Chiwetel Ejiofor (born 10.7.1977)
Birth name Chiwetelu Umeadi but known to the public as Chiwetel Ejiofor, is an Actor born in Forest Gate, London. He has had roles in television, theatre and film; with one of his most famous breaks in Steven Spielberg's Amistad. Ejiofor has been nominated for five Golden Globe Award nominations as well as receiving an OBE from Queen Elizabeth II in 2008.
Childhood: Ejiofor was born to Nigerian descendants Arinze his Father who was a doctor and his mother, Obiajulu who was a pharmacist. At the age of thirteen, he began acting at Dulwich College and then joined the National Youth Theatre. In 1988 at the age of eleven, Ejiofor was at a family wedding in Nigeria, when he and his father left the celebrations, they had a head-on collision; unfortunately his father died, but Ejiofor survived with minor cuts to his forehead.
Career: Ejiofor's debut came for television film Deadly Voyage, 1996. He became a student at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, but had to leave after one year. This was due to him receiving a role in Steven Spielberg's Amistad 1997, playing an interpreter Ens. James Covey. The actor would star in many plays, and receive an award in 1999, The Ian Charleson Award and the Jack Tinker Award for Most Promising New-comer from the Critics' Circle Theatre Awards in 2000. Continuing that year, the actor claimed the 'London Evening Standard Theatre Award for Outstanding Newcomer in 2000 and a nomination for the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2001. In 2002, the star made his debut leading role in Stephen Frears British Thriller 'Dirty Pretty Things'. He was awarded the British Independent Award for Best Actor. The actor continued to impress the Film world with many small acting pieces throughout the years. In 2006, the star received two nominations, one for the Golden Globe Awards and another for a British Independent Film Award for his display of singing and dancing in Julian Jarold's 'Kinky Boots'. Appearing Don Cheadle in 2007 film 'Talk to Me', Ejiofor continued to impress in his role as Othello alongside Ewan McGregor as Iago in the same year, receiving the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor. His most recent role of Solomon Northup in 2013's '12 Years A Slave' has caused a huge stir, and catapulted the stars name into the limelight once again. Critics highlighted Ejiofor's chances of receiving another nomination for Best Actor will be high. Ejiofor claimed actors waited their whole careers for opportunities like these, and questioned if he had the capabilities to succeed at the role. His preparation was very detailed and included learning to play the violin, and even commencing in manual labour such as picking-cotton to indulge the role.
Personal Life: In 1988 aged only eleven, Ejiofor unfortunately lost his father when the car he was in had a head on collision with a lorry on the return journey from a wedding in Nigeria.
Biography by Contactmusic.com