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.[1] Martin is a nine-time NAACP Image Awards winner. Time included her on its "Time 100 Next" list in 2019.[2]

Marsai Martin
Martin in 2016
Born	Caila Marsai Martin (2004-08-14) August 14, 2004 Little Elm, Texas, U.S.
Occupation	Actress, producer
Years active	2014–present

Early life

Martin was born in Little Elm, Texas, the daughter of Carol and Joshua Martin.[3] Marsai's acting career started after a glamour pictorial.[4] The photographer gave them discount in exchange for her father's promise that he would submit the photos taken to talent agencies.[4] The photos were sent out to four agencies and one of these immediately signed her.[4] At age five, she landed her first national commercial for Choice Hotel.[5] Her family then moved to Los Angeles in 2013 so she could pursue an acting career.[6]

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[5] and a Young Artist Award.[6] 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.[7] 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.[8][9][10][11]

In February, 2019 Martin her Genius Productions company have 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.[12] She become the youngest person to get a first-look deal at Universal, and the youngest person to get a deal at any studio.[13] 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.[14] In December 2019, it was announced that Martin producing the comedy film Queen.[15][16]

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
TBA	Amari And The Night Brothers	Amari

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2014–present	Black-ish	Diane Johnson	Series regular NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (2016, 2019–20) 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)
2015-2016	Goldie & Bear	Jill	Voice, 4 episodes
2016	The Mr. Peabody & Sherman Show	Anissa	Voice, 2 episodes
2016-2019	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"
2019-2020	Vampirina	Frankie Bolt (voice)	2 episodes
2019-2020	DreamWorks Dragons: Rescue Riders	Aggro	Main role

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				Won
		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
	NAACP Image Awards	Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Mini-series)	Black-ish	Won
	Black Reel Awards	Outstanding Supporting Actress, Comedy Series	Black-ish	Nominated
	BET Awards[17]	YoungStars Award		Won
	2019 MTV Movie & TV Awards	Best Comedic Performance	Little	Nominated
	Teen Choice Awards	Choice Movie Actress – Comedy	Little	Nominated
2020[18]	NAACP Image Awards	Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series	Black-ish	Won
	NAACP Image Awards	Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Mini-series)	Black-ish	Won
	NAACP Image Awards	NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture	Little	Won
	NAACP Image Awards	Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in Motion Picture	Little	Won

References

1. Connley, Courtney (2019-04-13). "Marsai Martin is the youngest person to executive produce a studio film". www.cnbc.com. Retrieved 2019-04-22.
2. https://time.com/collection/time-100-next-2019/5718850/marsai-martin/
3. "Teen mogul Marsai Martin on "Little"". CBS News. March 31, 2019.
4. "Meet Marsai Martin, The Youngest Executive Producer In Hollywood". NPR.org. Retrieved 2019-04-22.
5. Peck, Patrice. "A Brief Explainer Of Marsai Martin For Those Of You Who Don't Know Who She Is". BuzzFeed. Retrieved 2019-04-22.
6. "Marsai Mart asked was in as Diane Johnson - black-ish". ABC. Archived from the original on 29 January 2018. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
7. 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.
8. "'Black-ish' Breakout Marsai Martin to Star in 'Little' for Will Packer, Kenya Barris (Exclusive)". Retrieved 28 January 2018.
9. McNary, Dave (25 January 2018). "Film News Roundup: 'Black-ish' Star Marsai Martin's Comedy 'Little' in Development". Retrieved 28 January 2018.
10. ""Black-ish's" Marsai Martin to Star in and Exec Produce Tina Gordon Comedy". 25 January 2018. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
11. Harriot, Michael. "#BlackGirlMagic: Black-ish Star Marsai Martin Set to Become Youngest Executive Producer in Hollywood History". The Grapevine. Retrieved 2019-01-29.
12. "Marsai Martin Signs First-Look Production Deal With Universal To Develop New Projects, Sets New Film 'StepMonster'". shadowandact.com.
13. "'Black-ish' Star Marsai Martin Inks First-Look Deal With Universal (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter.
14. "Mandeville, Marsai Martin Team for Fantasy 'Amari and the Night Brothers' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter.
15. "Marsai Martin Sets New Project at Universal With Comedy 'Queen' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter.
16. https://thesource.com/2019/12/20/marsai-martin-producing-new-queen-comedy-with-universal/
17. Marsai Martin Wins Well Deserved YoungStars Award! | BET Awards 2019
18. 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".

External links

• Marsai Martin on IMDb
• Marsai Martin on Cultura.ID