Marsai Martin
{{Short description|American actress (born 2004)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Marsai Martin
| image = President Joe Biden is introduced by Marsai Martin at a Black Excellence brunch (53999868323) (cropped).jpg
| caption = Martin in 2024
| birth_name = Caila Marsai Martin
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2004|08|14}}
| birth_place = Plano, Texas, U.S.
| occupation = {{hlist|Actress|producer}}
| years_active = 2014–present
| partner =
| website = {{URL|marsai.com}}
| signature = Marsai Martin Autography.jpg
}}
Caila Marsai Martin{{cite web|first=Brianna |last=Kovan|date=March 21, 2019| title=Marsai Martin Is Making Big-Time, Big-Screen Moves|url=https://www.elle.com/culture/movies-tv/a26893844/marsai-martin-little-movie-blackish/|accessdate=March 30, 2021}} ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|m|ɑːr|s|eɪ}} {{respell|MAR|say}};{{cite AV media |people=Marsai Martin |date=31 May 2023 |title=it's been a minute |trans-title= |type= |language= |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JsPvT0xx0Q |access-date=1 July 2023 |archive-url= |archive-date= |format= |time=6:29 |location= |publisher= |id= |isbn= |oclc= |quote=Hi everybody, I'm Marsai Martin. |ref=}} born August 14, 2004){{cite web |last=Delgado |first=Sara |title=Marsai Martin Threw a Shrek-Themed, Star-Studded Party for Her 18th Birthday |url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/marsai-martin-threw-a-shrek-themed-party-for-her-18th-birthday |date=August 16, 2022 |website=Teen Vogue |publisher=Condé Nast |access-date=December 31, 2022}} 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 at the age of 14. She holds the Guinness World Record as the youngest Hollywood executive producer for the movie.{{Cite web |title=‘Black-Ish’ Star Sets Guinness Record As Hollywood’s Youngest Executive Producer At 14 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/carlieporterfield/2020/11/30/black-ish-star-sets-guinness-record-as-hollywoods-youngest-executive-producer-at-14/ |access-date=April 15, 2025 |website=Forbes }} Time magazine named her on its "Time 100 Next" the year of its release.{{Cite web|url=https://time.com/collection/time-100-next-2019/5718850/Marsai-martin/|title=TIME 100 Next 2019: Marsai Martin|website=Time}} In 2022, she produced and starred in the sports comedy film, Fantasy Football.
Early life
Martin was born in Plano, Texas {{cite web|last=Burkes |first=Dawn M. |date=December 10, 2018 |title=Plano native named one of Time magazine's 'Most Influential Teens of 2018'| url=https://www.dallasnews.com/arts-entertainment/tv/2018/12/10/plano-native-named-one-of-time-magazine-s-most-influential-teens-of-2018/}} to Carol and Joshua Martin.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/marsai-martin-the-black-ish-star-on-genius-productions-and-her-new-film-little/|title=Teen mogul Marsai Martin on "Little"|date=March 31, 2019|website=CBS News}} Martin's acting career was launched with a glamour pictorial,{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2019/04/11/711942538/meet-marsai-martin-the-youngest-executive-producer-in-hollywood|title=Meet Marsai Martin, The Youngest Executive Producer In Hollywood|website=NPR.org|language=en|access-date=April 22, 2019}} 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. The photos were sent out to four agencies and one immediately signed her. At age five, Martin landed her first national commercial for Choice Hotel.{{Cite web|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/patricepeck/who-is-marsai-martin-teen-actress-little-blackish|title=A Brief Explainer Of Marsai Martin For Those Of You Who Don't Know Who She Is|last=Peck|first=Patrice|website=BuzzFeed|date=April 11, 2019 |language=en|access-date=April 22, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://bckonline.com/2013/09/24/introducing-lyric-richard/|title=MARSAI MARTIN SITS DOWN FOR AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH ASSIGNMENT X|date=January 19, 2017|access-date=May 27, 2018}} Her family then moved to Los Angeles in 2013, so she could pursue an acting career.{{cite web|url=http://abc.go.com/shows/blackish/cast/diane-johnson|title=Marsai Mart asked was in as Diane Johnson – black-ish|website=ABC|access-date=January 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129140414/http://abc.go.com/shows/blackish/cast/diane-johnson|archive-date=January 29, 2018|url-status=dead}}
Career
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{{cite web| date=February 22, 2020| title=NAACP Winners 2020: The Complete List| url=https://variety.com/2020/film/awards/naacp-winners-list-2020-beyonce-rihanna-1203511871/| accessdate=March 30, 2021}}{{cite web|date=January 15, 2018| title=NAACP Image Awards: The Complete Winners List| url=https://variety.com/2018/film/awards/naacp-image-awards-2018-winners-list-1202664852/| accessdate=March 30, 2021}}{{cite web|date=February 5, 2016| title='Straight Outta Compton,' 'Empire,' Michael B. Jordan Top NAACP Image Awards| url=https://variety.com/2016/film/awards/naacp-awards-winners-list-image-creed-queen-latifah-1201698809/| accessdate=March 30, 2021}} and a Young Artist Award. She has received six NAACP Image Awards nominations and two Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series.
File:Regina Hall, Issa Rae, Marsai Martin, and Tina Gordon (2).jpg co-stars Regina Hall and Issa Rae and director Tina Gordon]]
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.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/tv-news-roundup-amazon-casts-marsai-martin-black-ish-american-girl-anthony-anderson-host-48th-naacp-image-awards-1201844742/|title=TV News Roundup: Amazon Casts 'Black-ish' Star as First American Girl; Tracey Ullman Returning to HBO|first=Maria|last=Cavassuto|date=August 25, 2016|access-date=January 28, 2018}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/black-ish-breakout-marsai-martin-star-little-will-packer-kenya-barris-1077902|title='Black-ish' Breakout Marsai Martin to Star in 'Little' for Will Packer, Kenya Barris (Exclusive)|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=January 24, 2018|access-date=January 28, 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/black-ish-star-marsai-martin-comedy-little-1202676162/|title=Film News Roundup: 'Black-ish' Star Marsai Martin's Comedy 'Little' in Development|first=Dave|last=McNary|date=January 25, 2018|access-date=January 28, 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://blog.womenandhollywood.com/black-ishs-marsai-martin-to-star-in-and-produce-tina-gordon-comedy-12124b87599e|title="Black-ish's" Marsai Martin to Star in and Exec Produce Tina Gordon Comedy|date=January 25, 2018|access-date=January 28, 2018}}{{Cite web|url=https://thegrapevine.theroot.com/blackgirlmagic-black-ish-star-marsai-martin-set-to-be-1831621480|title=#BlackGirlMagic: Black-ish Star Marsai Martin Set to Become Youngest Executive Producer in Hollywood History|last=Harriot|first=Michael|website=The Grapevine|date=January 9, 2019 |language=en-US|access-date=January 29, 2019}}
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.{{Cite web|url=https://shadowandact.com/marsai-martin-signs-first-look-production-deal-with-universal-to-develop-new-projects-sets-new-film-stepmonster|title=Marsai Martin Signs First-Look Production Deal With Universal To Develop New Projects, Sets New Film 'StepMonster'|website=shadowandact.com}} She is the youngest person to get a first-look deal at Universal, and the youngest person to get a deal at any studio.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/black-ish-star-marsai-martin-14-inks-deal-universal-1183745|title='Black-ish' Star Marsai Martin Inks First-Look Deal With Universal (Exclusive)|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=February 7, 2019}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/marsai-martin-produce-amari-night-brothers-1214115|title=Mandeville, Marsai Martin Team for Fantasy 'Amari and the Night Brothers' (Exclusive)|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=May 29, 2019}} In December 2019, it was announced that Martin would be producing the comedy film Queen.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/marsai-martin-sets-new-project-at-universal-comedy-queen-1264122|title=Marsai Martin Sets New Project at Universal With Comedy 'Queen' (Exclusive)|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=December 19, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://thesource.com/2019/12/20/marsai-martin-producing-new-queen-comedy-with-universal/|title = Marsai Martin Producing New 'Queen' Comedy with Universal|date = December 20, 2019}} She voiced the character Liberty in the 2021 film
PAW Patrol: The Movie and the 2023 sequel film PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie.{{cite web |title=Watch The Pups Get Their Powers In This Preciousness-Packed ‘Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie’ Clip |url=https://bossip.com/2421677/paw-patrol-the-mighty-movie/ |website=bossip.com}}{{cite web |title=First Trailer Is Here For PAW PATROL: THE MIGHTY MOVIE Featuring Mckenna Grace, Taraji P. Henson, Chris Rock, Serena Williams And Lil Rel Howery |url=https://www.wearemoviegeeks.com/2023/06/first-trailer-is-here-for-paw-patrol-the-mighty-movie-featuring-mckenna-grace-taraji-p-henson-chris-rock-serena-williams-and-lil-rel-howery/ |website=www.wearemoviegeeks.com}} In April 2022, it was announced that Martin would star alongside Kelly Rowland and Omari Hardwick in the comedy film Fantasy Football.{{Cite web|title='Fantasy Football': Omari Hardwick, Kelly Rowland & Rome Flynn Board Sports Comedy From Nickelodeon And Awesomeness Films|url=https://deadline.com/2022/04/omari-hardwick-kelly-rowland-rome-flynn-join-fantasy-football-1235005082/|website=Deadline|date=April 19, 2022 }} In 2023, she produced Saturdays, a coming-of-age comedy television series for Disney Channel. The show was canceled after one season.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/03/saturdays-comedy-black-ish-marsai-martin-norman-vance-jr-disney-channel-pilot-order-1234712165/|title=‘Saturdays’ Comedy Produced By ‘Black-ish’s Marsai Martin Gets Disney Channel Pilot Order|first=Denise|last=Petski|date=March 11, 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/11/marsai-martin-saturdays-comedy-pilot-picked-up-to-series-disney-channel-1234882024/|title=Marsai Martin’s ‘Saturdays’ Comedy Pilot Picked Up To Series By Disney Channel|first=Denise|last=Petski|date=November 30, 2021}}
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".
Personal life
Martin is currently in a relationship with NASCAR driver Rajah Caruth.{{Cite web |last=Foreman Jr. |first=Tom |date=May 18, 2024 |title=Rajah Caruth earning attention after first NASCAR Truck Series win |url=https://journalnow.com/rajah-caruth-earning-attention-after-first-nascar-truck-series-win/article_67060d74-147f-11ef-b324-5f00373efeb7.html |access-date=June 3, 2024 |website=JournalNow.com |publisher=Winston-Salem Journal}}
Filmography
= Film =
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! Notes |
|---|
| rowspan="2" | 2016
| Nina | Young Girl on Tape | |
| An American Girl Story – Melody 1963: Love Has to Win
| Melody Ellison | Direct-to-video |
| rowspan="2" | 2017
| Hannah | |
| Lemonade Mafia
| Kira Anderson | Short film |
| 2019
| Little | Young Jordan Sanders |
| rowspan="2" | 2021
| Prudence "Pru" Granger (voice) | |
| Paw Patrol: The Movie
| Liberty (voice) | |
| 2022
| Callie Coleman | Also producer |
| rowspan="2" | 2023
| Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie | Liberty (voice) | |
| Good Burger 2
| Friendly Customer | |
| 2025
| G20 | Serena Sutton | |
= Television =
| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes |
| 2014–2022
| Diane Johnson | Main role |
| 2015–2016
| Jill (voice) | 4 episodes |
| 2016
| The Mr. Peabody & Sherman Show | Anissa (voice) | rowspan="2" | 2 episodes |
| 2016–2019
| Caterina (voice) |
| 2018
| Aisha | Episode: "Kimmy and the Beest" |
| rowspan="2"| 2019
| Diane Johnson | Episode: "Becoming Bow" |
| A Black Lady Sketch Show
| Reniece | Episode: "Born at Night, But Not Last Night" |
| 2019–2020
| Frankie Bolt (voice) | 2 episodes |
| 2019–2022
| DreamWorks Dragons: Rescue Riders | Aggro (voice) | Main role |
| rowspan="3"| 2022
| Herself | 1 episode |
| The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder
| Iyanna (voice) | Episode: "Get In" |
| The Hair Tales
| Herself | |
| 2023
| {{n/a}} | Executive producer |
| rowspan="3"| 2024
| Grey (voice) | rowspan="2" | Main role |
| Lego Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy
| Yesi Scala (voice) |
| The Masked Singer
| Herself/Woodpecker | Season 12 contestant |
Awards and nominations
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{Official website|https://www.marsai.com/}}
- {{IMDb name|6343162}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for Marsai Martin
|list =
{{BET YoungStars Award}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited-series)}}
}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Martin, Marsai}}
Category:21st-century African-American actresses
Category:21st-century American actresses
Category:African-American child actresses
Category:African-American film producers
Category:American child actresses
Category:American film actresses
Category:American television actresses
Category:American voice actresses