M88 has signed actor Jaalen Best for representation.
Best is primed for a breakout moment as he’s set to portray Cassius Clay (later known as Muhammad Ali) in Amazon’s forthcoming show “The Greatest,” the first authorized scripted series about the life of the legendary boxer. Helmed by showrunner Ben Watkins, who also created the hit Prime Video series “Cross,” the show will explore Ali’s life in and out of the ring as he becomes the “Greatest Of All Time.”
“The Greatest” was produced in collaboration with Ali’s estate, with his widow Lonnie Ali also serving as executive producer alongside Michael B. Jordan’s Outlier Society. Jordan is also a M88 client.
“With Jaalen Best, we have uncovered a soulful gem. He is such a talented young man who not only embodies Muhammad, but exudes his resilience, courage, charisma and confidence,” Lonnie Ali said when the series was announced.
Best is known for recurring as Ryan Craig on the CW’s “All American: Homecoming.” He has also appeared in episodes of “Magnum P.I.” and “American Horror Stories.”
In addition to M88, Best will continue to be represented by WME and Goodman, Genow, Schenkman, Smelkinson & Christopher LLP.
Founded in 2020 by former WME partner Phillip Sun and Macro founder and CEO Charles D. King, M88 represents storytellers, actors, writers and multi-hyphenates with an emphasis on BIPOC talent. Led by Sun and partners Oronde Garrett and Gaby Mena, the independently operated representation firm’s client list also includes Taraji P. Henson, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Simu Liu, Gemma Chan, Damson Idris, Winston Duke, Kelly Marie Tran, Issa López, Naomi Scott, Carlos López Estrada, Blitz Bazawule and Lance Gross.
