Malcolm X — One Night in Miami... Character Profile

About Malcolm X

Nation of Islam leader who meets Cassius Clay before his Miami title bout. Invites the group to his motel room, sparking intense debates with Sam Cooke over artistic responsibility and Black empowerment. Struggles with FBI harassment and a schism with Elijah Muhammad. Plans a new organization, survives a firebombing, completes his autobiography, and is later assassinated.

Malcolm X — Character Profile

Character Facts

Played by

Kingsley Ben-Adir

Appears in

One Night in Miami... (2020)

Role

Protagonist

Relationships (3)

• Malcolm X — Professional Mentor — Cassius Clay (Eli Goree)

  Spiritual guide and ideological influencer shaping Clay's public transformation.

• Malcolm X — Conflict Ideological Rival — Sam Cooke (Leslie Odom Jr.)

  Direct opponents in a debate over artistic responsibility versus economic survival.

• Malcolm X — Alliance Fellow Advocate — Jim Brown (Aldis Hodge)

  Strategic ally whose presence grounds the conversation in broader black excellence.

Explore the full interactive character relationship map of One Night in Miami...

More characters from One Night in Miami...

• Cassius Clay (Eli Goree)
• Jim Brown (Aldis Hodge)
• Sam Cooke (Leslie Odom Jr.)
• Johnny Carson (Christopher Gorham)
• Betty X (Joaquina Kalukango)
• Mr. Carlton (Beau Bridges)
• Angelo Dundee (Michael Imperioli)
• Bundini Brown (Lawrence Gilliard Jr.)
• Brother Kareem (Lance Reddick)
• Myron Cohen (Randall Newsome)
• Barbara Cooke (Nicolette Robinson)
• Emily Carlton (Emily Bridges)