Caila Marsai Martin[1] (/ˈmɑːrseɪ/ MAR-say;[2] born August 14, 2004)[3] is an American actress and producer, best known for her role as Diane Johnson on the ABC sitcom Black-ish (2014–2022).
Marsai Martin | |
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 Martin in 2016 | |
| Born | Caila Marsai Martin August 14, 2004 Plano, Texas, U.S. |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 2014–present |
| Website | marsai |
| Signature | |
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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".[4] In 2022, she produced and starred in the sports comedy film, Fantasy Football.
Early life
Martin was born in Plano, Texas, to [5] Carol and Joshua Martin.[6] Martin's acting career started after a glamour pictorial,[7] 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.[7] The photos were sent out to four agencies and one immediately signed her.[7] At age five, Martin landed her first national commercial for Choice Hotel.[8][9] Her family then moved to Los Angeles in 2013, so she could pursue an acting career.[10]
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[11][12][13] and a Young Artist Award.[10] 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.[14] 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.[15][16][17][18]
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.[19] She is the youngest person to get a first-look deal at Universal, and the youngest person to get a deal at any studio.[20] 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.[21] In December 2019, it was announced that Martin would be producing the comedy film Queen.[22][23] She voiced the character Liberty in the 2021 film PAW Patrol: The Movie and the 2023 sequel film PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie.[24][25] In April 2022, it was announced that Martin would star alongside Kelly Rowland and Omari Hardwick in the comedy film Fantasy Football.[26] In 2023, she produced Saturdays, a coming-of-age comedy television series for Disney Channel.[27][28]
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". Martin is the youngest ever contestant after beating out JoJo Siwa as "T-Rex" and Honey Boo Boo as one half of "Beach Ball".[29]
Personal life
Martin is currently in a relationship with NASCAR driver Rajah Caruth.[30]
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 | |
| 2017 | Fun Mom Dinner | Hannah | |
| Lemonade Mafia | Kira Anderson | Short film | |
| 2019 | Little | Young Jordan Sanders | |
| 2021 | Spirit Untamed | Prudence "Pru" Granger (voice) | |
| PAW Patrol: The Movie | Liberty (voice) | ||
| 2022 | Fantasy Football | Callie Coleman | Also producer |
| 2023 | PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie | Liberty (voice) | |
| Good Burger 2 | Friendly Customer | ||
| TBA | G20 | TBA | Post-production |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–2022 | Black-ish | Diane Johnson | Main role |
| 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) | |
| 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" | |
| 2019–2020 | Vampirina | Frankie Bolt (voice) | 2 episodes |
| 2019–2022 | DreamWorks Dragons: Rescue Riders | Aggro (voice) | Main role |
| 2022 | Wild 'n Out | Herself | 1 episode |
| The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder | Iyanna (voice) | Episode: "Get In" | |
| The Hair Tales | Herself | ||
| 2023 | Saturdays | — | Executive producer |
| 2024 | Good Times: Black Again | Grey (voice) | Main role |
| Lego Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy | Yesi Scala (voice) | ||
| The Masked Singer | Herself/Woodpecker | Season 12 contestant |
Awards and nominations
References
External links
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