Idris Elba Biography: Idrissa Akuna Elba born September 6, 1972 is an English actor, rapper, singer, and DJ. He has won a Golden Globe Award and received nominations for three BAFTA Awards and six Emmy Awards. In 2016, he was named to the Time 100 list of the Most Influential People in the World.
Idris Elba Biography
Idrissa Akuna Elba, an only child, was born and raised in London, England. His father, Winston, hails from Sierra Leone and worked at Ford Dagenham, while his mother, Eve, is from Ghana and held a clerical job. Idris attended school in Canning Town, where he first became interested in acting, though he later dropped out. He earned a spot in the National Youth Music Theatre with the help of a £1,500 grant from the Prince’s Trust. To make ends meet between acting roles, he worked various jobs, including tyre fitting, cold-call advertising sales, and night shifts at Ford Dagenham. At 19, he also worked as a DJ in nightclubs under the name “DJ Big Driis” but began auditioning for television roles in his early twenties. Elba’s early acting career included roles on the soap opera Family Affairs (1997), the TV serial Ultraviolet (1998), and the medical drama Dangerfield (1995).
Idris Elba Biography 2025 Details
| Born |
Idrissa Akuna Elba
6 September 1972 (age 52)
Hackney, London, England
|
| Other names |
|
| Citizenship |
- United Kingdom
- Sierra Leone
|
| Occupations |
|
| Years active |
1994–present |
| Works |
Filmography |
| Spouses |
-
-
-
Sabrina Dhowre Elba
(m. 2019)
|
| Children |
2 |
| Category |
Singers Bio |
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About Idris Elba
Idrissa Akuna Elba is an English actor, rapper, singer and DJ. He has received a Golden Globe Award as well as nominations for three BAFTA Awards and six Emmy Awards. He was named in the Time 100 list of the Most Influential People in the World in 2016.
Idris Elba Wiki
- Born: 6 September 1972 (age 52 years), London Borough of Hackney, London, United Kingdom
- Spouse: Sabrina Dhowre Elba (m. 2019), Sonya Nicole Hamlin (m. 2006–2006), Hanne Norgaard (m. 1999–2003)
- Upcoming movies: Masters of the Universe, Fast X: Part 2, Children of Blood and Bone, Fixed
- Children: Isan Elba
- Height: 1.89 m
- Nationality: British, English
Idris Elba Achievements
Elba’s films have collectively grossed over $9.8 billion globally, positioning him among the top 20 highest-grossing actors of all time. Elba trained in acting at the National Youth Music Theatre in London. He gained widespread recognition for his role as Stringer Bell in the HBO series The Wire (2002–2004) and as DCI John Luther in the BBC One series Luther (2010–2019). His portrayal of Luther earned him a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Miniseries or Television Film.
Early life and education
Idrissa Akuna Elba was born on September 6, 1972, in the London Borough of Hackney, to Winston Elba, a Sierra Leonean who worked at the Ford Dagenham plant, and Eve, a Ghanaian woman. His parents were married in Sierra Leone before relocating to London. Elba grew up in Hackney and East Ham, where he shortened his first name to “Idris” during his school years in Canning Town, where he first developed an interest in acting.
Elba credits The Stage with offering him his first major opportunity. After spotting an advertisement for a play, he auditioned and eventually met his first agent through the role. In 1986, he began assisting his uncle with his wedding DJ business and, within a year, started his own DJ company with a group of friends. Elba briefly attended Barking and Dagenham College but left in 1988, securing a place in the National Youth Music Theatre with a £1,500 grant from the Prince’s Trust.
Idris Elba Facts
Where does Idris Elba live? And how much money does Idris Elba earn?
| Birth Date |
6-9-1972 |
| Heritage/origin |
American- English- South-African- |
| Ethnicity |
Afro-American |
| Religion – believes in God? |
Roman Catholic |
| Residence |
He owns an apartment in New York City, New York, United States. |
Idris Elba Net Worth 2025
| Estimated Net Worth |
50 million Dollar |
| Yearly Salary |
N/A |
| Product Endorsements |
Parlophone Records |
| Colleagues |
Ben Lyons & Michael B. Jordan |
Houses
- Photo: house/residence of cool fun talented 12 million earning New York City, New York, United States-resident
Cars
Toyota Avalon
- Idris Elba Toyota Avalon car
- XE - manufactured by Jaguar ($80.000)
Idris Elba: Girlfriend, Dating, Family & Friends
| Relationship status |
Dating (Since 2013) |
| Sexuality |
Straight |
| Current Girlfriend of Idris Elba |
Naiyana Garth |
| Ex-girlfriends or ex-wives |
Kim Elba |
| More info |
Was previously married and divorced |
| Has any kids? |
Yes, father of: Isan |
Family
Names of father, mother, kids, brothers & sisters:
- Winston Elba (Father)
- Eve Elba (Mother)
- Isan Elba (Daughter)
- Winston Elba (Son)
Friends
Skin, Hair & Eye Color
This cool fun talented actor & musician originating from Hackney, London, England, United Kingdom has a thin body & round face type.
| Hair color |
Black |
| Hair type |
Straight |
| Hair Length |
near-shaved Hair |
| Hairstyle |
casual |
| Distinct feature |
skin color |
| Skin Tone/Complexion |
Type VI: Black brown skin |
| Skin Type |
Oily/Acne |
| Beard or Mustache |
Beard |
| Eye Color |
Dark Brown |
| Does Idris Elba smoke? |
Yes, on occasion |
Height, Weight, Body Measurements, Tattoos & Style
| Height |
190 cm |
| Weight |
75 kilo |
| Clothing style |
clean |
| Favorite colors |
black |
| Feet size |
10 |
| Biceps |
38 |
| Waist size |
86 |
| Buste size |
109 |
| Butt size |
99 |
| Does Idris Elba have a tattoo? |
YesElba has a tattoo covering the back of his right hand. |
FAQs
What is Idris Elba’s background and where was he born?
Idris Elba was born on September 6, 1972, in the London Borough of Hackney to a Sierra Leonean father and a Ghanaian mother. His parents moved to London from Sierra Leone before he was born.
How did Idris Elba get his start in acting?
Idris Elba’s acting career began when he saw an advertisement for a play in The Stage, which led him to audition and meet his first agent. He credits this experience as his big break.
What jobs did Idris Elba do before becoming a successful actor?
Before his acting career took off, Idris Elba worked in various odd jobs to support himself, including tyre-fitting, cold-calling, and night shifts at Ford Dagenham.
What was Idris Elba’s DJ name, and when did he start DJing?
Idris Elba worked as a DJ under the name “Big Driis.” He began helping his uncle with a wedding DJ business in 1986 and later started his own DJ company within a year.
Did Idris Elba attend college?
Idris Elba briefly attended Barking and Dagenham College but left in 1988 to pursue a career in acting after receiving a £1,500 grant from the Prince’s Trust to join the National Youth Music Theatre.
What is the significance of The Stage in Idris Elba’s career?
The Stage played a crucial role in Idris Elba’s career, as he saw an advertisement for a play in it, which led him to audition and eventually meet his first agent.
