Idris Elba
Originally from Hackney, London, England, UK, Idris Elba rose to become one of the most recognized Actors from British.
Idris Elba (born September 6, 1972) is a British television, theatre, and film actor who has starred in both British and American productions. One of his first acting roles was in the soap opera Family Affairs. Since then he has worked in a variety of TV and movie projects including Ultraviolet, The Wire, No Good Deed and Zootopia.
"His portrayal of drug kingpin Stringer Bell in the critically acclaimed HBO series "The Wire" is widely considered his breakout role, establishing him as a formidable dramatic actor." — About Idris Elba
| Metric | Idris Elba | Avg Actor | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age | 53 | 53 | same |
| Career length | 35 yrs | ~35 yrs | same |
| Based on 4322 Actor profiles in our database | |||
See also
Facts about Idris Elba
Did you know that before becoming a successful actor, Idris Elba worked as a tire fitter, a cold caller, and even a DJ in nightclubs in the UK and New York?
- He is also a professional DJ, known as DJ Big Driis, and has performed at major festivals like Coachella.
- Before his acting breakthrough, he worked at Ford Dagenham and took on various odd jobs to support himself.
- He broke a British land speed record in 2015, driving a Bentley Continental GT V8 S at 180.361 mph.
- He trained as a professional kickboxer for a year, culminating in a fight documented in 'Idris Elba: Fighter'.
- He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2016 for his services to drama.
His portrayal of drug kingpin Stringer Bell in the critically acclaimed HBO series "The Wire" is widely considered his breakout role, establishing him as a formidable dramatic actor. Following this, his titular role as DCI John Luther in the BBC series "Luther" cemented his status as a leading man and earned him a Golden Globe Award.
Idris Elba's legacy is defined by his versatile acting range across film and television, breaking barriers for Black British actors in Hollywood. He is celebrated for bringing gravitas and charisma to diverse roles, inspiring a new generation of performers.
