Yahya Abdul-Mateen II

Before he began acting, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II worked as an architect and urban planner.

CAREER & AWARDS · SOURCED

For his role in ''The Get Down'' (2016), Yahya Abdul-Mateen II spent up to seven hours a day learning disco dancing.

CHARACTERS & CAST · SOURCED

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II did not know how to swim before landing his role in Aquaman (2018) and learned to swim before production began.

INTERESTING FACTS · SOURCED

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II studied drama at Yale. He was also accepted to New York University and Harvard.

LIFE & FAMILY · SOURCED

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II studied Architecture at Berkeley.

INTERESTING FACTS · SOURCED

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II has a mild stutter, which is one of the reasons he took acting classes.

INTERESTING FACTS · SOURCED

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is the first actor to play Aquaman's archenemy Black Manta in live action.

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Yahya Abdul-Mateen II was on the track team in college.

LIFE & FAMILY · SOURCED

If he could play a musician in a biographical film, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II would want to play Marvin Gaye.

INTERESTING FACTS · SOURCED

Although Yahya Abdul-Mateen II describes himself as a nerd, he was prom king in high school.

INTERESTING FACTS · SOURCED

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II grew up in Oakland, California.

INTERESTING FACTS · SOURCED

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II's name is properly pronounced Ya-he-ya, but he dislikes it when people say "YAH-YAH."

INTERESTING FACTS · SOURCED

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II founded the production company Eleven10.

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Yahya Abdul-Mateen II trained in acting at the American Conservatory Theater.

INTERESTING FACTS · SOURCED

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II was invited to join the actors branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

INTERESTING FACTS · SOURCED

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II's favorite actress as a child was Julia Roberts.

LIFE & FAMILY · SOURCED