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Chiwetel Ejiofor Biography

Birth Place:
Forest Gate, London, England
Profession
Actor

Fast Facts

  • At 11, was involved in a car accident that killed his father and left a visible scar on Chiwetel's forehead
  • Acting experience started at the prestigious National Youth Theatre in London when he was a young teen; he later attended the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art on a scholarship
  • First big-screen role was in Steven Spielberg's Amistad (1997)
  • Won a British Independent Film Award for best actor in Stephen Frears' Dirty Pretty Things (2002)
  • In 2008, won the best actor Laurence Olivier award for his performance in the Donmar Warehouse production of Othello, which costarred Ewan McGregor as Iago
  • Interviewed CIA agents in preparation of his role opposite Angelina Jolie in the 2010 spy thriller Salt
  • Appointed a CBE (a Commander of the Order of the British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth II in her 2015 Birthday Honours

Awards

  • 2020Emmy-Outstanding Narrator: nominated
  • 2014Critics' Choice Television Awards-Best Actor in a Movie or Mini-Series: nominated
  • 2014Critics' Choice Movie Awards-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2014Critics' Choice Movie Awards-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2014Irish Film & Television Awards-Best International Actor: winner
  • 2014Irish Film & Television Awards-Best International Actor: winner
  • 2014Independent Spirit Awards-Best Male Lead: nominated
  • 2014Independent Spirit Awards-Best Male Lead: nominated
  • 2014BAFTA Film Awards-Best Leading Actor: winner
  • 2014BAFTA Film Awards-Best Leading Actor: winner
  • 2014Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
  • 2014Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
  • 2014Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 2014Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie: nominated
  • 2013Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2013Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2013Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2013Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2013Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2013Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2013Detroit Film Critics Society-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2010Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 2008Independent Spirit Awards-Best Supporting Male: winner
  • 2007African American Film Critics-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 2007Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy: nominated
  • 2007Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 2007Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2006Black Reel Awards-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2005London Film Critics Association-Best British Actor: nominated
  • 2004Critics' Choice Awards-Best Acting Ensemble: nominated
  • 2003Chicago Film Critics Association-Most Promising Performer: nominated
  • 2003European Film Awards-European Actor: nominated

Relationships