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