Chiwetel Umeadi Ejiofor, born on July 10, 1977, in Forest Gate, London, England, is a renowned British actor celebrated for his remarkable performances on both stage and screen.

Chiwetel Ejiofor

Early Life and Education

Chiwetelu Umeadi Ejiofor was born on July 10, 1977, in Forest Gate, London, England, to Nigerian parents Obiajulu and Arinze Ejiofor, both of Igbo origin. His father, who was a doctor and musician, tragically passed away in a car accident while visiting Nigeria when Chiwetel was just 11 years old. Then, when Chiwetel was 39, he lost his mother. The accident, which occurred while they were on their way to a wedding, also left Chiwetel with physical injuries, including a long scar on his forehead. He spent over two months in the hospital recovering from the incident.

Career

Since starting his acting career in 1995, Ejiofor has impressed audiences with his versatile talent. Whether on stage or screen, his performances have consistently received praise for their quality and impact.

Personal Life

Apart from his successful career, Ejiofor is a private individual who cherishes his personal life. He shares a strong bond with his sister, Zain Asher, who is also well-known in the media industry.

Movies

Ejiofor has played a variety of roles in his career, demonstrating his skill in bringing depth and complexity to characters. One of his standout performances was as Solomon Northup in "12 Years a Slave," which received praise from critics and earned him multiple award nominations.

In addition to acting, Ejiofor also showed his talent behind the scenes as the director and screenwriter of the well-received British drama film "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind" in 2019, showcasing his versatility as an artist.

Some of his movies include 

1. Rob Peace

2. The Pod Generation

3. The Man Who Fell to Earth 

4. Doctor Strange 

5. Infinite

6. Locked Down

7. The Old Guard

8. Maleficent:

9. The Lion King

10. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

11. Sherlock Gnomes

12. Mary Magdalene

13. Come Sunday

14. Red Nose Day Actually 

15. Doctor Strange

16. Triple 9

17. Secret in Their Eyes

18. The Martian

19. National Theatre Live:

20. Z for Zachariah

21. Making a Scene

22. Half of a Yellow Sun

23. 12 Years a Slave

24. Phil Spector 

25. Dancing on the Edge 

26. Savannah

27. The Shadow Line

28. Salt

29. 2012

30. Endgame

31. Redbelt

32. American Gangster

33. Talk to Me

34. Tsunami: The Aftermath 

35. Children of Men

36. Inside Man

37. Kinky Boots

38. Slow Burn

39. Serenity

40. Four Brothers

41. Animated Tales of the World 

42. Melinda and Melinda

43. Red Dust

44. She Hate Me

45. Love Actually

Awards and Nominations

Ejiofor's talent has been widely recognized, with numerous awards highlighting his remarkable career. He has won prestigious accolades like the British Academy Film Award and the Laurence Olivier Award. Additionally, his outstanding performances have earned him nominations for an Academy Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards, and five Golden Globe Awards, solidifying his reputation as one of the industry's top talents.

Net Worth

As of 2024, British actor Chiwetel Ejiofor's net worth is estimated to be $19 million.