honey Boo Boo as one half of "Beach Ball".[29]

Personal life

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Martin is currently in a relationship with NASCAR driver Rajah Caruth.[30]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2016 Nina Young Girl on Tape
An American Girl Story – Melody 1963: Love Has to Win Melody Ellison Direct-to-video
2017 Fun Mom Dinner Hannah
Lemonade Mafia Kira Anderson Short film
2019 Little Young Jordan Sanders
2021 Spirit Untamed Prudence "Pru" Granger (voice)
PAW Patrol: The Movie Liberty (voice)
2022 Fantasy Football Callie Coleman Also producer
2023 PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie Liberty (voice)
Good Burger 2 Friendly Customer
TBA G20 TBA Post-production

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2014–2022 Black-ish Diane Johnson Main role
2015–2016 Goldie & Bear Jill (voice) 4 episodes
2016 The Mr. Peabody & Sherman Show Anissa (voice) 2 episodes
2016–2019 Elena of Avalor Caterina (voice)
2018 Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt Aisha Episode: "Kimmy and the Beest"
2019 Mixed-ish Diane Johnson Episode: "Becoming Bow"
A Black Lady Sketch Show Reniece Episode: "Born at Night, But Not Last Night"
2019–2020 Vampirina Frankie Bolt (voice) 2 episodes
2019–2022 DreamWorks Dragons: Rescue Riders Aggro (voice) Main role
2022 Wild 'n Out Herself 1 episode
The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder Iyanna (voice) Episode: "Get In"
The Hair Tales Herself
2023 Saturdays — Executive producer
2024 Good Times: Black Again Grey (voice) Main role
Lego Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy Yesi Scala (voice)
The Masked Singer Herself/Woodpecker Season 12 contestant

Awards and nominations

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Year Association Category Nominated work Result
2015 Young Artist Awards Best Performance in a TV Series – Supporting Young Actress Black-ish Nominated
2016 Nominated
Outstanding Young Ensemble Cast in a Television Series Nominated
NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Mini-series) Nominated
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Won
2017 Nominated
Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Mini-series) Won
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Nominated
BET Awards YoungStars Award Black-ish, Melody 1963: Love Has to Win Nominated
2018 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Black-ish Nominated
BET Awards YoungStars Award Nominated
Kidscreen Awards Best Acting Melody 1963: Love Has to Win Won
NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Mini-series) Black-ish Nominated
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Won
2019 Shorty Awards
 Phenom Award – Entertainment Won
NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Black-ish Won
Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Mini-series) Won
Black Reel Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress, Comedy Series Nominated
BET Awards[31] YoungStars Award Won
2019 MTV Movie & TV Awards Best Comedic Performance Little Nominated
Teen Choice Awards Choice Movie Actress – Comedy Nominated
2020[32] NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Black-ish Won
Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Mini-series) Won
NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture Little Won
Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in Motion Picture Won

References

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  1. ^ Kovan, Brianna (March 21, 2019). "Marsai Martin Is Making Big-Time, Big-Screen Moves". Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  2. ^ Marsai Martin (May 31, 2023). it's been a minute. Event occurs at 6:29. Retrieved July 1, 2023. Hi everybody, I'm Marsai Martin.
  3. ^ Delgado, Sara (August 16, 2022). "Marsai Martin Threw a Shrek-Themed, Star-Studded Party for Her 18th Birthday". Teen Vogue. Condé Nast. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  4. ^ "TIME 100 Next 2019: Marsai Martin". Time.
  5. ^ Burkes, Dawn M. (December 10, 2018). "Plano native named one of Time magazine's 'Most Influential Teens of 2018'".
  6. ^ "Teen mogul Marsai Martin on "Little"". CBS News. March 31, 2019.
  7. ^ a b c "Meet Marsai Martin, The Youngest Executive Producer In Hollywood". NPR.org. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
  8. ^ Peck, Patrice (April 11, 2019). "A Brief Explainer Of Marsai Martin For Those Of You Who Don't Know Who She Is". BuzzFeed. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
  9. ^ "MARSAI MARTIN SITS DOWN FOR AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH ASSIGNMENT X". January 19, 2017. Retrieved May 27, 2018.
  10. ^ a b "Marsai Mart asked was in as Diane Johnson – black-ish". ABC. Archived from the original on January 29, 2018. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  11. ^ "NAACP Winners 2020: The Complete List". February 22, 2020. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  12. ^ "NAACP Image Awards: The Complete Winners List". January 15, 2018. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  13. ^ "'Straight Outta Compton,' 'Empire,' Michael B. Jordan Top NAACP Image Awards". February 5, 2016. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  14. ^ Cavassuto, Maria (August 25, 2016). "TV News Roundup: Amazon Casts 'Black-ish' Star as First American Girl; Tracey Ullman Returning to HBO". Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  15. ^ "'Black-ish' Breakout Marsai Martin to Star in 'Little' for Will Packer, Kenya Barris (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. January 24, 2018. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  16. ^ McNary, Dave (January 25, 2018). "Film News Roundup: 'Black-ish' Star Marsai Martin's Comedy 'Little' in Development". Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  17. ^ ""Black-ish's" Marsai Martin to Star in and Exec Produce Tina Gordon Comedy". January 25, 2018. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  18. ^ Harriot, Michael (January 9, 2019). "#BlackGirlMagic: Black-ish Star Marsai Martin Set to Become Youngest Executive Producer in Hollywood History". The Grapevine. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
  19. ^ "Marsai Martin Signs First-Look Production Deal With Universal To Develop New Projects, Sets New Film 'StepMonster'". shadowandact.com.
  20. ^ "'Black-ish' Star Marsai Martin Inks First-Look Deal With Universal (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. February 7, 2019.
  21. ^ "Mandeville, Marsai Martin Team for Fantasy 'Amari and the Night Brothers' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. May 29, 2019.
  22. ^ "Marsai Martin Sets New Project at Universal With Comedy 'Queen' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. December 19, 2019.
  23. ^ "Marsai Martin Producing New 'Queen' Comedy with Universal". December 20, 2019.
  24. ^ "Watch The Pups Get Their Powers In This Preciousness-Packed 'Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie' Clip". bossip.com.
  25. ^ "First Trailer Is Here For PAW PATROL: THE MIGHTY MOVIE Featuring Mckenna Grace, Taraji P. Henson, Chris Rock, Serena Williams And Lil Rel Howery". www.wearemoviegeeks.com.
  26. ^ "'Fantasy Football': Omari Hardwick, Kelly Rowland & Rome Flynn Board Sports Comedy From Nickelodeon And Awesomeness Films". Deadline. April 19, 2022.
  27. ^ Petski, Denise (March 11, 2021). "'Saturdays' Comedy Produced By 'Black-ish's Marsai Martin Gets Disney Channel Pilot Order".
  28. ^ Petski, Denise (November 30, 2021). "Marsai Martin's 'Saturdays' Comedy Pilot Picked Up To Series By Disney Channel".
  29. ^ Schneider, Michael (October 9, 2024). ""The Masked Singer" Reveals Identities of Ship and Woodpecker: Here Are the Celebrities Under the Costumes". Variety. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  30. ^ Foreman Jr., Tom (May 18, 2024). "Rajah Caruth earning attention after first NASCAR Truck Series win". JournalNow.com. Winston-Salem Journal. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  31. ^ "Marsai Martin Wins Well Deserved YoungStars Award! | BET Awards 2019" – via www.youtube.com.
  32. ^ 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".
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