Idris Elba

Idris Elba Headshot

Actor

Birth Date: September 6, 1972

Age: 51 years old

Birth Place: Hackney, London, England, UK

British actor, Idris Elba became known for playing the Baltimore drug dealer Stringer Bell on HBO's widely-acclaimed drama "The Wire" (HBO, 2002-08), in addition to countless other high profile television and film roles. Elba was born in Hackney, London in 1972. His parents were immigrants (his father was born in Sierra Leone, while his mother was from Ghana), and moved to London by way of Sierra Leone shortly before Elba was born. Elba grew up in East Ham and Hackney, and first got interested in acting after seeing an advertisement in a London-based entertainment publication. The advertisement was asking newbie actors to audition for a new play. Elba jumped at the opportunity, and showed up at the audition. On his first try, Elba landed the part, and would later meet his first agent while performing in the play. Performing in the play was an eye-opening experience for Elba, who decided quickly after that he wanted to be an actor. At the age of 16 he was able to land a huge break by landing a spot in the National Youth Music Theater, thanks to a grant from the Prince's Trust charitable organization. While a member of the National Youth Music Theater, Elba was able to hone his acting craft, while developing the necessary skills he needed to make it as a performer. It was also around this time that Elba began working for his uncle's wedding D.J. company and found that he absolutely loved scratching records. His love grew so strong that by his late teens Elba embarked on a career as a D.J. He would go on to play music in London nightclubs in the evening, while working a number of odd jobs by the day. In his early 20s Elba made a serious attempt at launching his acting career. In addition to working his D.J. jobs, in which he went by the name of Big Driis, he began auditioning for film and TV roles. By the mid-1990s, Elba was landing steady acting work in the U.K. He nabbed guest spots on the children's sitcom "2point4 Children" (BBC One, 1991-99) and the British comedy series "Absolutely Fabulous" (BBC Two/BBC One, 1992-2012), before landing a recurring role on the crime series "The Ruth Rendell Mysteries" (ITV, 1987-2000). By the late 90s and early 2000s Elba was nabbing recurring parts on a number of British television shows, including "Insiders" (BBC One, 1997), "Ultraviolet" (Channel 4, 1998), and "Dangerfield" (BBC One, 1995-99). Then in 2002 Elba landed his first big break across the pond when he was cast as Stringer Bell, a Baltimore-based drug kingpin, on David Simon's multi-layered crime drama series "The Wire." Elba played Stringer Bell for 37 episodes of the widely-acclaimed series, before his character was killed off in season 3. After playing Stringer Bell for three years, Idris Elba's acting career in both the U.K. and the United States flourished. In addition to nabbing parts in high-profile films like "28 Weeks Later" (2007) and "American Gangster" (2007), he starred as the title character in the BBC crime series "Luther" (BBC One, 2010 - ). He also landed a recurring role on the beloved American sitcom "The Office" (NBC, 2005-2013) in 2009. By the early 2010s Elba's acting profile continued to grow at a rapid pace. He appeared in blockbuster films like "Thor" (2011), "Prometheus" (2012), and "Pacific Rim" (2013), and was also cast as Nelson Mandela in the 2013 bio pic "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom" (2013). In 2016 Elba was nominated for a Golden Globe for his captivating performance in the drama "Beasts of No Nation" (2015), and appeared in the films "Molly's Game" (2017) and "Avengers: Infinity War" (2018). 2019 also proved to be a big year for Idris Elba. In addition to co-creating and starring in the Netflix series "Turn Up Charlie" (Netflix, 2019- ), a partially autobiographical show that was based on his experiences as a D.J., Elba appeared alongside The Rock and Jason Statham in the blockbuster action film "Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs and Shaw" (2019). When "Hobbs and Shaw" was released in the summer of 2019 the film made over $700 billion, making it one of the highest grossing films of the year-just another reason why Idris Elba had certified his status as one of Hollywood's most bankable actors of the 2010s.

Credits

Knuckles

Executive Producer
Miniseries
2024

Knuckles

Voice
Knuckles
Miniseries
2024

Screen Actors Guild Awards

Self
Awards
2024

Phi vụ động trời

Actor
Show
2024

Sonic the Hedgehog 3

Voice
Knuckles
Movie
2024

KISSTORY All Stars with Idris Elba

Host
Show
2023

Best of Kisstory All Stars with FBS

Guest
Show
2023

Kisstory All Stars with Fatboy Slim

Self
Show
2023

HijackStream

Actor
Sam Nelson
Series
2023
88%

HijackStream

Executive Producer
Series
2023
88%

Oscars 2023: Highlights

Host
Show
2023

Luther: The Fallen SunStream

Actor
John Luther
Movie
2023
68%

Luther: The Fallen SunStream

Producer
Movie
2023
68%

Zootopia+Stream

Voice
Chief Bogo
Series
2022

Human PlaygroundStream

Executive Producer
Docuseries
2022

Human PlaygroundStream

Narrator
Docuseries
2022

Strijelcevo iskupljenje

Actor
Show
2022

Idris Elba's Fight School

Host
Show
2022

An Audience With Adele

Self
Show
2022

Sonic the Hedgehog 2Stream

Voice
Knuckles
Movie
2022
69%

Three Thousand Years of LongingStream

Actor
The Djinn
Movie
2022
71%

BeastStream

Actor
Dr. Nate Samuels
Movie
2022
69%

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the HorseStream

Voice
Fox
Movie
2022
78%

A New Diva's Christmas CarolStream

Executive Producer
Movie
2022

CBS Mornings

Guest
News
2021

The Suicide Squad: Extras

Actor
Show
2021

MTV 월드스테이지 Africa Day 2021 Highlights

Host
Show
2021

The Suicide SquadStream

Actor
Bloodsport
Movie
2021
90%

The Harder They FallStream

Actor
Rufus Buck
Movie
2021
88%

Idris Elba Meets Paul McCartney

Host
Show
2020

The Ruth Rendell Mysteries: Simisola

Actor
Show
2020

A World of CalmStream

Narrator
Reality
2020

A World of Calm 06

Narrator
Show
2020

The Drew Barrymore ShowStream

Guest
Talk
2020

Africa Day Benefit Concert 2020

Host
Show
2020

GMA3: What You Need to Know

Guest
Show
2020

One World: Together at Home

Actor
Show
2020

Elba vs. Block

Executive Producer
Reality
2020

Elba vs. Block

Host
Reality
2020

Coachella: 20 Years in the Desert

Actor
Show
2020

Oprah Talks COVID-19

Guest
Show
2020

Concrete CowboyStream

Actor
Harp
Movie
2020
80%

Concrete CowboyStream

Producer
Movie
2020
80%

The Kelly Clarkson ShowStream

Guest
Talk
2019

Today With Hoda & Jenna

Guest
Show
2019

Turn Up CharlieStream

Actor
Charlie
Series
2019
52%

Turn Up CharlieStream

Creator
Series
2019
52%

Turn Up CharlieStream

Executive Producer
Series
2019
52%

Desus & Mero

Guest
Show
2019

Strahan & Sara

Guest
Show
2019

Wiley Feat. Sean Paul, Idris Elba, Stefflon Don: Boasty

Music Performer
Show
2019

Afrobeats

Music Performer
Show
2019

Wiley Feat. Sean Paul, Idris Elba, Stefflon Don: Boasty (Alternate Version)

Music Performer
Show
2019

MC MAX MIX

Music Performer
Show
2019

Backyard BBQ

Music Performer
Show
2019

Jay Sean SummerFine

Music Performer
Show
2019

Sarkodie Feat. Idris Elba and Donae'O: Party & Bull...

Music Performer
Show
2019

Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & ShawStream

Actor
Brixton
Movie
2019
67%

CatsStream

Actor
Macavity
Movie
2019
19%

Luther: Extras

Actor
Show
2018

Today 3rd Hour

Guest
Show
2018

Beyond Long Walk To Freedom

Actor
Show
2018

Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom

Actor
Show
2018

The Big Narstie Show

Guest
Show
2018

The Jess Cagle Interview

Guest
Show
2018

In The Long Run

Actor
Walter Easmon
Show
2018

In The Long Run

Producer
Show
2018

Avengers: Infinity WarStream

Actor
Heimdall
Movie
2018
85%

Yardie

Director
Movie
2018

Access

Guest
Show
2017

Complex X Fuse

Guest
Show
2017

The Sunday Project

Guest
Show
2017

Live with Kelly and Ryan

Guest
Talk
2017

GuerrillaStream

Actor
Kent
Series
2017
75%

GuerrillaStream

Executive Producer
Series
2017
75%

Five by Five

Actor
Show
2017

Idris Elba: Fighter

Actor
Show
2017

Idris Elba: Fighter

Executive Producer
Show
2017

Thor: RagnarokStream

Actor
Heimdall
Movie
2017
93%

The Dark TowerStream

Actor
Roland
Movie
2017
15%

The Mountain Between UsStream

Actor
Ben Bass
Movie
2017
38%

Molly's GameStream

Actor
Charlie Jaffey
Movie
2017
82%

Madonna: Rebel Heart TourStream

Actor
Movie
2016

SYFY Presents: Live From Comic-Con

Guest
Show
2016

The Met: Fashion in an Age of Technology

Host
Show
2016

Mandela, Me and My Dad

Actor
Show
2016

Celebrity PageStream

Guest
News
2016

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Feat. Idris Elba: Dance Off

Music Performer
Show
2016

Macklemore Feat. Idris Elba: Dance Off

Music Performer
Show
2016

The Jungle BookStream

Voice
Shere Khan
Movie
2016
94%

Star Trek BeyondStream

Actor
Krall
Movie
2016
86%

ZootopiaStream

Voice
Chief Bogo
Movie
2016
98%

Finding DoryStream

Voice
Fluke
Movie
2016
94%

Bastille Day

Actor
Sean Briar
Movie
2016

A Hundred Streets

Actor
Max
Movie
2016

A Hundred Streets

Producer
Movie
2016

Krutye mery

Actor
Movie
2016

Mandela, My Dad And Me

Actor
Show
2015

Luther: The Journey So Far

Actor
Show
2015

The Daily Show with Trevor NoahStream

Guest
Talk
2015

The Late Show With Stephen ColbertStream

Guest
Talk
2015

Playhouse Presents: Pavement Psychologist

Director
Show
2015

Playhouse Presents: Pavement Psychologist

Writer
Show
2015

The Late Late Show With James CordenStream

Guest
Talk
2015

Hot OnesStream

Guest
Reality
2015

The Gunman

Actor
DuPont
Movie
2015

Avengers: Age of UltronStream

Actor
Heimdall
Movie
2015
76%

Mandela, My Dad and Me

Actor
Movie
2015

Mandela, My Dad and Me

Executive Producer
Movie
2015

Beasts of No NationStream

Actor
Commandant
Movie
2015
91%

Beasts of No NationStream

Producer
Movie
2015
91%

K. Michelle: The Rebellious Soul Musical

Director
Show
2014

The Ones To Watch

Actor
Show
2014

Late Night With Seth MeyersStream

Guest
Talk
2014

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonStream

Guest
Talk
2014

Going for Gold

Guest
Show
2014

No Good DeedStream

Actor
Colin
Movie
2014
12%

No Good DeedStream

Executive Producer
Movie
2014
12%

Enchanted Kingdom

Narrator
Movie
2014

Second Coming

Actor
Mark
Movie
2014

Idris Elba: King of Speed

Host
Show
2013

etalk's 2013 Holiday Movie Guide

Guest
Show
2013

The Queen Latifah Show

Guest
Talk
2013

The Real

Guest
Talk
2013

Pacific RimStream

Actor
Stacker Pentecost
Movie
2013
72%

Thor: The Dark WorldStream

Actor
Heimdall
Movie
2013
67%

Mandela: Long Walk to FreedomStream

Actor
Nelson Mandela
Movie
2013
62%

Idris Elba: No Limits

Host
Show
2012

Live! With Kelly and Michael

Guest
Talk
2012

Entertainment Studios.TV

Actor
Show
2012

Prometheus: Extras

Actor
Show
2012

CBS This Morning: Saturday

Guest
Show
2012

CBS This Morning

Guest
Show
2012

PrometheusStream

Actor
Janek
Movie
2012
73%

Undeniable

Actor
Show
2011

LIVE with Kelly

Guest
Talk
2011

The Jonathan Ross ShowStream

Guest
Talk
2011

Dish Nation

Guest
Talk
2011

ThorStream

Actor
Heimdall
Movie
2011
77%

Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance

Actor
Moreau
Movie
2011

Gumball 3000 - LDN 2 NYC

Self
Movie
2011

Demons Never Die

Executive Producer
Movie
2011

George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight

Guest
Show
2010

Lorraine

Guest
Show
2010

The Big C

Guest Star
Lenny
Show
2010

Sunday Morning Live

Guest
Show
2010

LutherStream

Actor
John Luther
Series
2010
88%

LutherStream

Associate Editor
Series
2010
88%

LutherStream

Associate Producer
Series
2010
88%

LutherStream

Producer
Series
2010
88%

TakersStream

Actor
Gordon Jennings
Movie
2010
28%

The Losers

Actor
Roque
Movie
2010

Legacy

Actor
Malcolm Gray
Movie
2010

Lopez Tonight

Guest
Show
2009

ES.TV

Guest
Show
2009

The Project

Guest
Show
2009

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective AgencyStream

Actor
Series
2009

Late Night With Jimmy Fallon

Guest
Talk
2009

The Unborn

Actor
Father Arthur Wyndham
Movie
2009

ObsessedStream

Actor
Derek Charles
Movie
2009
19%

Afropop: The Ultimate Cultural Exchange

Host
Show
2008

Prom Night

Actor
Det. Winn
Movie
2008

RocknRollaStream

Actor
Mumbles
Movie
2008
60%

The Human Contract

Actor
Larry
Movie
2008

Chelsea Lately

Actor
Talk
2007

Chelsea Lately

Guest
Talk
2007

The Graham Norton ShowStream

Guest
Talk
2007

American GangsterStream

Actor
Tango
Movie
2007
81%

The Reaping

Actor
Ben
Movie
2007

Daddy's Little GirlsStream

Actor
Monty
Movie
2007
26%

28 Weeks LaterStream

Actor
Gen. Stone
Movie
2007
72%

This ChristmasStream

Actor
Quentin Whitfield
Movie
2007
55%

The One Show

Guest
Show
2006

etalk

Guest
Show
2006

Made in Hollywood

Guest
Series
2005

The Tyra Show

Guest
Talk
2005

Entertainment Tonight Canada

Guest
Show
2005

ET Canada

Guest
Show
2005

The OfficeStream

Guest Star
Charles Miner
Series
2005
81%

Jonny Zero

Guest Star
Show
2005

Sometimes in April

Actor
Augustin
Movie
2005

The Gospel

Actor
Reverend Charles Frank
Movie
2005

The Insider

Guest
Show
2004

The Ellen DeGeneres Show

Guest
Talk
2003

Jimmy Kimmel Live!Stream

Guest
Talk
2003

One Love

Actor
Aaron
Movie
2003

Hack

Guest Star
Show
2002

CSI: MiamiStream

Guest Star
Series
2002

Loose Women

Guest
Show
2002

The WireStream

Actor
Russell "Stringer" Bell
Series
2002
94%

The Wire FREE

Actor
Russell "Stringer" Bell
Show
2002

Last Call With Carson Daly

Guest
Talk
2002

Friday Night with Jonathan Ross

Guest
Show
2001

Ultravioleta

Actor
Show
2000

GirlfriendsStream

Guest Star
Series
2000

Sneak Preview

Actor
Show
2000

Belle maman

Actor
Grégoire
Movie
1999

Ultraviolet

Actor
Vaughn Rice
Show
1998

Kickin' It: With Byron Allen

Guest
Show
1998

The View

Guest
Talk
1997

Silent Witness: Blood, Sweat and Tears

Actor
Charlie
Movie
1997

Access Hollywood

Guest
News
1996

Ruth Rendell Mysteries: Heartstones

Actor
Movie
1996

BramwellStream

Actor
Charlie Carter
Series
1995

Dangerfield

Actor
Show
1995

Extra

Guest
News
1994

Late Show With David Letterman

Guest
Talk
1993

Law & OrderStream

Guest Star
Series
1990

This Morning

Guest
Show
1988

Entertainment Tonight

Guest
News
1981

Good Morning America

Guest
News
1975

Saturday Night LiveStream

Host
Series
1975

Today

Guest
News
1952

News aboutIdris Elba

SAG Awards

2024 Screen Actors Guild Awards: How to Watch, Presenters, Nominees & More

Idris Elba as Sam in 'Hijack'

‘Hijack’ Renewed for Season 2 at Apple TV+ — Idris Elba Teases ‘Top Secret’ Situation

Idris Elba in Hijack

‘Hijack’: Will There Be a Season 2 of Idris Elba Drama Series?

Idris Elba in 'Luther,' James Roday Rodriguez in 'Psych,' and Angela Lansbury in 'Murder, She Wrote'

Ranking the TV Detectives We’d Want Solving Crimes for Us

Harry Michell and Idris Elba in 'Hijack'
Exclusive

‘Hijack’ Sneak Peek: Can Sam Trust Big News From Passenger? (VIDEO)

Idris Elba in 'Hijack'

‘Hijack’: What Idris Elba Needs to Say Yes to a Season 2

Idris Elba in Hijack
Spoiler Alert

‘Hijack’: Idris Elba Says ‘Sam Is a Little Naive’ About His Situation on Plane

Idris Elba in 'Hijack'
Review

Roush Review: Fasten Your Seat Belts for Apple’s Real-Time Thriller ‘Hijack’

Idris Elba in Hijack

‘Hijack’: Idris Elba Tries to Save Plane Passengers in Trailer for Apple TV+ Series (VIDEO)

Idris Elba in Luther: The Fallen Sun

‘Luther: The Fallen Sun’: Idris Elba Breaks Out of Prison to Hunt a Killer in Trailer (VIDEO)

Idris Elba in Netflix's 'Luther' film

Netflix Reveals First Look Images From Upcoming ‘Luther’ Film (PHOTOS)

Gabourey Sidibe - All I Didn’t Want For Christmas

VH1 Announces Holiday Movie Lineup Starring Gabourey Sidibe, Ashanti, Ne-Yo & More

Idris Elba at the Sonic the Hedgehog 2 premiere

‘Hijack’: Idris Elba to Star in Apple TV+ Thriller

Super Bowl 2022, Must-See Commercials, Guy Fieri, Paul Rudd, Seth Rogen, Danai Gurira, Eugene Levy, Dave Bautista, Brie Larson

Paul Rudd and Seth Rogen Reminisce With Lay’s & More Must-See Super Bowl Ads

Luther - Idris Elba

Idris Elba Returning for ‘Luther’ Film with Cynthia Erivo & Andy Serkis at Netflix

The Harder They Fall Regina King

‘The Harder They Fall’: Regina King & Idris Elba Take on the Wild West in Netflix Trailer (VIDEO)

Luther - Ruth Wilson and Idris Elba

‘Luther,’ ‘The Fall’ & More Murder Mystery Faves Now Airing on Ovation

Idris Elba - Luther

Will There Be Another Season of ‘Luther’? Idris Elba Offers Update

Idris Elba Luther Season 5
Preview

Why You Should Binge ‘Luther’ Season 5 on Amazon Prime Video

Luther 503
Exclusive

‘Luther’ Sneak Peek: What Does Halliday Find in Dr. Lake’s Office? (VIDEO)

Idris Elba as DCI John Luther - Luther - Season 5, Episode 1

See Idris Elba Return to Catch a Killer in ‘Luther’ Season 5 Sneak Peek (PHOTOS)

deadwood luther split
Review

Roush Review: ‘Deadwood: The Movie’ & ‘Luther’ Season 5

AWW gallery cover

15 TV Stars Who Are Always Worth Watching (PHOTOS)

Untitled design (13)

Who’s Hosting ‘Saturday Night Live’ in Season 44?

TUC_102_Unit_00150_R

Netflix’s ‘Turn Up Charlie’ Trailer: Idris Elba Is a Manny With a Tune (VIDEO)

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What Are Those Bracelets Stars Are Wearing on the Golden Globes Red Carpet?

In 'Turn Up Charlie,' Elba plays Charlie, a struggling DJ-turned-reluctant 'manny'
Preview

‘Turn Up Charlie’: First Look at Idris Elba’s New Netflix Series (PHOTOS)

Prince Harry Marries Ms. Meghan Markle - Procession

Royal Wedding 2018: See All the A-List Arrivals (PHOTOS)

Idris Elba attends photocall for The Dark Tower

Idris Elba to Play a Failed DJ in Netflix Comedy Series ‘Turn Up Charlie’

Screen Shot 2018-04-18 at 10.38.45 AM

Netflix Announces ‘GLOW,’ ‘The Innocents’ and More Premiere Dates (VIDEO)

Luther, IDRIS ELBA

Idris Elba to Costar in Showtime’s ‘Guerrilla’

Luther-First-Look-Image_Shorlist-w-BBCA-logo

First Look: Idris Elba in ‘Luther’ Special (PHOTO)