Naveen William Sidney Andrews was born on January 17, 1969, in London, England. His parents were immigrants from Kerala, India, and he was the elder of two brothers. From a young age, Andrews expressed an interest in acting. At just five years old, one of his teachers informed his parents of his enthusiasm for becoming an actor.

During his teenage years, he auditioned for a school play, which further fueled his passion for the performing arts. He was later accepted into the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, where he studied alongside future actors such as Ewan McGregor and David Thewlis.

Breakthrough Roles and Film Career

Andrews began his professional acting career with a role in Hanif Kureishi’s film London Kills Me (1991). He gained wider recognition for his performance as Kip Singh, a Sikh sapper, in the Academy Award-winning film The English Patient (1996). This role helped establish him as a talented and versatile actor in international cinema.

In 2002, he appeared as Sanjay in the remake of Rollerball. Although the movie was not a critical success, it contributed to his growing portfolio in the film industry.

Television Success: Lost and Sayid Jarrah

Andrews gained global acclaim for his role as Sayid Jarrah in the critically acclaimed television series Lost (2004–2010). His portrayal of a former Iraqi Republican Guard communications officer turned castaway was widely praised and became a fan favorite. The role earned him nominations for a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe, significantly elevating his profile in both television and film.

During the production of Lost, Andrews split his time between homes in Los Angeles and Hawaii, where the series was filmed. His work on the show remains one of the most iconic parts of his career.