Yahya Abdul-Mateen Ⅱ (born July 15, 1986, in New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.) is an American actor. He earned a degree in architecture from the University of California, Berkeley, before leaving a professional career in urban planning to study acting at the Yale School of Drama. His transition into performance quickly attracted industry attention.
He gained recognition as Cadillac in The Get Down and achieved wider acclaim through Aquaman, Watchmen, Candyman, The Trial of the Chicago 7, and The Matrix Resurrections. He won a Primetime Emmy Award for Watchmen. Known for intensity, charisma, and versatility, he has established himself as a leading presence across film and television.
He has continued expanding his career with projects such as Man on Fire, Wonder Man, and By Any Means, while also taking on producing responsibilities. Balancing blockbuster franchises with character-driven stories, he has built a reputation for ambitious role selection. With critical recognition and growing influence, he remains one of Hollywood’s most prominent contemporary actors.