Marsai Martin
Caila Marsai Martin (born August 14, 2004) is an American actress and executive producer. She is known for her role as Diane Johnson in the ABC comedy series Black-ish. She starred in the 2019 Universal Pictures comedy film Little, for which she was also an executive producer.[2] Martin is a nine-time NAACP Image Awards winner. Time included her on its "Time 100 Next" list in 2019.[3]
Marsai Martin | |
|---|---|
 Martin at the 85th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade in Hollywood | |
| Born | Caila Marsai Martin August 14, 2004 |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Actress, producer |
| Years active | 2013–present |
| Parent(s) |
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| Signature | |
 | |
Early life
Martin was born in Little Elm, Texas, the daughter of Carol and Joshua Martin.[4] Marsai'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] Her family then moved to Los Angeles in 2013 so she could pursue an acting career.[7]
Career
In 2014, Martin was cast opposite Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross in the ABC comedy series 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[6] 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.[8] 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 in Hollywood to ever produce a movie.[9][10][11][12]
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.[13] She is the youngest person to get a first-look deal at Universal, and the youngest person to get a deal at any studio.[14] 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.[15] In December 2019, it was announced that Martin would be producing the comedy film Queen.[16][17]
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 Winner — 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 | PAW Patrol: The Movie | TBA | Voice role |
| TBA | Amari And The Night Brothers | Amari |
Television
Awards and nominations
References
- Marsai Martin official bio
- Connley, Courtney (2019-04-13). "Marsai Martin is the youngest person to executive produce a studio film". www.cnbc.com. Retrieved 2019-04-22.
- https://time.com/collection/time-100-next-2019/5718850/marsai-martin/
- "Teen mogul Marsai Martin on "Little"". CBS News. March 31, 2019.
- "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.
- "Marsai Mart asked was in as Diane Johnson - black-ish". ABC. Archived from the original on 29 January 2018. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
- 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)". 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.
- "Mandeville, Marsai Martin Team for Fantasy 'Amari and the Night Brothers' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter.
- "Marsai Martin Sets New Project at Universal With Comedy 'Queen' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter.
- https://thesource.com/2019/12/20/marsai-martin-producing-new-queen-comedy-with-universal/
- 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".
