Video
optional screen reader
optional screen reader
optional screen reader
Related Videos
-
Popular on Variety
Mahershala Ali Wants to Become a Leading Man
Perfection is rarely achieved in movies, but this heaven-sent concert doc hits the sweet spot. Over two days in January 1972, the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin — she was 29 at the time — sweeps into the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Watts in front of a congregation and testifies to God in song. The blessed thing took nearly half a century to come out because director Sydney Pollack failed to sync the image with the sound. Then digital angels stepped in, and glory, glory, hallelujah!
-
Popular on Variety
A Night In The Writer’s Room: Comedy 2020
Perfection is rarely achieved in movies, but this heaven-sent concert doc hits the sweet spot. Over two days in January 1972, the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin — she was 29 at the time — sweeps into the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Watts in front of a congregation and testifies to God in song. The blessed thing took nearly half a century to come out because director Sydney Pollack failed to sync the image with the sound. Then digital angels stepped in, and glory, glory, hallelujah!
-
Popular on Variety
Emmys 2020 — Comedy Lead Actor: Who Will Be Nominated?
Perfection is rarely achieved in movies, but this heaven-sent concert doc hits the sweet spot. Over two days in January 1972, the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin — she was 29 at the time — sweeps into the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Watts in front of a congregation and testifies to God in song. The blessed thing took nearly half a century to come out because director Sydney Pollack failed to sync the image with the sound. Then digital angels stepped in, and glory, glory, hallelujah!
-
Popular on Variety
‘Avenue 5’ Cast and Creator Talk Bringing the Futuristic Set to Life
Perfection is rarely achieved in movies, but this heaven-sent concert doc hits the sweet spot. Over two days in January 1972, the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin — she was 29 at the time — sweeps into the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Watts in front of a congregation and testifies to God in song. The blessed thing took nearly half a century to come out because director Sydney Pollack failed to sync the image with the sound. Then digital angels stepped in, and glory, glory, hallelujah!
-
Popular on Variety
‘The Outsider’ Team on Adapting Stephen King’s Novel and Reinventing Holly’s Character For the Series
Perfection is rarely achieved in movies, but this heaven-sent concert doc hits the sweet spot. Over two days in January 1972, the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin — she was 29 at the time — sweeps into the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Watts in front of a congregation and testifies to God in song. The blessed thing took nearly half a century to come out because director Sydney Pollack failed to sync the image with the sound. Then digital angels stepped in, and glory, glory, hallelujah!
-
Popular on Variety
Variety Streaming Room: Jason Segel, Eve Lindley and André Benjamin on ‘Dispatches From Elsewhere’
Perfection is rarely achieved in movies, but this heaven-sent concert doc hits the sweet spot. Over two days in January 1972, the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin — she was 29 at the time — sweeps into the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Watts in front of a congregation and testifies to God in song. The blessed thing took nearly half a century to come out because director Sydney Pollack failed to sync the image with the sound. Then digital angels stepped in, and glory, glory, hallelujah!
-
Popular on Variety
‘We’re Here’ Cast Talks Favorite Moments From Show, the Importance of Pride Month
Perfection is rarely achieved in movies, but this heaven-sent concert doc hits the sweet spot. Over two days in January 1972, the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin — she was 29 at the time — sweeps into the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Watts in front of a congregation and testifies to God in song. The blessed thing took nearly half a century to come out because director Sydney Pollack failed to sync the image with the sound. Then digital angels stepped in, and glory, glory, hallelujah!
-
Popular on Variety
‘Succession’ Cast Reveals Favorite One-Liners and Stories From Season 2
Perfection is rarely achieved in movies, but this heaven-sent concert doc hits the sweet spot. Over two days in January 1972, the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin — she was 29 at the time — sweeps into the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Watts in front of a congregation and testifies to God in song. The blessed thing took nearly half a century to come out because director Sydney Pollack failed to sync the image with the sound. Then digital angels stepped in, and glory, glory, hallelujah!
Mahershala Ali, who appeared alongside Greta Gerwig during Season 5 of Variety and PBS’ “Actors on Actors,” said although playing a wide array of character roles allowed him to realize his strengths and weaknesses, he doesn’t want to be a one-trick pony.
“I found myself sort of becoming a character actor, though I don’t know if that would be my natural makeup,” the “Moonlight” actor revealed. “But compared to who I was within a class of 18 actors, and then just trying to survive as an actor getting out of school … As that starts breaking down, you’re like ‘I gotta make this part work.’”
After years of playing supporting characters, Ali is determined to land a lead role.
“I haven’t gotten to do the leading man thing, so I would love to do that!” laughs Ali.
The interview will air in its entirety on Variety’s “Actors on Actors” Season 5, presented by The Venetian Las Vegas, which debuts on PBS SoCal on Jan. 3.
![]() |
More From Our Brands
Verify it's you
Please log in
For assistance, contact your corporate administrator.