Mahershala Ali is now a two-time Academy Award winner. The actor took home the Best Supporting Actor award Sunday for his turn in Green Book.
Thanking the pianist that inspired the film, Dr. Don Shirley, Ali said, “Trying to capture Dr. Shirley’s essence pushed me to my ends, which is a reflection of the person he was and the life that he lived and I thank him.”
“I thank my partner Viggo [Mortensen]; extraordinary working with you,” he added, before thanking director Peter Farrelly and executive producer Octavia Spencer.
Ali dedicated the win to his grandmother, referring to her as the reason behind his success.
“I want to dedicate this to my grandmother, who has been in my ear my entire life telling me if at first I don’t succeed try, try again. I can do anything I put my mind to. Always pushing me to think positively,” Ali, who became the first Muslim to win an Oscar back in 2017. “She has gotten me over the hump every step of the way.”
Green Book also won the Oscar for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay on Sunday night.
