Jaalen Best Wanted to Be a Pro Athlete. Now He’s Playing ‘The Greatest’ Boxer Onscreen
Jaalen Best, who once hoped to become a professional basketball player, has landed his breakout acting role as Muhammad Ali in Prime Video’s new series, *The Greatest*. His path began after he tried acting at university and discovered he enjoyed performing more than basketball, eventually moving to Los Angeles to pursue a career on screen.
Best balanced basketball practice, classes and theatre rehearsals before graduating and moving west, where he spent several years doing background work and occasional guest roles. He went through seven or eight auditions for *The Greatest*, with the process delayed during the actors’ strike; after a network test and a final meeting with creator Ben Watkins, he was offered the role. The series premieres on 4 November.
In short
- Jaalen Best plays Muhammad Ali in Prime Video’s *The Greatest*.
- He discovered acting while studying at East Carolina University.
- Seven or eight auditions led to his breakout role.
Explained simply
Muhammad Ali was one of the best-known boxers of the 20th century. Born Cassius Clay, he became world heavyweight champion and was also known for his public speaking and his role in American life beyond boxing.
Prime Video’s The Greatest is a series about Ali, whose career included major fights and periods of controversy. Playing him calls for an actor to portray both his sporting achievements and the public figure familiar to audiences around the world.