'Moonlight' Star Mahershala Ali Wins First Academy Award and Makes Oscar History
Mahershala Ali is an Oscar winner!
The 43-year-old actor won Best Supporting Actor at Sunday's Academy Awards for his performance in Moonlight, making him the first Muslim actor to win an Oscar.
EXCLUSIVE: Mahershala Ali Praises Wife After Daughter's Birth
"I just want to thank my wife, who was in her third trimester during award season," Ali said during his moving acceptance speech.
"We just had a daughter four days ago," he continued. "So, I just want to thank her for being such a soldier through this process and help and really carrying me through it all."
Well deserved, #MahershalaAli! #Oscars pic.twitter.com/ZCFFziGTi4
— RollingOut (@RollingOut) February 27, 2017
Following his moving speech, Ali's co-stars and peers took to social media to congratulate the actor.
In tears. Mahershala!!!! Deserved. #Oscars
— Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) February 27, 2017
#MahershalaAli is brilliant!!!!! Yesssssss #Moonlight #Oscars2017
— Gabrielle Union (@itsgabrielleu) February 27, 2017
Congratulations Mr. Mahershala Ali on your Oscar win! #moonlight
— Caleb McLaughlin (@calebrmclaughl1) February 27, 2017
Yes!!!! #MahershalaAli @moonlightmov spectacular performance. #Moonlight #Oscars peace and blessings
— Tamron Hall (@tamronhall) February 27, 2017
I am sooooo happy for this brother, Mahershala Ali....winning the Oscar for "Moonlight." This brother is so special. LOVE that he won this!!
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) February 27, 2017
Congratulations, old friend. https://t.co/21kqiez4HF
— House of Cards (@HouseofCards) February 27, 2017
RELATED: Oscars 2017: The Complete Winners List
Ali's Moonlight co-stars spoke to ET about what it meant to be at Hollywood's biggest night. Watch ET's exclusive interview below.
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