Yahya Abdul-Mateen II
A commanding actor who shifts seamlessly from superhero blockbusters to nuanced, Emmy-winning dramatic performances.
Born 1986 (age 40)·American actor·Birthday: July 15·Millennials
Biography
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II didn't follow a conventional path to acting. With a degree in architecture from UC Berkeley and a stint as a city planner in San Francisco, he brought a designer's precision to his craft when he later graduated from the Yale School of Drama. His physical presence and intense charisma landed him big-screen roles as the vengeful Black Manta in 'Aquaman', but he consistently sought projects that demanded more. His breakthrough came on HBO's 'Watchmen', where his portrayal of the god-like, emotionally shattered Doctor Manhattan won him an Emmy, proving he could convey profound vulnerability within a spectacle. He continued to choose audaciously different parts: activist Bobby Seale in 'The Trial of the Chicago 7', a smooth-talking salesman in 'Candyman', and a surreal take on Morpheus in 'The Matrix Resurrections'. Abdul-Mateen operates with the confidence of an artist who knows his range, making every role, no matter the size, distinctly his own.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Yahya was born in 1986, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Yahya Was Born
The biggest hits of 1986
#1 Movie
Top Gun
Best Picture
Platoon
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Yahya's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1986Born
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1991Started school
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1999Became a teenager
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Could drive
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2004Could vote
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Turned 21
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2016Turned 30
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2026Turned 40
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor for his role in HBO's 'Watchmen' (2019).
- Starred as the iconic villain Black Manta in the DC films 'Aquaman' and its sequel.
- Received critical praise for his portrayal of Black Panther Party co-founder Bobby Seale in 'The Trial of the Chicago 7'.
- Played lead roles in major genre films including 'Candyman' (2021) and 'The Matrix Resurrections' (2021).
Did You Know?
He worked as a city planner for the city of San Francisco before pursuing acting.
He is a trained dancer and has a background in competitive step dancing.
His father's side of the family is from New Orleans, and he has deep roots in the city's culture.
He chose his stage name 'Abdul-Mateen II' to honor his father, who passed away when he was young.
“I'm interested in telling stories about Black people that are human stories, that are about love and joy and pain and all of those things.”
