Muhammad Ali: Story, Cast and Series Facts

Story and premise

Muhammad Ali was one of the best-known men of the 20th Century. This three-time heavyweight boxing champion captivated millions of fans throughout the world with his mesmerizing combination of speed, grace, and power in the ring and charm and playful boasting outside of it. At the height of his fame, he took American life—the racial prejudices, the religious biases, the role of celebrities, the role of sports in society—and refashioned it in his own image. Ali insisted on being himself unconditionally and became a global icon and inspiration to people everywhere.

His brazen outspokenness and unsurpassed boxing skills made him a heroic symbol of black masculinity to African Americans across the country. Yet, at times he seemed to take pride in humiliating his black opponents. In an age of sit-ins and freedom rides aimed at ending segregation, his deep ties to the Nation of Islam, a black nationalist organization that preached separation, made him, for a time, among the most feared and reviled men in the country. At the peak of his ability, he bravely sacrificed his career by refusing to go to war in Vietnam – and though he was condemned for it, Muhammad Ali would later be celebrated as a principled pacifist.

He was a faithful Muslim, an unfaithful husband, a proud father, and an adoring son. He was a fearsome warrior who vanquished nearly every opponent but was finally brought down by his stubborn refusal to quit. After boxing, when Parkinson's Syndrome had all but silenced him, he became an international hero, a saint, a symbol of freedom and courage. Today he is one of the most indelible and beloved men in history.

Series details

• Title: Muhammad Ali
• Format: Documentary
• Language: English
• Genres: Sports
• Premiere date: 2021-09-19
• Final broadcast date listed: 2021-09-22
• Status in TVmaze: Ended
• Network listed by TVmaze: PBS
• Network country: United States
• Typical episode runtime: 113 minutes
• TVMaze ID: 57373
• IMDb ID: tt6719950
• TVDB ID: 403212

Cast and credited roles

• Keith David — Narrator
• Muhammad Ali — Muhammad Ali

Seasons in the TVmaze catalogue

• Season 1: premiered 2021-09-19; final listed air date 2021-09-22; episode order: 4.

Source and licence

Adapted from Muhammad Ali on TVmaze. The synopsis is reproduced as plain text; catalogue facts, cast and season records are selected and reformatted. This adapted text is available under CC BY-SA 4.0, following the TVmaze API licence. Network and web-channel credits identify the service listed in this source; they do not establish current streaming availability.