Idrissa Akuna Elba
- Born:
- September 6, 1972, London, England
- Nationality:
- British
- Profession(s):
- Actor, Producer, DJ, Rapper, Singer
Early Life and Education
- Born and raised in Hackney, London.
- Son of a Sierra Leonean father and a Ghanaian mother.
- Attended school in Canning Town, where he first became involved in acting.
- Joined the National Youth Music Theatre.
- Received a £1,500 Prince's Trust grant to begin his acting career.
Career and Major Achievements
- Began his acting career with roles on British television.
- Breakthrough role as Stringer Bell in the HBO series The Wire (2002-2004).
- Starred as DCI John Luther in the BBC One series Luther (2010-2019), winning a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film.
- Portrayed Heimdall in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films (2011-2022).
- Starred in numerous successful films, including American Gangster, Thor, Prometheus, Pacific Rim, Beasts of No Nation, and The Suicide Squad.
- Made his directorial debut with the film Yardie (2018).
- Continues to work as a DJ under the name DJ Big Driis.
- The query "idris elba biography movies about walt" indicates interest in either his general body of work, or speculation about future role potential.
Notable Works
Filmography (Selected)
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | American Gangster | Tango |
| 2011 | Thor | Heimdall |
| 2013 | Pacific Rim | Stacker Pentecost |
| 2015 | Beasts of No Nation | Commandant |
| 2021 | The Suicide Squad | Robert DuBois / Bloodsport |
| 2023 | Luther: The Fallen Sun | DCI John Luther |
Television (Selected)
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2002-2004 | The Wire | Russell "Stringer" Bell |
| 2010-2019 | Luther | DCI John Luther |
Discography (Selected)
- High Definition (Mixtape, 2009)
- Mi Mandela (Album, 2014)
Legacy and Impact
Idrissa Akuna Elba has become a significant figure in contemporary entertainment, recognized for his versatile acting abilities across film and television, as well as his contributions as a producer and DJ. He has successfully navigated both British and American markets, establishing himself as a globally recognized talent.