Jul 10, 1974

Forest Gate, London, England

Chiwetel Ejiofor is an award-winning British film and stage actor. Born to Nigerian parents of Igbo heritage, Ejiofor began acting in school plays at the age of 13 at Dulwich College. He made his film debut in Steven Spielberg's 1997 film Amistad.

Ejiofor went on to become a prominent stage actor in London. He was awarded the Jack Tinker Award for Most Promising Newcomer at the 2000 London Critics Circle Theatre Awards (Drama). His performance in Blue/Orange at the Royal National Theatre (Cot... ... (read more...) tesloe stage), and later at the Duchess Theatre, received the 2000 London Evening Standard Theatre Award for Outstanding Newcomer and a 2001 nomination for the Laurence Olivier Theatre Award Best Supporting Actor. Ejiofor is also a Shakespearean stage actor, often taking the leading male roles in plays such as in Hamlet and Romeo and Juliet. His role as Romeo was nominated for the Ian Charleson Award in 2000. He will next appear on stage in The Seagull at the Royal Court Theatre.
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In film, Egiofor had his first leading role in the 2005 film Kinky Boots. His performance received Golden Globe and British Independent Film Award nominations. He was also nominated for the 2006 BAFTA Orange Rising Star award, which recognises emerging British film talent. Egiofor's performance in Tsunami: The Aftermath received a 2007 Golden Globe nomination for Best actor (mini-series or film made for TV).