Marsai Martin

Caila Marsai Martin (born August 14, 2004) is an American actress and producer, best known for her role as Diane Johnson on the ABC sitcom Black-ish (2014–2022).

Marsai Martin
Marsai Martin
Martin in 2016
Born
Caila Marsai Martin

(2004-08-14) August 14, 2004 (age 19)
Occupations
  • Actress
  • producer
Years active2014–present
Websitemarsai.com
Signature
Marsai Martin

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". In 2022, she starred and produced sports comedy film, Fantasy Football.

Early life

Martin was born in Plano, Texas, to African-American parents Carol and Joshua Martin. Martin's acting career started after a glamour pictorial, 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. Her family then moved to Los Angeles in 2013, so she could pursue an acting career.

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 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.

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. 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.

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. She is the youngest person to get a first-look deal at Universal, and the youngest person to get a deal at any studio. 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. In December 2019, it was announced that Martin would be producing the comedy film Queen. She voiced the character Liberty in the 2021 film PAW Patrol: The Movie and the 2023 sequel film PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie. In April 2022, it was announced that Martin would star alongside Kelly Rowland and Omari Hardwick in the comedy film Fantasy Football. In 2023, she produced Saturdays, a coming-of-age comedy television series for Disney Channel.

Filmography

Film

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
BET Awards — YoungStars Award
2017 Fun Mom Dinner Hannah
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)
PAW Patrol: The Movie Liberty (voice) Speaking voice and vocal effects
2022 Fantasy Football Callie Coleman Also producer
2023 PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie Liberty (voice)
Good Burger 2 Friendly Customer Cameo
TBA G20 Post-production

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2014–2022 Black-ish Diane Johnson Series regular
NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (2016, 2018–21)
NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited-series) (2017, 2019–20)
Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a TV Series – Supporting Young Actress (2016)
Nomination — NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (2017–18)
Nomination — NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited-series) (2016, 18)
Nomination — Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a TV Series – Supporting Young Actress (2015)
Nomination — Young Artist Award for Outstanding Young Ensemble Cast in a Television Series (2016)
Nomination — Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (2017–18)
Nomination — BET Awards — YoungStars Award (2017)
2015–16 Goldie & Bear Jill (voice) 4 episodes
2016 The Mr. Peabody & Sherman Show Anissa (voice) 2 episodes
2016–19 Elena of Avalor Caterina (voice) 2 episodes
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"
2019–20 Vampirina Frankie Bolt (voice) 2 episodes
2019-22 DreamWorks Dragons: Rescue Riders Aggro (voice) Main role
2022 Wild 'n Out Herself Celebrity guest (season 18, episode 2)
The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder Iyanna (voice) Episode: "Get In"
The Hair Tales Herself
2023 Saturdays Executive producer

Awards and nominations

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 YoungStars Award Won
2019 MTV Movie & TV Awards Best Comedic Performance Little Nominated
Teen Choice Awards Choice Movie Actress – Comedy Nominated
2020 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

Tags:

Marsai Martin Early lifeMarsai Martin CareerMarsai Martin FilmographyMarsai Martin Awards and nominationsMarsai Martin

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