Following his transition to films, Oyelowo landed minor roles in Maisie Raine (1998) and starred in Spooks(2002-2004) which gained him some recognition. When Golden Globe-nominated actor David Oyelowo was growing up, he says his Nigerian father was convinced his acting dreams were just a phase. When David turn six years old his family moved to Lagos, Nigeria . [5], A devout Christian,[8] Oyelowo has stated that he believes God called him to play Rev. When Golden Globe-nominated actor David Oyelowo was growing up, he says his Nigerian father was convinced his acting dreams were just a phase. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. 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. "[My father] had come to the U.K. when racism was incredibly overt in the '60s," Oyelowo says. But yes, Jess and I were virgins when we got married. . He spent part of his childhood in Lagos, Nigeria. Film Industry, 2017. The renowned international movie star was born in the late '70s to Nigerian parents in Oxford, England. 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. This was first broadcast on BBC 7 on 8 April 2007, with his wife Jessica Oyelowo as Mrs. Equiano. 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 stayed in character for the three weeks we shot Nightingale and for the three months we shot Selma. 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. As his wife, Jessica Oyelowo, explained, Hes refused so many roles that painted Black people in any kind of negative light. [7] He was brought up as a Baptist. Oprah & David Oyelowo On What George Floyd's Death Means - SheKnows The actor, who was born in England to Nigerian parents, has lived here for 13 years . Such is the case of talented actor David Oyelowo. The story contemplates on a pair of young Nigerian immigrants who face a lifetime of struggle while their relationship endures. In the video that was shared to celebrate David's birthday this year, Asher could be seen sporting a huge smile as he and his other siblings sang and wished their dad a happy birthday. On being bullied because he refused to take on a "minority mentality" in school in North London. So that was the moment I thought, "OK, I'm all the way in, here." According to David, the role was given to him by God. "And to be perfectly frank we're having the last laugh.". Manage Settings Reeves' name might not be that familiar, but you know all about the iconic character he . Oyelowo enrolled for a year in an acting foundation course, at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA). Photo: Karen Ballard courtesy of The Water Man. I fought with a tiger, so they don't want to touch my son." Youre the person who understands it to the fullest, You should direct it, she said. [4][5] His father, Stephen,[6] is from Oyo State, Western Nigeria, and his mother is Igbo, also from Southern Nigeria. Should we go for the gray curtains or the brown?" David Oyelowo - Biography - Fact Celeb 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. In the end, David and Jessica Oyelowo got the last laugh. But I think there's room for both styles. So I believed for years that my dad had wrestled a tiger, which is why he had these marks on his cheeks. This is how bad it got: I remember, my wife, we were moving house[s] at the time and my wife called me and said, "So what do you think? [33], He is married to actress Jessica Oyelowo,[7] whom he met at LAMDA and with whom he has four children. The UK-born Nigerian talent has tried his . Who is David Oyelowo's Wife, Jessica? Children, Family - Celebtap But because he chooses to look forward., But now, it was no longer enough to be part of projects that accurately represented Oyelowos reality. Jessica Oyelowo has all-together four children with her husband, David Oyelowo. As for their two-week rule, Oyelowo noted that, because it works so well, he and Jessica have actually inspired other actors to follow suit. "I love my wife even more than I did 24 years ago," he declared. 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. Basically, it was a non-traditional casting where he acted as an English King. Butler, Hamptons International Film Festival, 2013, Best Actor, Selma, Angelina Jolie's 'Come Away': What's the Peter Pan-inspired film about? International Film Festival, 2012, Spotlight Award, Hollywood Film [23] The film premiered at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival to critical raves. It was constantly in the press. [22], In 2012, Oyelowo appeared in Middle of Nowhere. But what we can do is contextualize the past., You cannot perpetually stay in that place of blame. The Water Man: Directed by David Oyelowo. His family, who returned to Nigeria when he was six, moved back to London eight . She was also the one who encouraged him to take the directors chair. Perhaps we could all learn from their profound example. David Oyelowo - IMDb I was like, Look, David, youve always been the person I trust most with this project. Motion Picture Made for Television, Satellite Award, 2007, Best Actor, Royal Television Oyelowo grew up idolizing Sidney Poitier and Denzel Washington. You wind up with the PG-rated stew that is "Come Away," the new live-action film from director Brenda Chapman ("Brave," "The Prince of Egypt") that stars Angelina Jolie and David Oyelowo (also. 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). The Water Man is just the latest film from Yoruba/Saxon, the production company Oyelowo started with his wife, Jessica. When I was cast I had no idea that I was the first black person to be afforded that opportunity at the R.S.C. He is best known for his next stage performance as King Henry in the Royal Shakespeare Companys 2001 productions. After more than 21 years of marriage, the couple is still very much in love and is in a blissful marriage without rumors of extra-marital affairs or divorce. Actor David Oyelowo, director and star of the new film "The Water Man," reflected on the movie's themes of eternity and grief through the lens of his family's strong Christian faith in an interview with The Christian Post. He would shout from across the set: 'You going to take her off and pop her cherry, are you?' The four kids, now ages 9 to 19, served as unofficial advisers to their father, and Jessica positioned herself behind the monitors to ensure that Oyelowo still delivered a strong performance as a gruff military parent trying to understand his dreamy son while caring for his ailing wife (Rosario Dawson). The "Selma" star says he had to "sneakily" apply to drama school knowing his parent's wouldn't approve. Awards, 2013, Image Award, Outstanding Actor David Oyelowo and Rosemund Pike got a surprise visit from Ian Khama, the president of Botswana, while they were playing his parents in A United Kingdom By Ale Russian Published on February 8, 2017 . As entrepreneurs, we should never limit our horizon. On being the first black person to play a king [Henry VI] in a Royal Shakespeare Company production. David Oyelowo's Family: Meet the Actor's Wife and Children In 2006, David appeared in the television film Born Equal alongside Nikki Amuka-Bird as a couple and in The No. 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? 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. These were all things that we wove into speeches that weren't words that he spoke but are evocative of the speeches he gave because there is a music to the way he gave a speech. Facebook: thebiographyscoop For further education David Oyelowo attended City and Islington College, studying theatre studies. How David Oyelowo Earned His Father's Approval In One Touching Moment. 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." 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. He had played in the stage production of Volpone, Antony and Cleopatra (1999), This England: The Histories(2001), Prometheus Bound(2005), andOthello(2016), among others. Now theres The Water Man, an adventure tale written by Emma Needell about a preteen boy who, in an effort to save his dying mother, tries to find a mythical creature with healing powers that is purported to be living in the Oregon forest. Christina Voros is directing five episodes of the season. He would pause at an idea at the beginning, refer to it in the middle and bring it home at the end. Nicholas Hytner, 1998, Best Performance by an Actor Voice From The Stable Of Africas Emerging Business- Kamex Group. He is an actor in London, England. Movie/Miniseries, Critics Choice Television Award, 2014, Best Actor, Selma Black Reel Other cameos have included Mayo (guest-starring on 30 April 2006) and the television film Sweet Nothing in My Ear (2008, as defence attorney Leonard Grisham), while he has played recurring or main characters on Five Days (2007) and The Passion (2008, as Joseph of Arimathea). They then parlayed their efforts into films that would appeal to kids, from the microbudget Blumhouse feature Dont Let Go that he stars in with Storm Reid (A Wrinkle in Time) to last years Come Away, a fairy-tale mash-up of Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan, in which he starred opposite Angelina Jolie. 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. 'Relive' Review - The Hollywood Reporter Soon after the end of his time on Spooks Oyelowo also appeared in the two Christmas specials of As Time Goes By (2005). To keep track of our activities, follow us on social media. David Oyelowo began with the television series Maise Raine and Brothers and Sisters (1998). [31] Oyelowo is also being considered to star in the film, which will center on "a retired Tuskegee airman who takes up the Rocketeer mantle". You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. "The notion of being an artist, being an actor, for a Nigerian family is bizarre," Oyelowo says in the above "Oprah Prime" interview. Critics Association, (GAFCA), 2015, Best Actor in a Tv Movie or David Oyelowo established his production company: Yoruba Saxon Production in 2014. But yes, I just felt, for me, personally, I just felt you can't half-do Dr. King. See Also: Olu Jacobs Biography, net worth and movies of a prominent Nollywood actor. [20], As of 2014[update], he provides the voice of Imperial Security Bureau agent Alexsandr Kallus on the animated series Star Wars Rebels. The star was born to Nigerian parents. Attended the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), his course being paid for by the director Nicholas Hytner. While a guest on "Fresh Air", David told interviewer Terry Gross that his father was a member of a royal family in . "Ah, my son the scholar," Oyelowo says, imitating his father. 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. I just won't do that. David Oyelowo is Playing the Long Game - Esquire Oyo State is a State in the South Western part of Nigeria. After getting married in 1998, the two lovebirds made a vow to never go longer than two weeks without seeing each other, he revealed to The Guardian. He graduated from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), and received the "Scholarship for Excellence" from Nicholas Hytner in 1998. 'The Water Man': David Oyelowo, wife Jessica talk love of Jesus 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. David Oyelowo. Consequently, the on-screen and stage actor was named by BBC as Hollywoods diversity champion. He received his first Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Drama, while also receiving a nomination for Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Actor.[32]. Eventually, his performance was critically acclaimed, and he was awarded by Ian Charleson for the best performance by an actor under 30 in 2001. Jessica Oyelowo - Wikipedia My dad has tribal marks on his cheeks, he has four gashes in each cheek, which is very much part of the Yoruba tribe. David Oyelowo - Biography And Story Of Hollywood Diversity Champion . As someone who has studied his cadence, I know that it's only if I hit some of his idiosyncrasies in terms of the way he spoke that you will overall feel like you are watching Dr. King. Since then, he has continued to act on stage and screen. "That was the moment beyond which he became my number one fan," Oyelowo says. "We've seen other people emulate that, which is the greatest compliment they can pay us," Oyelowo added. In fact, four of his last five films ( A United Kingdom, Queen of Katwe, Five Nights in Maine, and Selma) have been directed by. He's agoraphobic, doesn't like leaving the house. Over the past six years the couple has created small-budget films like A United Kingdom, in which Oyelowo played Seretse Khama, the heir to the Botswana throne who caused an international scandal when he fell in love and married a white Englishwoman in the 1940s, and Nightingale, the HBO movie that landed Oyelowo, who was the sole actor in the project, both a Golden Globe and an Emmy nomination. He was born David Oyetokunbo Oyelowo to his Nigerian father Stephen Oyelowo while the identity of his late Nigerian mother is not known. hide caption. He has a portfolio of investment, properties, endorsement deals, e.t.c. Oyelowo stands at a height of 5feet 9inches. David Oyelowo's 'The Water Man' Movie Review, Starring Rosario Dawson He is a celebrated actor who was born on April 1, 1976, in Oxford, England, the son of Nigerian parents. That I won't do because it's disrespectful and, for me, I'm either part of the solution or I'm part of the problem.". And not because Black people dont do bad things or havent had bad things done to them. David has an estimated net worth of around $5 million. Learn how your comment data is processed. It was a very bizarre cultural thing to adapt to, going back. [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. Oyelowo is open to playing many different types of characters, but he says there are a few roles he will not consider: "Don't send me your script if you want me to play the black best friend. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Actor: Selma. I hope that parents appreciate that kid's emotional intelligence more and I hope that kids are a bit more patient . He began his career in 1998, and has gone on to become a star in Hollywood. "This is not a proper job. and, to be honest, I kind of tried to ignore it but it wouldn't go away. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories! But he also joked, "Now, don't get me wrong. ", After watching his son's performance, he met Oyelowo at the stage door. 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. 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. David Oyelowo is known for his apt portrayal of the legendary Martin Luther King in the movie "Selma," and just as he is dedicated to bringing his characters to life, he is also dedicated to being an awesome father. Jessica is an English-American actress. It was all intentional. If your notion of what it is to be black has been tarnished by what the culture in which you live in projects onto you, then you have a cankered sense of what that means. Originally, David is a native of Oyo State. "[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. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (2008) as a husband and wife. Stop! David Oyelowo plays an American Army veteran living with his mother in HBO's Nightingale. If you believe our content has any misinformation, violates your copyright, or you want to propose an update, please feel free to contact us. Just like Asher, little information is out there about Caleb. New TV Shows May 2023: The 5 Best You Can't Miss David Oyelowo is a British actor, writer, director, and producer. Needell knew it was Oyelowos job all along. David Oyelowo. For his directorial debut, Golden Globe-nominated actor David Oyelowo ( Selma, The Butler) counted on his wife, Jessica, to help steer him in the . David Oyelowo Bio, Age, Height, Family, Wife, Career, Movies He also achieved praise for his roles as Louis Gaines in The Butler (2013), Seretse Khama in A United Kingdom (2016) and Robert Katende in Queen of Katwe (2016).

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