Muhammad Ali
Date of birth: 1942-01-17
Place of birth: Louisville, Kentucky, USA
Known for: Acting
Also known as: Cassius Clay, Cassius Marcellus Clay
Biography
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.
Movie Credits
When We Were Kings
1996-10-25
It's 1974. Muhammad Ali is 32 and thought by many to be past his prime. George Foreman is ten years
City of Ali
2021-06-04
City of Ali is a feature-length documentary that tells the story of how the death of Muhammad Ali br
Pariah: The Lives and Deaths of Sonny Liston
2019-11-15
Overcoming the seemingly insurmountable odds that life threw his way, Liston became heavyweight cham
Ali's Comeback: The Untold Story
2020-01-16
An unusual group of people who came together in the most unlikely location to make it possible for t
Soul Power
2009-06-10
Soul Power is a 2008 documentary film about the Zaire 74 music festival in Kinshasa which accompanie
Black Soul
1974-01-01
1974 documentary about Ali.
Ron Lyle
2021-01-01
Ron Lyle A look back at Ron Lyle, a convicted murderer who upon his release from prison, was able to
Earnie Shavers
2021-01-01
Considered one of the hardest-hitting heavyweight boxers of all time, Earnie Shavers took on all the
The King of Miami Beach
2022-05-03
A look back at boxer Jeff Sims, an ex-convict famous for busting Muhammad Ali's lip in a sparring se
Untold: Deal with the Devil
2021-08-17
Christy Martin broke boundaries and noses as she rose in the boxing world, but her public persona be
Stand
2023-02-03
Raw and unflinching examination of the courageous life of basketball star and social justice activis
Muhammad and Larry
1980-01-01
Through the poetic lens of visionary filmmakers Albert and David Maysles, Muhammad and Larry explore
Muhammad Ali, the Greatest
1969-11-21
Universally accepted as a true icon of the 20th century, Muhammad Ali’s phenomenal achievements span
Black Power Salute
2008-07-09
A film about one of the most iconic images of the 20th century, the moment when the radical spirit o
In Search of Greatness
2018-11-02
A cinematic journey into the secrets of genius as told through the greatest athletes of all time. It
Behind the Shield: The Power and Politics of the NFL
2022-09-23
Celebrated author and Nation magazine sports editor Dave Zirin tackles the myth that the NFL was som
The Fighters
1974-01-04
Documentary about Ali's rise to glory, beginning with his "Cassius Clay" days back in Louisville.
Freestyle: The Art of Rhyme
2000-04-14
From neighborhood ciphers to the most notorious MC battles, "Freestyle: the Art of Rhyme" captures t
Fight of the Century
1971-03-08
Legendary boxing match between Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali in Madison Square Garden on March 8, 197
The Greatest
1977-05-17
Muhammad Ali's life story up to the late 1970s, which includes his Olympic boxing triumphs as Cassiu
Doin' Time
1985-05-19
Duke Jarrett is sent to jail at the John Dillinger prison. However, the prison looks more like a zoo
Malcolm X
1972-05-24
James Earl Jones narrates this fascinating and moving documentary about the life of the assassinated
Muhammad and Larry
2009-10-27
In October of 1980 Muhammad Ali was preparing to fight for an unprecedented fourth heavyweight title
Cassius Clay vs. Doug Jones
1963-03-13
Cassius Clay (soon Muhammad Ali) and Doug Jones fought a ten-round boxing match at Madison Square Ga
Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier II
1974-01-28
Ali vs. Frazier II was a boxing fight, the second of three bouts between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazie
Cassius Clay vs. Alonzo Johnson
1961-07-22
The Cassius Clay vs. Alonzo Johnson ten-round boxing match between Cassius Clay and Alonzo Johnson w
Larry Holmes vs. Muhammad Ali
1980-10-02
Larry Holmes vs. Muhammad Ali, billed as "The Last Hurrah!", was a professional boxing bout conteste
Muhammad Ali vs. Floyd Patterson II
1972-09-20
Muhammad Ali vs. Floyd Patterson II was a boxing event that took place on September 20, 1972 for the
Muhammad Ali vs. Floyd Patterson I
1965-11-22
Muhammad Ali vs. Floyd Patterson I took place on November 22, 1965 for the WBC/Ring/lineal world hea
Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier I
1971-03-08
Joe Frazier vs. Muhammad Ali, billed as The Fight Of The Century or simply The Fight, was a heavywei
The Rumble in the Jungle: George Foreman vs. Muhammad Ali
1974-10-30
George Foreman vs. Muhammad Ali, billed as The Rumble in the Jungle, was a heavyweight championship
Say Hey, Willie Mays!
2022-10-27
Follow Willie Mays’ life both on and off the field over five decades as he navigated the American sp
Muhammad Ali - Through The Eyes Of The World
2001-11-19
"This is a kid who just said it. I'm the greatest - and he said it with poetry. And I don't mean jus
The Documented Life and Times of Muhammad Ali - The Greatest
2002-05-17
Charting the life and times of Muhammad Ali, this documentary begins in Louisville, Kentucky, the bi
Ali Rap
2006-08-06
Iconic, eclectic, and internationally renowned, Muhammad Ali was much more than a boxer; he articula
Champions Forever - World Heavyweight Champs!
2000-05-17
Previously unseen footage, seeing and hearing the champions interviewed and talking to each other at
a.k.a. Cassius Clay
1970-11-03
The study of crazy brilliance and flamboyant sincerity. a.k.a. Cassius Clay presents a fascinating l
Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street
2021-04-23
Take a stroll down Sesame Street and witness the birth of the most influential children's show in te
Norman Mailer: The American
2012-05-18
A provocateur, a rebel, a performer, and a true American, Norman Mailer never stopped giving people
Cassius le grand
1964-12-01
Portrait of American boxer Cassius Clay.
The Best of ABC's Wide World of Sports: The 60's
1990-01-29
ABC's Wide World of Sports first started spanning the globe in 1960, and a generation of sports fans
The Super Fight
1970-01-20
Retired, undefeated Heavyweight World champion Rocky Marciano and the then current undefeated Heavyw
Black Rodeo
1972-05-01
Documentary about a rodeo that takes place, for the most part, in Harlem.
Out From Ali's Shadow: The Larry Holmes Story
2006-01-01
Larry Holmes is undeniably one of the greatest boxers in heavyweight history, but, despite his accom
O.J.: Made in America
2016-05-20
A chronicle of the rise and fall of O.J. Simpson, whose high-profile murder trial exposed the extent
Mike Tyson vs Larry Holmes
1988-01-22
On January 22, 1988, Holmes was lured out of retirement to challenge reigning Undisputed World Heavy
Muhammad Ali vs. Trevor Berbick
1981-12-11
Muhammad Ali vs. Trevor Berbick, billed as "Drama in Bahama", was a ten-round boxing match that took
Mike Tyson vs Trevor Berbick
1986-11-22
TYSON WINS W.B.C. CHAMPIONSHIP LAS VEGAS, Nev., Nov. 22— Mike Tyson made history tonight. The 20-y
Body and Soul
1981-10-09
A young man struggles to become a boxing champ, but success blinds him. It is only through the love
Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration
2001-11-13
The Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Special was a 2001 New York City revue show by Michael Jackson
Parkinson at 50
2021-08-28
Sir Michael Parkinson looks back over his 50 years as a broadcaster, revealing some tricks of the in
Muhammad Ali's Greatest Fight
2013-10-04
Muhammad Ali’s historic Supreme Court battle from behind closed doors. When Ali was drafted into the
The Trials of Muhammad Ali
2013-08-23
Brash boxer Cassius Clay burst into the American consciousness in the early 1960s, just ahead of the
Darts Tarts – Welcome to my World
2006-10-05
Jacques Peretti sets out to find out what happened to the game that obsessed him as a kid. In this d
Rumble in the Jungle
2009-09-07
Take a trip back to Zaire to relive one of the most historic chapters in boxing history, where the y
Thrilla in Manila
2019-06-01
The 'Thrilla in Manila' was the third and final epic contest between the irrepressible heavyweight c
WWE: Hulk Hogan: The Ultimate Anthology
2006-10-17
The best and most memorable matches from Hulk Hogan's career.
Cassius X: Becoming Ali
2023-10-13
Cassius X puts a period of often-overlooked history into the spotlight – the period when Cassius Cla
Untold: Jake Paul the Problem Child
2023-08-01
Pro boxing sensation — and perennial troublemaker — Jake Paul shares his unlikely journey from onlin
Pelé
2021-02-23
Against the backdrop of a turbulent era in Brazil, this documentary captures Pelé's extraordinary pa
The Real Rocky
2011-10-25
Chuck Wepner is a liquor salesman from Bayonne, N.J., who drives a Cadillac with “Champ” vanity plat
McEnroe
2022-07-15
Legendary "bad boy of tennis" John McEnroe finally tells his side of his storied career and famously
Diana
1981-03-02
Diana Ross' 1981 TV special featuring live concert footage from The Forum in Inglewood, California m
I Am Ali
2014-10-10
Unprecedented access to Muhammad Ali's personal archive of "audio journals" as well as interviews an
Muhammad Ali The Whole Story
1996-09-03
Muhammad Ali. He is known as the most thrilling athlete of all time... he is known as The Greatest.
Muhammad Ali - The Greatest Collection
1999-06-15
Ali's greatest fights in full length with original microphone 1. I Shook Up the World: Clay vs. List
Tribute to Chuck Wepner: The Legacy and Retirement of the Real Rocky Balboa
2023-02-21
Legendary veteran American boxer Chuck Wepner receives a message from his wife Linda, notifying him
Night of 100 Stars III
1990-05-21
A celebrity benefit for The Actors' Fund of America, featuring music, songs, dance and comedy.
Mister Candid Camera
2021-03-20
The story of the life and career of comical genius Allen Funt, and his legacy as the mastermind of t
Requiem for a Heavyweight
1962-10-16
After suffering a brutal defeat and being told he can no longer fight, 37-year-old, scar-ridden priz
Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am
2019-06-21
This artful and intimate meditation on the legendary storyteller examines her life, her works, and t
Muhammad Ali: The Greatest
1991-01-01
This video traces the life and career of Muhammad Ali, the man who was born to fight. He started box
Franz Klammer - The Ski "Kaiser" Will Be 70
2023-12-03
ORF chief director Michael Kögler met the legend again 30 years after his multi-award-winning docume
70 Jahre Annemarie Moser-Pröll – Ein Leben als Wintermärchen
2023-10-29
In this documentary, the ski legend and her companions look back on their career as a glittering win
Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier III
1975-10-01
Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier lll, billed as the "Thrilla in Manila", was the third and final boxing
Legends of Mid-South Wrestling
2013-09-10
For the first time ever, WWE presents the Legends of Mid-South Wrestling. One of the 1980’s hottest
My Father Muhammad Ali
2023-01-13
The story of champion boxer Muhammad Ali through the eyes of his only biological son, Muhammad Ali J
Muhammad Ali vs. Sonny Liston II
1965-05-25
Because of the unexpected ending of the first bout, the World Boxing Council ordered a rematch, this
Muhammad Ali vs. Sonny Liston I
1964-02-25
The 32 year old Liston defended his title against the 22 year old Clay on February 25, 1964, in Miam
James Bond: The First 21 Years
1983-05-27
A look back at the first 21 years of Britain's most successful film series.
Andre the Giant
2018-04-10
An ambitious and wide-ranging documentary exploring Andre’s upbringing in France, his celebrated car
Thrilla in Manila
2008-11-11
On October 1, 1975, World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Muhammad Ali was in the ring with his arch riv
WWE Hall of Fame 2024
2024-04-05
Paul Heyman, Bull Nakano, Muhammad Ali, The U.S. Express, Lia Maivia and Thunderbolt Patterson recei
Sticky: A (Self) Love Story
2016-02-14
"Sticky" is everything your mother was too embarrassed to tell you about masturbation, in one stimul
Something's Happening
1967-12-19
A documentary chronicling the "youth movement" of the late '60s on Los Angeles' Sunset Strip and San
Kings of the Ring: Four Legends of Heavyweight Boxing
1995-01-01
This comprehensive HBO presentation documents the history of heavyweight boxing through the 20th cen
Kings of The Ring - History of Heavyweight Boxing 1919-1990
1995-01-01
The BBC produced “Kings of The Ring – History of Heavyweight Boxing 1919-1990” celebrates boxing’s m
Freedom Road
1979-10-29
Ex-slave and former Union soldier Gideon Jackson represents other ex-slaves at the constitutional co
Sugar Ray Robinson: The Bright Lights and Dark Shadows of a Champion
1998-12-08
This sports documentary tells the remarkable story of the man voted the greatest boxer in history. S
Money Talks
1972-08-30
From Allen Funt, the creator of TV's "Candid Camera." The hidden camera is pointed at people dealing
When Ali Met Cathal
2009-01-05
In advance of his fight with Al ‘Blue’ Lewis at Croke Park in Dublin, Cathal O’Shannon interviews Mu
TV in Black: The First Fifty Years
2004-01-01
Discover how television has reflected the African American experience in this retrospective of the m
Ali & Cavett: The Tale of the Tapes
2018-08-02
The life and times of Muhammed Ali shown through the lens of his numerous appearances on The Dick Ca
Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson
2008-07-18
Fueled by a raging libido, Wild Turkey, and superhuman doses of drugs, Thompson was a true "free lan
Funny Girl to Funny Lady
1975-03-09
A benefit concert for the Special Olympics and an opportunity to promote Streisand's upcoming film (
Facing Ali
2009-05-29
Ten of Muhammad Ali's former rivals pay tribute to the three-time world heavyweight champion.
The Last Round: Chuvalo vs. Ali
2003-04-01
Get a ringside seat for one of the most unforgettable fights in the history of boxing with this docu
Africa Rising
2019-06-03
How African artists have spread African culture all over the world, especially music, since the hars
Jack Paar: Smart Television
2003-11-29
PBS documentary examining the work of Jack Paar.
Les vendredis d'Apostrophes
2015-11-06
Hours and historical meetings, Pierre Assouline has composed an anthology of the best extracts prese
Tyson
2008-05-16
Director James Toback takes an unflinching, uncompromising look at the life of Mike Tyson--almost so
Ali-Frazier I: One Nation... Divisible
2000-08-17
In sports history, there are moments that define the essence of competition. In boxing, it is a 1971
Leon Spinks vs Muhammad Ali II
1978-09-15
Leon Spinks vs. Muhammad Ali II, was a professional boxing match contested on September 15, 1978, in
Boxing's Greatest Champions
1995-03-27
Boxing Writers of America select the best fighters of all time in each weight division, leading up t
WWE: Undertaker 20-0 - The Streak
2012-07-23
Walk the dark and hallowed path of he who cannot be buried. The Apocalyptic Warrior who has denied s
Legends Never Die
2006-06-01
Death Has Fallen on Deaf Ears in the World of Professional Sports. Step into the ring and watch all
Muhammad Ali: The Greatest
2014-01-01
Hear from the people who knew him best, from experts of the world of boxing, relive the legendary fi
Muhammad Ali: Made in Miami
2008-06-01
Documentary chronicles the many ways in which the city of Miami helped transform little-known Olympi
The Journey of the African-American Athlete
1996-02-12
Documentary feature exploring the rise of African-Americans to positions of greatness in American sp
Muhammad Ali - Rumble in the Jungle
2016-06-04
Champions Forever
1989-11-01
No other film has the sweeping review of Ali's greatest fights, the legendary fight footage, and the
B.B. King: Live In Africa '74
1998-05-13
In 1974, Muhammad Ali and George Foreman held their heavyweight title fight in Zaire, billing it as
James Brown - The Night James Brown Saved Boston
2008-04-05
On April 5, 1968, soul legend James Brown performed a concert in Boston that many say shielded that
Naked Sport: Welcome to the Sewer
1993-05-01
Produced by PBS in 1992, this documentary explores the darker side of boxing. It follows the career
Da 5 Bloods
2020-06-12
Four African-American Vietnam veterans return to Vietnam. They are in search of the remains of their
Ali's Dozen
2006-12-09
Ali's Dozen profiles the 12 rounds that defined his genius, showcasing Ali the boxer and by extensio
The Best of the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts
1998-01-01
Video series spotlighting memorable moments and roasts hosted by Dean Martin. "Dean Martin Celebrity
WrestleMania
1985-03-31
The first annual WrestleMania professional wrestling pay-per-view event taking place on March 31, 19
WCW Halloween Havoc 1994
1994-10-23
Hulk Hogan battles Ric Flair in a Career vs. Career Steel Cage Match with the WCW World Heavyweight
The Fight
1974-01-01
In 1971, maverick filmmaker William Greaves trained his cameras on both Muhammad Ali and his opponen
The Champ and the King
2018-10-11
On February 14, 1973 Elvis presented Muhammad Ali with an 'Elvis Style' robe emblazoned with the wor
Black Is Beltza
2018-10-05
New York City, October 10, 1965. A group of wooden giant figures from Pamplona, representing Basque
Muhammad Ali, the Greatest
2001-01-01
Passport Video documentary about boxer Muhammad Ali
Blood Brothers: Malcolm X & Muhammad Ali
2021-09-08
From a chance meeting to a tragic fallout, Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali's extraordinary bond cracks un
Muhammad Ali: Fighting Spirit
2009-10-10
Born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jnr in 1942, Muhammad Ali changed his name when he converted to Sunni Is
Beatles '64
2024-11-24
Featuring never-before-seen footage of the band and the legions of young fans who helped fuel their
Wake Up and Apologise
1972-07-17
In advance of his fight with Al 'Blue' Lewis at Croke Park in Dublin, Cathal O'Shannon interviews Mu
Monday Night Mayhem
2002-01-14
The early years of a television sports powerhouse are chronicled as ABC becomes a player in the NFL
When Ali Came to Britain
The story of Muhammad Ali's visits to Britain over almost five decades - including his trainer Angel
American Made
2017-08-18
The true story of pilot Barry Seal, who transported contraband for the CIA and the Medellin cartel i
Atlanta 1996: Games of the XXVI Olympiad - Opening Ceremony
1996-07-19
Live coverage of the opening ceremony of the 1996 Summer Olympics which took place in the evening on
Pelé Forever
2004-06-25
The life of the "King of Football" Pelé is shown through testimonials from former players, friends a
United We Stand: The Ali Summit
2018-06-04
Chronicling the single-afternoon gathering (June 4, 1967) of 11 American athletes and a politician.
Ali: The Mission
2013-01-16
The feats of Muhammad Ali's remarkable life. In 1990, the boxing legend traveled to Iraq to press a
Best of Enemies
2015-07-31
A documentary about the legendary series of nationally televised debates in 1968 between two great p
Robbed
2014-12-03
In 1976, Muhammad Ali and Ken Norton met inside the ring at Yankee Stadium. The conclusion of the fi
Kings of the Square Ring
1978-11-03
KINGS OF THE SQUARE RING captures some of the most amazing battles ever seen in the field of mixed m
When Boxing Ruled The World
2001-04-19
Documentary looking back at the golden era of heavyweight boxing which occurred at the dawn of globa
The Summer of Love
2017-07-01
In 1967 an expressive, colourful musical force painted a backdrop of social change, fashion, love, t