Idrissa Akuna Elba, known professionally as Idris Elba, was born on September 6, 1972, in Newham, London. His father, Winston, worked at a Ford motor factory, while his mother, Eve, was employed as a clerk. Both parents were originally from West Africa—Sierra Leone and Ghana—and relocated to the United Kingdom shortly after marrying.
Elba first discovered acting during his school years in Canning Town. However, his artistic interests extended beyond acting. In 1986, he began DJing and later co-founded a DJ company with help from friends. By 1988, he left formal education to pursue a career in the entertainment industry, supporting himself with various odd jobs while continuing to DJ in nightclubs.
Idris Elba's breakthrough role came with the critically acclaimed HBO drama series The Wire, where he portrayed Russell “Stringer” Bell. This iconic character earned him widespread fame, especially in the United States. He further cemented his television legacy with a recurring role as Charles Miner in the American version of The Office and his award-winning performance as DCI John Luther in the BBC crime drama Luther. The latter became one of his most celebrated roles and a defining part of his career in British television.
Although Elba achieved early fame through television, he gradually transitioned to film, taking on more high-profile roles. He played Mumbles in Guy Ritchie's British crime comedy RocknRolla, acting alongside Gerard Butler and Tom Hardy. He gained global recognition for his portrayal of Heimdall, the Norse god and protector of the Bifrost, in Marvel’s Thor film series and in Avengers: Age of Ultron.
Elba also ventured into voice acting, taking on roles in animated blockbusters. He voiced Shere Khan in Disney’s 2016 adaptation of The Jungle Book and contributed to Pixar's Finding Dory. He was later cast as Roland Deschain in The Dark Tower, a film adaptation of Stephen King’s acclaimed book series.
Outside of acting, Idris Elba has made significant contributions to the music industry. Under the name DJ Big Driis (or Big Driis the Londoner), he performed at various high-profile events, including NBA All-Star parties. Notably, he was the opening act in Berlin during Madonna’s Rebel Heart Tour. Elba continues to be active in the music scene, balancing his dual career in entertainment and music.
| Birth Date: | 6 Sep, 1972 |
| Age: | 47 yrs |
| Citizenship: | United Kingdom Sierra Leone |
| Birth Place: | London Borough of Hackney |
| residence: | Los Angeles |
| Education: | National Youth Music Theatre |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | English actor, DJ and recording artist |
| Twitter Id: | Idriselba |
| Net Worth 2021: | 30 million |
