Yahya Abdul-Mateen II

Abdul-Mateen in 2018, photo by Prphotos

Place of Birth: New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.

Date of Birth: July 15, 1986

Ethnicity: African-American, African-Caribbean

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is an American actor and architect. His roles include the films The Vanishing of Sidney Hall, The Greatest Showman, First Match, Boundaries, Aquaman, and its sequel; Us, Sweetness in the Belly, All Day and a Night, The Trial of the Chicago 7, Candyman (2021), The Matrix Resurrections, and Ambulance (2022); and television’s The Get Down, Black Mirror: Striking Vipers, and Watchmen (2019).

He is the son of Mary and Yahya Abdul-Mateen I (born John Ford). Yahya’s father was Muslim and his mother is Christian. Yahya was raised in the Magnolia Projects of New Orleans, and later Oakland, and then Stockton, in California.

Yahya’s paternal grandfather was Sylvester William “Sam” Ford (the son of Willis Ford and Mary). Sylvester was born in Florida.

Yahya’s paternal grandmother was Evelyn Travis (the daughter of Anthony Travis and Leontine Christophe). Evelyn was born in Louisiana.

Sources: Obituary of Yahya’s father – https://www.findagrave.com

Marriage record of Yahya’s paternal grandparents, Sylvester William “Sam” Ford and Evelyn Travis – https://www.familysearch.org

Yahya’s paternal grandparents, Sylvester William “Sam” Ford and Evelyn Travis, on the 1940 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org