'Moonlight' star Mahershala Ali praises wife in Oscars speech

Feb. 27 (UPI) -- Mahershala Ali offered a loving tribute to his wife, Amatus, who gave birth last week to their first child, in his Oscar acceptance speech Sunday night.

Ali took home the prize for Best Supporting Actor for his work in Moonlight.

"I just want to thank my wife, who was in her third trimester during awards season," Ali said as he collected his statuette. "We just had our daughter four days ago. I just want to thank her for being such a soldier through this process... and really carrying me through it all. So, thank you. Really appreciate it. Peace and blessings."

Ali announced the child's birth on social media Friday.

Moonlight was also named Best Picture at the Oscars after presenters Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty were given the wrong envelope and declared La La Land the winner of the ceremony's highest honor.