Idris Elba (1972- ) is a British actor best know for playing a cold-hearted drug dealer, Stringer Bell, on the HBO television show “The Wire” from 2002 to 2004.
On this blog at the end of 2009 he was voted the sixth most gorgeous man in the world. One commenter said he was “pure dark sexual chocolate”. Essence magazine named him one of the ten hottest men on the planet in 2004 and 2005. He made the cover of their bachelor issue in 2009. In 2007 People magazine named him one of the 100 most beautiful people in the world.
His American accent is so good that people are surprised when they find out he is British. But Hollywood has little interest in black characters with British accents – just ask Thandie Newton.
He was born in East London to African parents. His father was from Sierra Leone and his mother from Ghana. His uncle was a DJ who played music at Sierra Leonean weddings and christenings. While his uncle slipped off to chat up a bridesmaid he would leave Elba in charge. By 14 Elba was old enough to travel with uncle across England as a DJ. By 15 he was a DJ in his own right.
In his early twenties he started trying out for parts on British television. He played several supporting characters but did not become known in Britain till he got a steady part on “Family Affairs” in 1997. After a point, though, he saw there was little future for him in Britain: America had a much bigger black audience and therefore more and better characters for him to play (since blacks are mostly limited to playing “black” characters).
So he came to New York and worked as a DJ while he looked for work as an actor. It was hard. First there was his accent. Then his marriage broke apart and he was living in his brown Chevrolet Astro van for eight weeks. He got some small parts and in 2001 even played Achilles in Shakespeare’s “Troilus & Cressida” (the New York Times said he had the right “graceless egomania” for the part).
Then his fortunes turned: in 2002 he hit the big time as Stringer Bell in “The Wire”, playing one of the baddest gangsters in what some say is the best police show America has ever produced. While he loved playing the Machiavellian Stringer – the character was deep even if he was cold-blooded and narrowed by his drivenness – he was glad to see Stringer as a character come to a bad end.
Since the “The Wire” he has appeared in several films, like “Daddy’s Little Girls” (2007) with Gabrielle Union, “American Gangster” (2007), “RocknRolla” (2008) and “Obsessed” (2009) with Beyonce. In 2009 he appeared in six episodes of “The Office”, a British television comedy made American by NBC – which required him to speak with an American accent!
He has a daughter, Isan, born in 2002 to his now ex-wife. He has a house in Atlanta to be near his daughter.
– Abagond, 2010.
Update (2019): Idris Elba married beauty queen Sabrina Dhowre. She was Miss Vancouver 2014:
See also:
Now this is more like it!
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One commenter said he was “pure dark sexual chocolate”.
I dunno. Looks more milk-chocolatey to me. With nuts.
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This man has “it.” Now ask me what “it” is, I do not know. But he has it. 🙂
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To be completely honest, I know nothing about this guy.
Would be completely shallow to say he’s hot?
Oh, who cares. He’s hot.
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he has a great american accent. dominic west was on the wire too, there were times when his english accent slipped through. as an american i always hear slight pronunciations that sounded interesting to me, i didn’t realize he was british though until i heard him speaking in an interview, then it dawned on me that was why his random pronunciation sounded interesting to me.
i noticed like for names like miranda and amanda they come off sounding almost like “mirader” or “amander,” when he would say them… Idris accent is awesome though, i didn’t know at all until someone told me he was from the UK
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This man will make you have unholy thoughts. Yum yum!!!
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@Mira:
I am not familiar with Idris Elba either, but from what I have seen of him in the ten most gorgeous men in the world post, he’s a very attractive man. There’s just something about his smile I really like…the warmth…the friendliness. 😀
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This man is FINE.
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He is fine. His british accent is so sexy to me.
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Yummy. Cutey Pie. He kind of took the money and ran with Obsession though. Not his best work.
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Yeah!
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Watching those brief episodes of him on “The Office” always make me happy. His extreme seriousness was a great contrast to the overwhelming childishness that is Michael (Steve Carrell).
Male objectification for the win.
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Love Idris even though i am from the UK I didn’t know of him until he was on the wire and then I heard him speak with his reall accent I was like “Wow he’s one of us” it was on some MTV Base interview and he was talking about growing up in East London. I always thought he was fully ghanain too.
He is just fine, fine and foine
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As a straight guy I’m not ashamed to say Idris Elba is one good-looking dude. But more than looks, its gravitas. Few actors could give Stringer Bell the depth that makes him such a great character on the Wire.
On this link you can see him sing, and speak in his original accent.
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abagond, you wrote:
“Hollywood has little interest in black characters with British accents – just ask Thandie Newton.”
Nonsense. Hollywood is interested in any actor capable of attracting an audience.
The US audience for blacks with British accents may be small. But Hollywood has no control over the size of the audience. Hollywood can only react to its whimsical nature.
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Um, why am I just now finding out he has a house in Atlanta?
That’s motivation for me to get out more now! Lord, what would I do if I bumped into him?
It’s already torture having Boris Kodjoe living here in Atl (I saw him & his fam @ Cheesecake Factory, I just tried to ogle respectively from afar).
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And was I the only one who didn’t like Daddy’s Little Girls? Maybe it’s because Gabrielle Union has the personality of wet cardboard on screen?
Idris def held it down in that role though…
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Looks wise, he is one of the most over rated looking men in Hollywood. He looks like a generic black dude.This guy is average looking. He has those deep, cold, black eyes that give me the creeps. Also, his skin is way too dark and he has bad facial hair. This guy isn’t even good looking for a black guy. Talent wise he is insignificant. He is a bad actor who hasn’t been in one good movie.
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Janice, your comment about Idis’ skin being too dark is shocking. There is nothing wrong with his skin colour. I’ve seen even darker men who were just as good looking and more so.
It’s slave-master attitudes like this that prevents Black people from progressing mentally.
There is nothing wrong with dark skin or skin darker than that
There is something wrong with people who have been so brainwashed to see something so beautiful as unattractive.
And no it’s not a “preference.” You were taught from a very young age to believe that dark skin was not attractive.
The choice was made for you
very very sad
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@Janice:
You doth protest to much! Nice try at sh#t stirring though.
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It’s just another troll.
I especially “loved” the thing about “deep cold black eyes”. A nice touch. 😀
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Look into my eyes, you’re getting sleepier and sleepier.
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Lol
Well, what I didn’t get from Janice’s statement, was how “deep and black” eyes can be “cold”.
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@Janice
I wish all women thought like you. That way I can have all the sexy dark chocolate men like Idris all to myself:)
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Gotta say I love the humor in Herneith’s comments.
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Janice,
Since any intelligent person with good eyesight can see that black people do not all look the same. Describe what good looking for a black guy means. Also what is the definition of a generic looking black guy?
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Eurasian Sensation,
I admire your ability and openess to admiting another guy is attractive. You are a very secure man!:)
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@ islandgirl: thanks! Women can talk about other women’s beauty, so I don’t see why a guy shouldn’t be able to do it without being seen as queer.
@ Janice: opinions are like assholes, everyone’s got one. Yours just happens to stink real bad.
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I just don’t think he’s good looking. Good looking black guys are Boris Kodjoe, Dwight Howard, Morris Chestnut. I don’t get Idris. His nostrils are way too big. He scares me. Most black people look the same to me.
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^^^
Well, I am also secure enough in myself to admit that Idris is a very handsome man. He also has a very natural, un- self conscious air to him. He’s the type of guy that us other guys can give it up to. Or at least those of us who aren’t haters.
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lol, thank you myname!
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I don’t find him to be that good looking, to me he’s more
charismatic that gorgeous but I agree with Myname, he has
very natural, un- self conscious air to him.
@Janice said:
Also, his skin is way too dark and he has bad facial hair.
That reminds me a interview have read of him, where he was saying that back in time some black women (in UK) used to find him too dark!
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Exactly, Nubiah. Someone’s face isn’t the only thing can make some look good or have appeal. Although, from a hetro male viewpoint, I can admit that Idris is a pretty handsome man.
I also remember that interview (it was in Essence) when he said that some black women found him to be too dark.
It goes to show you that some black women are just blinded by the anti-black, Eurocentric standard of beauty as their male counterparts are. It’s just less explored.
And I don’t know why y’all pay “Janice” any attention. They’re trying to get a rise out of you guys.
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I’m just curious as to whether Janice thinks Morris Chestnut, Dwight Howard and Boris Kodjoe are actually good-looking, or are they merely “good-looking for black guys”.
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Well Janice is one less person I don’t have to fight to get Idris lmao
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Nubiah,
I was afraid to say that I don’t find him that attractive. But he does have a cool and confident aura about him.
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I also remember that interview (it was in Essence) when he said that some black women found him to be too dark.
I bet some of those same women wish they had a chance with him now. Now that he’s rich and famous that is. Their loss.
It goes to show you that some black women are just blinded by the anti-black, Eurocentric standard of beauty as their male counterparts are. It’s just less explored.
I think another post on colorism is needed.
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Yeah I dont find him attractive either, but he does have a very sexy voice-even minus the accent. Plus, as several people mentioned already, he has an aura that makes alluring in ways.
It’s just a matter of opinion though, and everyone is entitled to one, just depends on how you present it; i.e. if you present yourself the way “janice” does no one is going to listen to you, and they’re just going to think you’re a bitter, angry, prejudiced a-hole.
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A post on colourism is coming very soon. I thought I would get it done for this week, but now it is looking like it will be out maybe Thursday or so.
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I don’t think he’s cute at all.
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this is one man I would have to keep to myself, Him, Blair underwood and Morris Chestnut Hot chocolate flavour with good old nuts in them.
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I wonder what racist trolls get out of posting on sites like this. Anyone have any ideas?
If I get the chance and can find a willing white partner, I would love to track down some of these wingnuts and interview them. It would make a great academic paper.
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These wing nuts probably get a thrill out of posting such nonsense. They would never say or expound on these theories/viewpoints to a black person’s face. I am beginning to think they want others to convince them that their views are wrong as they don’t really believe in them themselves. ‘Janice’ is a prime example of this. ‘He’ or ‘she’ is in reality attracted to black men but is afraid to admit to it. Sort of like a love/hate relationship. They are probably some anti-social scumbags, sitting in Mom’s basement with a jar of Vaseline, Steve Sailor articles, and a massive collection of porn. But hey, everyone has to have a hobby, LOL.
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@Herneith
ewwww LOL you nasty! hahaha
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Idris is a fine brother, I am of African Caribbean descent so I know a fine brother or African origin when I see one. I also know the qualities that make him fine to my eyes. Now the comment about him being way too dark is just plain stupid’ Idris Elba is born in London to parents from Ghana and Sierra Leone, what do you expect him to look like a Nordic person?
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I take it you ladies like British “chocolate” eh!?
I’m in luck! LOL! 😉
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I’ve also noticed that american women love the British accent!
Well mor like the generic “London” accent!
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Americans like the English cut glass accent, not any ol accent, south London and cockney not included!
Think Hermione of Harry Potter fame or Emma Thompson, I won’t do the cliched Hugh Grant example.
Idris Elba is quite attractive, I saw him on Jonathan Ross last week. Funny though, when I found out he’s a Hackney boy he lost his appeal lol.
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@MerriMay
What’s wrong with Hackney? LOL
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@ Aiyo
LOL depends how much time you can spare, never warmed to Leona Lewis either 😦
Seriously nothing against Hackney, don’t know…Brixton would give him more cred, haha. I’ve visited both, kinda felt like I should duck a lot in Hackney, spent an afternoon in Brixton once….marginally better!
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I love that he’s Ghanaian though, actually restores some appeal, my hairdresser is a gorgeous lady from Accra, these folks are the warmest people on earth!
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Looking through old “most gorgeous man” posts…
Janice,
“This guy is average looking. He has those deep, cold, black eyes that give me the creeps. Also, his skin is way too dark and he has bad facial hair. This guy isn’t even good looking for a black guy…Good looking black guys are Boris Kodjoe, Dwight Howard, Morris Chestnut.”
Huh? How can you say Idris is too dark then say Morris Chestnut is good-looking? They appear to be about the same skin tone to me. And Dwight Howard is nowhere near Morris Chestnut (or Idris Elba) level, sorry.
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I am not sure who the author of this blog is, but I’d like to correct one point you made, which truthfully could be considered insulting; which is, Sierra Leonese?
What the heck is that?
I almost want to laugh out loud, but in your position, as a blogger and probably someone who considers themselves a journalist of some sort, you cannot afford to send out such misleading information. You want me to believe you couldn’t find out the right answer? With Google and all the other search engines and a million other ways you could have found out? Didn’t anyone know to correct you that someone from Sierra Leone is a Sierra Leonean?
My word…….and yet you want to uphold and praise a citizen of theirs, but because he’s been labelled as English man, his African heritage really doesn’t count for much, does it! ☺
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LMAO @ Janice. . . until i read this i had never heard of Dwight Howard, now having said that, as a Black woman, homeboy just doesn’t cut it! DAMN girl! If nothing at all he’s cross eyed! Hahaha, wow!
And like the gentleman, Eurasian Sensation, a said
opinions are like assholes, everyone’s got one. Yours just happens to stink real bad.
Good looks are not just about your facial hair and fake looking glossy skin etc! This brother’s confident and natural enough to preserve some of his original look!
Boris Kodjoe, a young Ghanaian, who is only just tracing back his roots. . . LOL, give him a few years, he’ll be as rooted as my African brother being discussed!
Idris Alba, he fine, simply cause he keeps shit real! That’s the beauty of watching him, is you almost feel him offa that screen! He’s destined for GREATNESS! Fine or Not! LOL
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Sorry, my mistake. My dictionary says “Sierra Leonean”, so I will go with that.
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Character roles (Ken brannagh says) or “historical” roles (critics says)? Marvel comics or Norse mythology? Elba for Norse god Heimdall was not absurd in my assessment. But many (google the reactions) seem to disagree… Arguing beyond race to say that it’s now about characterization of the role.
To play a mythical comic book character that commanded presence. Some critics say it’s like casting a one-legged actor to play Tarzan or to cast say Denzel Washington to play Winston churchill or Mao-tse-tung in a full length period movie. My take… mythology is not history, and thus could embrace diversity in interpretation. Characterization of a role should serve the purpose of the story-telling and not fixate itself if the character had to have blue eyes, blonde hair and a red beard… Oh and by the way, a lighter skin tone than Idris.
I feel that critics of the movie Thor with Heimdall being played by Idris, is plainly profiling at it’s best when they say there could never be a black Norse god. Nor a colored god in Olympus in the recent clash of the titans…
In the world of myths, the imagination is king.
@Idris E… Live long and prosper… Hope you find quality time to visit your Ghana and Sierra Leon.
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actor joie lee and actor idris elba
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I don’t know how I missed this post! Idris is mmm good! He is a sexy Brotha with a bomb accent! Janice sounds like one sad colorstruck individual. Beauty comes in all shapes, sizes and skin tones. Too bad she’s been infected by racist Western Eurocentric beauty standards to appreciate this fact.
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I truly love this guy!
He is so fine and such a fantastic actor…so intelligent and all balled up into one fine black man!
Sandy
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SWOON!!!!
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Update: Idris Elba married beauty queen Sabrina Dhowre. She was Miss Vancouver 2014. I added a picture of her to the post.
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I saw the wedding photos posted on social media from British Vogue. She was a lovely bride and he was a handsome groom. Congratulations to those two. Sure lots of women are crying in their beer today.
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Another old guy with a young babe. I’m having a hard time figuring out how many times 47 goes into 30.
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The internet memes on black twitter. Are pure comedy. Some women distraught over a dude that doesn’t know they exist. 😂😂😂😂😂
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