Caila Marsai Martin[1] is an American actress, 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 Plano, Texas, U.S. |
Occupation | Actress, producer |
Years active | 2013–present |
Website | marsai |
Signature | |
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In 2019, Martin starred 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".[2]
Martin was born in Plano, Texas, to African-American parents[3] Carol and Joshua Martin.[4] Martin's acting career started after a glamour pictorial.[5] The photographer gave them a discount in exchange for her father's promise that he would submit the photos to talent agencies.[5] The photos were sent out to four agencies and one immediately signed her.[5] At age five, she landed her first national commercial for Choice Hotel.[6][7] Her family then moved to Los Angeles in 2013, so she could pursue an acting career.[8]
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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[9][10][11] and a Young Artist Award.[8] 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.[12] 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.[13][14][15][16]
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.[17] She is the youngest person to get a first-look deal at Universal, and the youngest person to get a deal at any studio.[18] 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.[19] In December 2019, it was announced that Martin would be producing the comedy film Queen.[20][21] She voiced the character Liberty in the 2021 film PAW Patrol: The Movie. In April 2022, it was announced that Martin would star alongside Kelly Rowland and Omari Hardwick in the upcoming film Fantasy Football.[22]
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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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 | |
TBA | Amari And The Night Brothers | Amari |
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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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 |
DreamWorks Dragons: Rescue Riders | Aggro (voice) | Main role | |
2022 | The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder | Iyanna (voice) | Episode: "Get In" |
Year | Association | Category | Nominated work | Result |
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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[23] | YoungStars Award | Won | ||
2019 MTV Movie & TV Awards | Best Comedic Performance | Little | Nominated | |
Teen Choice Awards | Choice Movie Actress – Comedy | Nominated | ||
2020[24] | 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 |
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National libraries | |
Other |
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