Idris Elba
Date of birth
6th September, 1972
Occupation
Actor
Sex
Male
Height
1.9
Idris Elba (born 06.11.1972) is an English actor possibly best known for his roles as drug lord Russell "Stringer" Bell in American show 'The Wire' and DCI John Luther in BBC series 'Luther'.
Childhood: Idris Elba grew up in Canning Town, East London. His parents are Winston, a Ford factory worker from Sierra Leone, and Eve, a clerical worker from Ghana; both met in Africa before moving to the UK. When he was 14, he helped his uncle with his job as a wedding DJ and later set up his own DJ company where he played in nightclubs under the name Big Driis. He left school at 16 and joined the National Youth Music Theatre with a grant from the Prince's Trust.
Acting Career: Idris Elba's first credited TV role was as a gigolo on the hit 90s comedy series 'Absolutely Fabulous' which starred Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley. He was Tim Webster in the soap opera 'Family Affairs' and rose to fame in 1998 as Vaughan Rice in the horror series 'Ultraviolet'. He landed his first starring role in 'The Wire' in 2002 after he moved to the US. In 2005, he impressed in American series 'Sometimes in April' and in 2009 he took on a new role in the hit comedy 'The Office'. He was nominated for a Primetime Emmy after making a guest appearance in 'The Big C' and won a Golden Globe as the lead actor in 'Luther'. Idris has appeared in several films, taking on the lead role in 'Tyler Perry's Daddy's Little Girls' in 2007. He also made appearances in the zombie film '28 Weeks Later', 'American Gangster', 'This Christmas', Guy Ritchie's 'RocknRolla' and the horror flick 'The Unborn'. He had a starring role opposite Beyonce Knowles in 'Obsessed' and portrayed a soldier in 2010's 'Legacy'. Most recently, he was in the Marvel based flicks 'Thor' and 'Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance' and Ridley Scott's 'Prometheus'. He is due to appear in the sci-fi dystopia 'Pacific Rim' and has the starring role in an upcoming Nelson Mandela biopic. Idris Elba: Music Career Idris Elba has appeared in several music videos including for Fat Joe, Angie Stone and Giggs in 2001 and Busta Rhymes in 2009. He released his first EP, 'Big Man', on Hevlar Records in 2006 and performed on the intro on Jay-Z's 'American Gangster' album. He released his first single, 'Please Be True', and his second EP, 'Kings Among Kings', in 2009 and his third EP, 'High Class Problems Vol. 1' came out in the UK in 2010. He performed on the intro on Pharoahe Monch's album 'W.A.R.' in 2011 and in Mumford & Sons video for 'Lover of the Light' in 2012.
Personal Life: Idris Elba was formerly married to Dormowa Sherma with whom he has a daughter, Isan. He lives between his home in London and his home in Atlanta close to where Isan lives. He is the Anti-Crime Ambassador for the Prince's Trust and supports the football club Arsenal F.C.
Hilarious Attempted Idris Elba Doll Goes Viral
By Ed Biggs in Bizarre / Weird Wonderful on 15 November 2018
The doll, manufactured by Emperis, looks patently nothing like Elba but is on sale for £850!
Idris Elba may officially be the Sexiest Man Alive, according to People magazine, but apparently that doesn’t mean he’s due the respect of having a doll-maker pay the faintest attention to what he actually looks like, after a ridiculous attempted likeness of the ‘Luther’ star went viral this week.
The supposed lookalike doll is manufactured and designed by British company Emperis, and features a sleek three-piece-suit, blue jeans and brown shoes.
However, what caught the attention of everybody was just how stunningly unlike Idris Elba the actual doll is. For starts, the doll is bald – which Elba quite obviously isn’t – and sports some pretty thin and evil-looking facial features.
Continue reading: Hilarious Attempted Idris Elba Doll Goes Viral
Most Powerful Culturally Diverse Movies Of The Last Five Years
By Holly Mosley in Movies / TV / Theatre on 01 September 2018
When stories that needed to be told, were told well.
It's hard to believe that it's 2018 and Hollywood still occasionally struggles to produce culturally diverse films to represent people of all backgrounds. On the other hand, the last decade - and in particular the last half decade - has seen a rise in movies important for socio-political development.
The 'Trainspotting' director will sadly not be a part of the new project according to a Twitter post from the official 007 account yesterday (August 21st 2018), though there has been no news yet on who could possibly takeover. All we know is that he's had some clashing ideas with long-time Bond producers.
Continue reading: The Lowdown On 'Bond 25': Danny Boyle's Out And Idris Is The Word On The Street
"Door Open" For A Black James Bond Actor, Idris Elba Tagged As Favourite Once Again
By Ed Biggs in Lifestyle / Showbiz on 09 August 2018
Bond boss Barbara Broccoli reckons it's time for a "non-white actor" to play 007 after Daniel Craig, according to Antoine Fuqua.
Having kicked the discussions over the next James Bond into the long grass by having Daniel Craig back for one last film, the film’s bosses have reportedly decided that the path will be clear for a black actor to portray 007 next.
After Spectre in 2015, a recurrent theme in the entertainment news sections across the internet was speculation on who’ll take over the role after Craig, who had previously declared that the film would be his last. Idris Elba, star of ‘Luther’, was one of the front-runners, alongside the likes of Tom Hiddleston and Tom Hardy, but Craig last year signed up for one more film and the question became moot once again.
Now, however, a report by the Daily Star indicates that director Antoine Fuqua revealed what happened when he had a recent discussion with Barbara Broccoli, claiming she said “it is time” for a non-white actor to play James Bond.
Continue reading: "Door Open" For A Black James Bond Actor, Idris Elba Tagged As Favourite Once Again
Idris Elba Will Play The Villain In 'Fast & Furious' Spinoff
By Daniel Falconer in Movies / TV / Theatre on 07 July 2018
Idris Elba's ready to sign on for the upcoming 'Fast & Furious' movie, tackling the villain role.
Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) and Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham) will be making their 'Fast & Furious' return in a spinoff movie aptly titled 'Hobbs and Shaw', set for release in August 2019, and now some details surrounding exactly who'll be joining them have started to emerge.
James BKS - real name James Edjouma - is a French-Cameroonian musician who has previously worked alongside Diddy, Snoop Dogg and Talib Kweli as a producer. He's been producing and composing since around 2006 and while he has been involved with labels before, he's enjoyed a good few years as an independent artist.
Continue reading: Who Is James BKS? Idris Elba Unveils The First Signing On His New Label
Amazon Studios Head Promises 'The Dark Tower' TV Series Isn't "Dead"
By Daniel Falconer in Movies / TV / Theatre on 13 June 2018
If a 'Dark Tower' TV series goes ahead at Amazon, there's no word yet on whether or not Idris Elba would return to his role as The Gunslinger.
Stephen King's 'The Dark Tower' book series is one of the most popular franchises the author has put together. Unfortunately, when the story made the move to the big screen last year, with Idris Elba in the leading role of The Gunslinger, starring opposite Matthew McConaughey's Villainous Man in Black, it flopped in the box office and was panned by critics and wider viewing audiences alike.
What's really interesting for those who love the novels however, is the fact that a television series was being worked on before the film was released. Currently in development behind-the-scenes at Amazon, there hasn't been much news as to whether or not the show would indeed go ahead, or if it had been shelved for the foreseeable future.
Continue reading: Amazon Studios Head Promises 'The Dark Tower' TV Series Isn't "Dead"
Idris Elba Goes From Victor Headley To Victor Hugo With 'Hunchback Of Notre Dame' Reboot
By Holly Williams in Movies / TV / Theatre on 24 May 2018
He's been very busy with his filmmaking ventures recently.
With Disney making endless live action adaptations of animated classics, it seems 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame' could be the next to return to our screens; though this will be rebooted for Netflix with none other than Idris Elba at the helm. Few further details have yet been revealed.
The 45-year-old is also set to star in and produce the forthcoming retelling of the 1831 Victor Hugo novel, though we personally can't see him playing the bell-tower dwelling outcast Quasimodo. It won't be a direct live action translation, however; this is thought to be set in the present day according to reports.
Continue reading: Idris Elba Goes From Victor Headley To Victor Hugo With 'Hunchback Of Notre Dame' Reboot
Idris Elba Gets Engaged At 'Yardie' Screening
By Holly Williams in Movies / TV / Theatre on 12 February 2018
He popped the question to his girlfriend Sabrina Dhowre on stage.
The super smooth Idris Elba proved just how romantic he could be by proposing to his girlfriend of one year Sabrina Dhowre in a London cinema full of people during the preview for his directorial debut 'Yardie' over the weekend. Spoiler alert! She said yes.
It might not sound like the most romantic of settings, but the 45-year-old wanted to make the preview of his first ever feature film directing venture at Rio Cinema in East London on Saturday (February 10th 2018) all the more special by asking his girlfriend to marry him. She certainly seemed to appreciate the gesture.
Continue reading: Idris Elba Gets Engaged At 'Yardie' Screening
Gemma Arterton at the UK premiere of 100 Streets held at the BFI Southbank, London, United Kingdom - Tuesday 8th November 2016
Shots of British actor Idris Elba with a hand injury as he films scenes for 'Luther' on Southwark Bridge in London, United Kingdom - Thursday 19th March 2015
#FUTBOLNOW - In collaboration with Pepsi® MAX triple-threat actor/director/rapper Idris Elba has today released his first short film directorial debut "Unstoppable", as part of Beats of the Beautiful Game. - London, United Kingdom - Wednesday 7th May 2014
Idris Elba - Idris Elba DJs at Bucks Townhouse with celebrity guests Adam Clayton & wife Mariana Teixeira de Carvalho... - Dublin, Ireland - Sunday 4th May 2014
Idris Elba - Celebrities arrive at Bucks nightclub - Dublin, Ireland - Saturday 3rd May 2014