Hes mostly renowned for portraying Martin Luther King Jr in the biographical drama film Selma and Peter Snowdin in the HBO film Nightingale, both of which earned him critical acclaim. Just the most awful things. David didnt just understand the story, he understood it better than I did, this idea that hope is the strongest form of bravery, she said. But you know it's - but still, it carries some weight.". Meet the 21-year-old Forex Trader in Nigeria HabbyFX, How To Make Customers Remember You With A Professional Email Address, KreateSell Is Helping Africans Globally Monetize Their Knowledge Without Payment Restrictions, Scholarship for Excellence, from In 2006, David appeared in the television film Born Equal alongside Nikki Amuka-Bird as a couple and in The No. There is little or no information about the younger Oyelowos, but they are always seen in the rare family pictures and videos that David or Jessica share. The star was born to Nigerian parents. David Oyelowo also known as 'David O', is a classically trained stage actor who has quickly become one of Hollywood's most sought-after talents. "The notion of being an artist, being an actor, for a Nigerian family is bizarre," Oyelowo says in . Inspirational quotes by Nigerians that will inspire success in your life. enough., I will till the day I die be an advocate for the d-world: Like her husband, Jessica is also in the entertainment industry and has garnered an amount of fame for herself independent of her husband. More recently, he has made a name for himself by taking on American film roles. Butler, Hamptons International Film Festival, 2013, Best Actor, Selma, It was constantly in the press. [29] More recently, his Yoruba Saxon company signed a first look deal with Disney. There was one point at which I was rehearsing and I spent all of my lunch breaks fielding questions from the press and at some point we had to shut it down because the director didn't cast me to elicit that kind of reaction. For Needell, Oyelowos connection to the material and his promise to keep her involved throughout the process was something she had to say yes to. He played Martin Luther King Jr. in the film Selma, a civil rights activist in The Butler and a member of the Tuskeegee Airmen in Red Tails. In Spooks (a British Drama Series), David acted as MI5 officer Danny Hunter. The actor, who was born in England to Nigerian parents, has lived here for 13 years . AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. "I love my wife even more than I did 24 years ago," he declared. Our review . David Oyetokunbo Oyelowo Listen OBE (/ o j l o w o / oh-YEL-oh-woh; born 1 April 1976) is a British actor, director and producer.His accolades include a Critics' Choice Award and two NAACP Image Awards as well as nominations for two Golden Globe Awards, two Primetime Emmy Awards, a Screen Actors Guild Award and a BAFTA Award.In 2016, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the . I cannot talk curtains with Dr. King, we're going to pick this up afterwards. In 2020, he starred in the Netflix film The Midnight Sky alongside George Clooney. The fact that its about the only Black family in an otherwise white Oregon town informs the story but is not at its center. This virtuoso performance makes that seem impossible. To keep track of our activities, follow us on social media. Although the second son of David has also been seen in pictures and videos shared by his parents, one captivating thing about him is his smile, which resembles that of his father. On staying in character while shooting Nightingale and Selma. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. He is a celebrated actor who was born on April 1, 1976, in Oxford, England, the son of Nigerian parents. Asher, who recently graduated from college in the Spring of 2020, has been seen on rare occasions when David or his wife Jessica posts pictures or videos of the family. David Oyelowo plays an American Army veteran living with his mother in HBO's Nightingale. They both met at LAMDA, had a well relation and both planned to the tight the knot and be together. Wake up to the day's most important news. Oyelowo was shocked. See Also: Inspirational quotes by Nigerians that will inspire success in your life. I want to be able to stand by it., Excellence is the best weapon against prejudice. Reflecting on his portrayal of King in the film Selma, Oyelowo has asserted: "I always knew that in order to play Dr. King, I had to have God flow through me because when you see Dr. King giving those speeches, you see that he is moving in his anointing. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. . By Jeroslyn JoVonn / Jan. 2, 2021 2:58 pm EST. He is an actor in London, England. [25], In 2014, Oyelowo formed his own independent production company, Yoruba Saxon Productions which has co-produced movies that featured him including, Nightingale, Captive, Five Nights in Maine and most recently, A United Kingdom.[26]. The 'Friends' and 'Seinfeld' Actor Died at 67, 'General Hospital's' Maurice Benard 'Used to Embarrass' Wife of 31 Years Yet Adopted Her Sister, Whos the Boss? Tony Danza Had on & off Relationships with Moms of His Kids - Meet His Family, Vin Diesel Consciously Looked for Ms Right for Years Yet He Has Not Wed His 3 Kids Mom for 15 Years, Robin Williams Wanted His Children to Be Proud of Him Meet His 3 Kids Who He Cherished, Meet Jeff Bridges' Wife of 45 Years & 3 Daughters Who Stood by Him amid His Fight for Life against Cancer. Its such a So, of course, at some point I realized that that was a load of bologna so when he was then saying that we were from a royal family I was like, "Yeah, whatever." Oyelowo voiced the Tiger in a television adaptation of The Tiger Who Came to Tea which aired on Channel 4 for Christmas 2019. ", On how being from a royal family has affected him. Enjoy reading!! By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. . His father, Stephen, who is from Oyo State, Western Nigeria and his mother, whom he hasn't yet revealed her name, is from Edo State, Southern Nigeria. [17] He starred in the HBO original film Nightingale (2014). As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. I just won't do that. So I wanted a voice that didn't have any lyricism to it; I wanted it to be a little bit whiny, a little bit annoying. As entrepreneurs, we should never limit our horizon. "That was the moment beyond which he became my number one fan," Oyelowo says. . He is not the only child of his parents and his siblings. [20], As of 2014[update], he provides the voice of Imperial Security Bureau agent Alexsandr Kallus on the animated series Star Wars Rebels. "And he said, 'I cannot believe this -- that in this country they would allow a black man to be the King of England, and it is my son.'". Selma Awards, 2013, Image Award, Outstanding Actor An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. in A Motion Picture, 2013, Breakthrough Performance, The Website: Biographyscoop.com He was born David Oyetokunbo Oyelowo to his Nigerian father Stephen Oyelowo while the identity of his late Nigerian mother is not known. Born in England to Nigerian parents, Oyelowo's father had always told him that theirs was a royal . [33], He is married to actress Jessica Oyelowo,[7] whom he met at LAMDA and with whom he has four children. [30] The first film to come out of the deal will be The Return of the Rocketeer, a Disney+-exclusive sequel to the 1991 film The Rocketeer, which Oyelowo will produce alongside his wife, Jessica, and Brigham Taylor. See Also: Entrepreneurial journey of young entrepreneurs in Nigeria across different industries. It was also a notion that was being projected onto them by the society in which they live: criminality is somehow linked to being black; teenage pregnancy is linked to being black; things that are negative are linked to being black. And lastly in Films, the Martin Luther King role player appeared in the film Middle Of Nowhere. HOLSTON, played by David Oyelowo Image Credit: Apple TV+ screenshot Sheriff Holston is the senior lawman, with several deputies from a variety of Silo levels serving under him. Being an actor is an incredible career path for most people, and although it comes with its highs and lows, having a strong support system is something that helps. Are you going to be playing the best friend? Oyelowo recalled. He is of Yoruba origin. And that was it. I think it's vital to have something outside your acting to keep you rooted in the real world, and help you fill the vacuum. "I had a friend who mocked me so mercilessly. 1 Ladies Detective Agency as husband and wife. Holston is forced . hide caption. But to know you came from a lineage of kings; to know that you came from a place whereby every opportunity afforded within that society is yours for the taking it makes you get out of your bed a very different way than if you feel like today is yet another fight. [24] Oyelowo reunited with Daniels the following year in The Butler. The star was born to Nigerian parents. 100 Profitable business ideas you can start now and create wealth. under 30 in a Classical Play, Ian Charleson Award, 2001, Best Actor in a Miniseries or a Although the second son of David has also been seen in pictures and videos shared by his parents, one captivating thing about him is his smile, which resembles that of his father. The Water Man: Directed by David Oyelowo. Actor: Selma. I stayed in character for the three weeks we shot Nightingale and for the three months we shot Selma. David Oyetokunbo Oyelowo Listen OBE (/ojlowo/ oh-YEL-oh-woh;[1] born 1 April 1976[2]) is a British actor, director and producer. Over the years, he has given accolades to his father who recently passed away from Colon cancer, and to his two brothers who have been a pillar of support for him since his earlier days of acting. The fact of the matter is Peter Snowden [the main character in Nightingale] wasn't written as African-American, but when I read it I felt: Here is an opportunity to play the kind of African-American that I've certainly encountered in having lived here now for eight years, but I very rarely see in cinema. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. "The notion of being an artist, being an actor, for a Nigerian family is bizarre," Oyelowo says in the above "Oprah Prime" interview. That is essentially what he manages in this inspired performance of John le Carr's suspense novel. Can it really have been only one man in the narrator's recording booth? Youve David Oyelowo married his longtime girlfriend Jessica Oyelowo, also an actress on 5 September 1998. . When asked if he got made fun of for the bold decision, Oyelowo did not shy away from sharing the harsh jokes his friends would make. He was born David Oyetokunbo Oyelowo to his Nigerian father Stephen Oyelowo while the identity of his late Nigerian mother is not known. His lead, Lonnie Chavis of This Is Us, only had a brief window before he had to return to the TV production, and the team was scrambling. I am not just going to aim for these things that show a level of representation of my world, Oyelowo said. Reeves' name might not be that familiar, but you know all about the iconic character he . And up until not that long ago white actors were playing Othello in Shakespeare plays in the U.K. He graduated from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), and received the "Scholarship for Excellence" from Nicholas Hytner in 1998. On television, Oyelowo has played MI5 officer Danny Hunter in the British drama series Spooks (20022004) and Javert in the BBC miniseries Les Misrables (2018). "This is not a proper job. Small business grants for women owned businesses or organisations. ", When Oyelowo earned a scholarship to the distinguished London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, his father's reaction wasn't what he was hoping for. Later on, he enrolled for an acting foundation course at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA). out in the world knowing that one day my children will watch the work that Ive He shared stories of the . 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (2008) as a husband and wife. Instagram: biographyscoop. "Ah, my son the scholar," Oyelowo says, imitating his father. Also, his other awards include; If you feel like the beginning of your history is rooted in Entrepreneurial journey of young entrepreneurs in Nigeria across different industries. The two met in college and fell in love, as noted by The Guardian. David Oyelowo plays Martin Luther King Jr. in Ava DuVernay's Selma. He is married to Jessica Oyelowo (nee Watson) in 1998. ), The movie, which will debut in theaters on May 7, before a video-on-demand release, seemed to connect to Oyelowo on a metaphysical level. The company was behind the production of films such as Nightingale, Captive, Five Nights in Maine, A United Kingdom e.t.c In 2018, Yoruba Saxon Production sealed a deal with Madison Wells Media (MWM) Studios to develop film and television projects. Years had passed since he first optioned her script, financing had finally come through, casting was complete, then their director dropped out absconded, said Oyelowo. His most recent film, HBO's Nightingale, is a single-character drama in which Oyelowo portrays an American veteran who is having a mental breakdown. It really confused me because here I am, literally having come back from the so-called motherland, and I had other people who looked like me saying that I was trying to not be what it is to be black, but that's because they had taken on a false notion of what that should mean. [7] He was brought up as a Baptist. Oyelowo and his wife, Jessica Oyelowo, are executive producing the series under their Yoruba Saxon banner. Oyo State is a State in the South Western part of Nigeria. Rosario Dawson and Lonnie Chavis in a scene from The Water Man, which Oyelowo directed. On July 20 2016, David and his wife Jessica became naturalized US citizens. slavery, that really, I think, messes with your sense of self, self-esteem, and Cole Hauser's Wife Sacrificed an Egg to Help Twin Sister Have Her Niece Meet the 'Sweet Valley High' Stars, Jeff Bridges Stayed in Montana for Decades after Falling for Local Waitress Inside Their Home, David Soul Was Still a Kid When He Married for the 1st Time He Fathered 5 Sons & Daughter, Who Was Mike Hagerty? The Water Man is indicative of how I see parenthood. He recently signed a deal with ViacomCBS.[18]. ), Similarly, Oyelowo set the terms for the films treatment of race. You cant put either of them in a box, he said, adding that its Oyelowos global worldview and his faith that drive his professional choices. Oyelowo grew up the eldest of three boys in Tufnell Park, north London. The UK-born Nigerian talent has tried his . His father hails from Oyo, and his mother, Edo State. Oyelowo is best known for playing MI5 officer Danny Hunter on the British drama series Spooks (known in North America as MI-5) from 2002 to 2004. Learn how your comment data is processed. So that is something I carry with me that I know has been of huge benefit as a result of my family and where I'm from. He's a bit of a nerd. [6] He grew up on an estate[6] in Tooting Bec, South London, until he was six, when his family moved to Lagos,[5][8] Nigeria, where his father[6] worked for the national airline and his mother worked for a railway company. They once worked for the national airline and the railway company respectively. "[35], The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches, NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture, Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Actor, Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actor in a Movie/Miniseries, Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie, Golden Globe Award for Best Actor Miniseries or Television Film, NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special, Satellite Award for Best Actor Miniseries or Television Film, NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture, Black Reel Award for Best Supporting Actor, Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male, Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture, Critics Choice Television Award for Best Actor in a Movie/Miniseries, Black Reel Awards for Outstanding Actor, TV Movie or Limited Series, Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie, NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series, or Dramatic Special, African-American Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor, Palm Springs International Film Festival Breakthrough Performance Award, Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor, Critics Choice Movie Award for Best Actor, Golden Globe Award for Best Actor Motion Picture Drama, Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead, Satellite Award for Best Actor Motion Picture, Village Voice Film Poll Award for Best Actor, Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor, Evening Standard British Film Awards for Best Actor, NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor, "David Oyelowo finally reveals how you pronounce his name", "David Oyelowo and Daniel Craig Face Off in "Othello", "David Oyelowo: 'It got pretty dark. [14] He played the title role in Othello in 2016 at the New York Theatre Workshop with Daniel Craig as Iago, directed by Sam Gold.[15]. Voice From The Stable Of Africas Emerging Business- Kamex Group. Oyelowo had already spent the better part of two decades building a career that attracted the attention of prestigious directors like Anthony Minghella, Christopher Nolan and Ava DuVernay while playing roles that rose above the lazy stereotypes frequently drawn in Hollywood movies. The mother to the "Selma" actor's beautiful children is his wife of more than 21 years, Jessica. His performance in the title role of the RSC's production of "Henry VI Parts I, II and III" earned him the Ian Charleson Award for outstanding performance by a young actor in a classical theatre role (2001). David Oyelowo. He has been nominated for NAACP Image Award (2012, 2013, 2014), Black Reel Award (2012, 2013), Independent Spirit Award (2012), Screen Actors Guild Award (2013), Golden Globe Award (2014), Primetime Emmy Award (2014), Satellite Award (2014), among others. So that was the moment I thought, "OK, I'm all the way in, here." David Oyelowo has taken a larger role behind the scenes to get projects made that reflect the complexities of people of color: My job, I feel, is to normalize my existence, he said. Among the nominations, he has won 2013s NAACP Image Award, Black Reel Awards, etc. My dad has tribal marks on his cheeks, he has four gashes in each cheek, which is very much part of the Yoruba tribe. "Our marriage is strong because of some of the foundational choices we made early on." "[My father] had come to the U.K. when racism was incredibly overt in the '60s," Oyelowo says. First on stage, Oyelowo began his stage career in 1999 when he was offered a season with the Royal Shakespeare Company playing roles in Ben Johnsons Volpone, as the title character in Oroonoko and Shakespeares Antony and Cleopatra alongside Guy Henry, Frances de la Tour and Alan Bates. The film, based on the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches, had originally been set to be directed by Lee Daniels, but the project was dropped by Daniels so he could focus on The Butler. Entrepreneurs should stand for quality alone; never be comfortable with average and fall into mediocrity. You know, royal families are a dime a dozen in Nigeria. His accolades include a Critics' Choice Award and two NAACP Image Awards as well as nominations for two Golden Globe Awards, two Primetime Emmy Awards, a Screen Actors Guild Award and a BAFTA Award. David is known for his apt portrayal of the legendary Martin Luther King Jr. in the movie "Selma," and aside from being good at what he does, he is a great father to his amazing kids and a loving husband to his wife of 21 years, Jessica. The two classically trained actors wanted to ensure they dodged all of the "divorce and dysfunction" they witnessed in the acting world. He has commented of his background: "It sounds way more impressive than it actually is. He was born in Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, to Nigerian parents, of the Yoruba tribe. He had before that appeared in Tomorrow La Scala (2002), Maisie Raine (1998) and Brothers and Sisters (1998). Mike Reiss Bio, Age, Wife, Net Worth, Book, The Simpsons, Queer Duck, Brooke Smith Bio, Age, Husband, Children, Family, Net Worth, Height, Movies, Law & Order. How I see love, he said. He is best known for his next stage performance as King Henry in the Royal Shakespeare Companys 2001 productions. [16] In March 2010, he played the role of Keme Tobodo in the BBC's drama series Blood and Oil. His father hails from Oyo, and his mother, Edo State. This was first broadcast on BBC 7 on 8 April 2007, with his wife Jessica Oyelowo as Mrs. Equiano. Nicholas Hytner, 1998, Best Performance by an Actor Just like Asher, little information is out there about Caleb. David Oyelowo, who soon will star in the spinoff, 1883: The Bass Reeves Story, is a real-life member of Nigerian royalty who will play an American icon. Basically, it was a non-traditional casting where he acted as an English King. He would shout from across the set: 'You going to take her off and pop her cherry, are you?' But he also joked, "Now, don't get me wrong. Meet Danny Trejos Son Who Is a Promising Film Director, Lynda Carters Motherhood Is Her Greatest Adventure Yet Her Daughter & Son Followed Their Fathers Path. "We've seen other people emulate that, which is the greatest compliment they can pay us," Oyelowo added. In a major landmark for colour-blind casting, Oyelowo was the first black actor to play an English king in a major production of Shakespeare, and although this casting choice was initially criticised by some in the media, Oyelowo's performance was critically acclaimed and later won the 2001 Ian Charleson Award for best performance by an actor under 30 in a classical play. The Netflix executive Tendo Nagenda, who had worked with Oyelowo on Queen of Katwe and was an original champion of The Water Man when he was at Disney, compared Oyelowo to another actor-turned-director, Kenneth Branagh. And when you get over this acting thing you will still be a scholar.". Similarly, Spooks brought David to limelight and he gained recognition. Consequently, the on-screen and stage actor was named by BBC as Hollywoods diversity champion. For me, being a Christian has been invaluable: it simply means acting isn't the centre of my life. The "Selma" star says he had to "sneakily" apply to drama school knowing his parent's wouldn't approve. In 2016, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to drama. Actor: Selma. With him having a strong religious faith rooted in his Nigerian background, and Jessica being a born-again Christian, the young couple became engaged when the Selma actor was just 20 years old. Growing, David spent his childhood years . And I literally went, [in the voice of King] "Well, I think we should " and she went, "Stop! Atsushi Nishijima/Courtesy of Paramount Pictures England, to Nigerian parents, of the Yoruba tribe. And Ava and I broke down every single speech and we put in the rule of three, which he used a lot of the time. The two thespians eventually hit it off and began dating. Jerry Seinfeld Has 3 Kids Who Say He Is Not 'Nice Enough' It Took Him 'Years to Warm Up' to Them, Petticoat Junction's Lori Saunders Left Acting & Made an 'Art' of Her Married Life Now Her Son & Grandkid Save Lives, Inside Candice Patton's Relationships Super Private 'The Flash' Star Was Once Named in a Cheating Scandal. It's more like being the king of Sherman Oaks, really. - Family. David Oyelowo also known as 'David O', is a classically trained stage actor who has quickly become one of Hollywood's most sought-after talents. Oyelowo was born on 1 April 1976 in Oxford, Oxfordshire, England,[3] to Nigerian parents. CALEB OYELOWO. 'The Water Man' Review: David Oyelowo's Directorial Debut Speaks to Kids A family film in more ways than one, this youth-skewing thriller follows a courageous kid who faces his fears to .