Muhammad Ali
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- Jan 17, 1942
- Died
- Jun 3, 2016 (aged 74)
- Place of birth
- Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Credits
- 177
Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.; January 17, 1942 – June 3, 2016) was an American professional boxer, activist, entertainer and philanthropist. Nicknamed The Greatest, he is widely regarded as one of the most significant and celebrated figures of the 20th century and as one of the greatest boxers of all time.
Ali was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky. He began training as an amateur boxer at age 12. At 18, he won a gold medal in the light heavyweight division at the 1960 Summer Olympics and turned professional later that year. He became a Muslim after 1961. He won the world heavyweight championship from Sonny Liston in a major upset on February 25, 1964, at age 22. On March 6, 1964, he announced that he no longer would be known as Cassius Clay but as Muhammad Ali. In 1966, Ali refused to be drafted into the military, citing his religious beliefs and ethical opposition to the Vietnam War. He was found guilty of draft evasion so he faced 5 years in prison and was stripped of his boxing titles. He stayed out of prison as he appealed the decision to the Supreme Court, which overturned his conviction in 1971, but he had not fought for nearly four years and lost a period of peak performance as an athlete. Ali's actions as a conscientious objector to the Vietnam War made him an icon for the larger counterculture generation, and he was a very high-profile figure of racial pride for African Americans during the civil rights movement and throughout his career. As a Muslim, Ali was initially affiliated with Elijah Muhammad's Nation of Islam (NOI). He later disavowed the NOI, adhering to Sunni Islam, and supporting racial integration like his former mentor Malcolm X.
Ali was a leading heavyweight boxer of the 20th century, and he remains the only three-time lineal champion of that division. His joint records of beating 21 boxers for the world heavyweight title and winning 14 unified title bouts stood for 35 years. He is the only fighter to have been ranked as the world's best heavyweight by BoxRec twelve times. He has been ranked among BoxRec's ten best heavyweights seventeen times, the third most in history. He won 8 fights that were rated by BoxRec as 5-Star, the third most in the history of the heavyweight division. Ali is the only boxer to be named The Ring magazine Fighter of the Year six times. He has been ranked the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time, and as the greatest athlete of the 20th century by Sports Illustrated, the Sports Personality of the Century by the BBC, and the third greatest athlete of the 20th century by ESPN SportsCentury. He was involved in several historic boxing matches and feuds, most notably his fights with Joe Frazier, such as the Fight of the Century and the Thrilla in Manila, and his fight with George Foreman, known as The Rumble in the Jungle, which has been called "arguably the greatest sporting event of the 20th century" and was watched by a record estimated television audience of 1 billion viewers worldwide, becoming the world's most-watched live television broadcast at the time. Ali thrived in the spotlight at a time when many fighters let their managers do the talking, and he was often provocative and outlandish. He was known for trash-talking, and often free-styled with rhyme schemes and spoken word poetry, anticipating elements of hip hop.
Known for
American Made
2017Movie
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Da 5 Bloods
2020Movie
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Damned United
2009Movie
archival footage
O.J.: Made in America
2016Movie
Self (archive footage)
When We Were Kings
1996Movie
Self
Pelé
2021Movie
Self (archive Footage)
Filmography
Untold Mr. T: I Pity the Fool
2026Movie
Self (archive footage)
9/11: United We Stand -- 25 Years Later
2026Movie
Self (archive footage)
Jerry West: The Logo
2026Movie
Self (Archive Footage)
David Frost Vs
2025TV
self (archive footage)
Beatles '64
2024Movie
Self (archive footage)
WWE Hall of Fame 2024
2024Movie
Muhammad Ali
Franz Klammer - The Ski "Kaiser" Will Be 70
2023Movie
Self (archive footage)
70 Jahre Annemarie Moser-Pröll – Ein Leben als Wintermärchen
2023Movie
Self (archive footage)
Cassius X: Becoming Ali
2023Movie
Self (archive footage)
Untold: Jake Paul the Problem Child
2023Movie
Self (archive footage)
Bill Russell: Legend
2023TV
Self (archive footage)
Stand
2023Movie
Self (archive footage)
My Father Muhammad Ali
2023Movie
Self (archive footage)
The Century of Icons
2022TV
Self (archive footage)
Say Hey, Willie Mays!
2022Movie
Self (archive footage)
Behind the Shield: The Power and Politics of the NFL
2022Movie
Self (archive footage)
McEnroe
2022Movie
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
The King of Miami Beach
2022Movie
Muhammad Ali
2021TV
Self (archive footage)
Blood Brothers: Malcolm X & Muhammad Ali
2021Movie
Self (archive footage)
Parkinson at 50
2021Movie
Self (archive footage)
Untold: Deal with the Devil
2021Movie
Self - Professional Boxer (archive footage)
Boulevard! A Hollywood Story
2021Movie
Self (archive footage)
City of Ali
2021Movie
1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything
2021TV
Self (archive footage)
Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street
2021Movie
Self (archive footage)
A Life in Ten Pictures
2021TV
Self (archive footage)
Mister Candid Camera
2021Movie
Self (archive footage)
Pelé
2021Movie
Self (archive Footage)
Ron Lyle
2021Movie
Self (archive footage)
Earnie Shavers
2021Movie
70 Years of Youth Revolt
2020TV
Self (archive footage)
Da 5 Bloods
2020Movie
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Ali's Comeback: The Untold Story
2020Movie
Self (archive footage)
Pariah: The Lives and Deaths of Sonny Liston
2019Movie
Self (archive footage)
Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am
2019Movie
Self (archive footage)
Africa Rising
2019Movie
Self - Boxer (archive footage)
Thrilla in Manila
2019Movie
Self
What's My Name | Muhammad Ali
2019TV
Self (archive footage)
Shut Up and Dribble
2018TV
Self (archive footage)
In Search of Greatness
2018Movie
Self (archive footage)
The Champ and the King
2018Movie
Self (archive footage)
Black Is Beltza
2018Movie
Self (voice) (archive footage)
Ali & Cavett: The Tale of the Tapes
2018Movie
Self (archive footage)
United We Stand: The Ali Summit
2018Movie
archival footage
Explained
2018TV
Self (archive footage)
Andre the Giant
2018Movie
Self (archive footage)
American Made
2017Movie
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Europa: The Last Battle
2017TV
The Summer of Love
2017Movie
O.J.: Made in America
2016TV
Self (archive footage)
Muhammad Ali - Rumble in the Jungle
2016Movie
Self (archive footage)
O.J.: Made in America
2016Movie
Self (archive footage)
Sticky: A (Self) Love Story
2016Movie
Self
Les vendredis d'Apostrophes
2015Movie
Self (archive footage)
Best of Enemies
2015Movie
Self (archival)
The Seventies
2015TV
Self (archive footage)
Robbed
2014Movie
Self
I Am Ali
2014Movie
Self (archive footage)
Muhammad Ali: The Greatest
2014Movie
Self (Archival Footage)
Muhammad Ali's Greatest Fight
2013Movie
Himself (archive footage)
Legends of Mid-South Wrestling
2013Movie
Himself
The Trials of Muhammad Ali
2013Movie
Self (archive footage)
Ali: The Mission
2013Movie
Self (archive footage)
WWE: Undertaker 20-0 - The Streak
2012Movie
Self (archive footage)
Norman Mailer: The American
2012Movie
Self
When Ali Came to Britain
2012Movie
The Real Rocky
2011Movie
Self (archive footage)
Muhammad and Larry
2009Movie
Himself
Muhammad Ali: Fighting Spirit
2009Movie
himself
Rumble in the Jungle
2009Movie
Self
Soul Power
2009Movie
Self (archive footage)
Facing Ali
2009Movie
Self
The Damned United
2009Movie
archival footage
When Ali Met Cathal
2009Movie
Muhammad Ali
Thrilla in Manila
2008Movie
Himself (archive footage)
Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson
2008Movie
Self (archive footage)
Black Power Salute
2008Movie
Self (archive footage)
Muhammad Ali: Made in Miami
2008Movie
Himself
Tyson
2008Movie
Self (archive footage)
James Brown - The Night James Brown Saved Boston
2008Movie
Self (archive footage)
Ali's 65
2007TV
Ali's Dozen
2006Movie
Self
WWE: Hulk Hogan: The Ultimate Anthology
2006Movie
Muhammad Ali
Darts Tarts – Welcome to my World
2006Movie
Self (archive footage)
Ali Rap
2006Movie
Himself
Legends Never Die
2006Movie
Self (archive footage)
Out From Ali's Shadow: The Larry Holmes Story
2006Movie
Self (Archival Footage)
Parkinson
2004TV
Self - Guest (archive footage)
Pelé Forever
2004Movie
Self (archive footage)
TV in Black: The First Fifty Years
2004Movie
Self (archive footage)
Jack Paar: Smart Television
2003Movie
Self
The Last Round: Chuvalo vs. Ali
2003Movie
Himself
The Documented Life and Times of Muhammad Ali - The Greatest
2002Movie
Monday Night Mayhem
2002Movie
Self (archive footage)
The Making of 'Ali'
2001Movie
Self
Muhammad Ali - Through The Eyes Of The World
2001Movie
Himself
Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration
2001Movie
Self
When Boxing Ruled The World
2001Movie
Self
Muhammad Ali, the Greatest
2001Movie
Self (archive footage)
Ali-Frazier I: One Nation... Divisible
2000Movie
Self
Champions Forever - World Heavyweight Champs!
2000Movie
Himself
Freestyle: The Art of Rhyme
2000Movie
Himself
Muhammad Ali - The Greatest Collection
1999Movie
Sugar Ray Robinson: The Bright Lights and Dark Shadows of a Champion
1998Movie
Himself
B.B. King: Live In Africa '74
1998Movie
Self
The Best of the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts
1998Movie
Self - Roastee (archive footage)
Storyville
1997TV
Boxing Crazy
1997Movie
When We Were Kings
1996Movie
Self
Boxing Barmy
1996Movie
Atlanta 1996: Games of the XXVI Olympiad - Opening Ceremony
1996Movie
Self
The Journey of the African-American Athlete
1996Movie
Self (archive footage)
Die Muhammad Ali Story
1996TV
Muhammad Ali
Boxing's Greatest Champions
1995Movie
Self
Kings of The Ring - History of Heavyweight Boxing 1919-1990
1995Movie
Himself (Archival Footage)
Kings of the Ring: Four Legends of Heavyweight Boxing
1995Movie
Himself
WCW Halloween Havoc 1994
1994Movie
Himself (Ringside)
Touched by an Angel
1994TV
Self
Naked Sport: Welcome to the Sewer
1993Movie
Self
Muhammad Ali: The Greatest
1991Movie
Night of 100 Stars III
1990Movie
Self
The Best of ABC's Wide World of Sports: The 60's
1990Movie
Self
Champions Forever
1989Movie
Self
Mike Tyson vs Larry Holmes
1988Movie
Self
Mike Tyson Presents: The Heavyweights
1988Movie
Boxing's Greatest Knockouts
1987Movie
Mike Tyson vs Trevor Berbick
1986Movie
Self
Doin' Time
1985Movie
Muhammad Ali
WrestleMania
1985Movie
Muhammad Ali (Enforcer)
James Bond: The First 21 Years
1983Movie
Self
Wogan
1982TV
Self
Mid-South Wrestling
1981TV
Muhammad Ali (Fan - Archive Footage)
Muhammad Ali vs. Trevor Berbick
1981Movie
Self
Body and Soul
1981Movie
Himself
Diana
1981Movie
Self
Muhammad and Larry
1980Movie
Freedom Road
1979Movie
Gideon Jackson
Kings of the Square Ring
1978Movie
Leon Spinks vs Muhammad Ali II
1978Movie
The Greatest
1977Movie
Cassius Clay / Muhammad Ali
The Captain and Tennille
1976TV
Self - Guest
Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier III
1975Movie
Self
Funny Girl to Funny Lady
1975Movie
Self
Apostrophes
1975TV
Self
The Rumble in the Jungle: George Foreman vs. Muhammad Ali
1974Movie
Self
Muhammad Ali, the Greatest
1974Movie
Self
Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier II
1974Movie
Self
The Fighters
1974Movie
Self
Black Soul
1974Movie
Self
The Fight
1974Movie
Himself
Muhammad Ali vs. Floyd Patterson II
1972Movie
Self
Money Talks
1972Movie
Self
Wake Up and Apologise
1972Movie
Self
Malcolm X
1972Movie
Self (archive footage)
Black Rodeo
1972Movie
Self
Fight of the Century
1971Movie
Self
Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier I
1971Movie
Self
a.k.a. Cassius Clay
1970Movie
Self
The Super Fight
1970Movie
Himself
The Dick Cavett Show
1968TV
Self - Guest
Something's Happening
1967Movie
Goal!
1966Movie
Self
Muhammad Ali vs. Henry Cooper II
1966Movie
Muhammad Ali vs. Floyd Patterson I
1965Movie
Self
Muhammad Ali vs. Sonny Liston II
1965Movie
Self
Cassius le grand
1964Movie
Muhammad Ali vs. Sonny Liston I
1964Movie
Self
Der Sport-Spiegel
1963TV
Self
Cassius Clay vs. Doug Jones
1963Movie
Self
Requiem for a Heavyweight
1962Movie
Himself (as Cassius Clay)
The Merv Griffin Show
1962TV
Self
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1962TV
Self
The Mike Douglas Show
1961TV
Self
Cassius Clay vs. Alonzo Johnson
1961Movie
Self
What's My Line?
1950TV
Self - Mystery Guest
Bambi
1948TV
Self (archive footage)