Riz Ahmed Biography: Rizwan “Riz” Ahmed born December 1, 1982 is a British actor and rapper who has earned wide critical acclaim and numerous accolades, including an Academy Award and a Primetime Emmy Award. He has also been nominated for two Golden Globe Awards and two BAFTA Awards. In 2017, Time magazine included him on its list of the 100 most influential people in the world. Ahmed launched his acting career after training at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. He began with roles in independent films such as The Road to Guantanamo (2006), Shifty (2008), Four Lions (2010), Trishna (2011), and The Reluctant Fundamentalist (2012). His breakthrough came with Nightcrawler (2014), which led to appearances in major studio releases like Jason Bourne and Rogue One in 2016.
Riz Ahmed Biography
Riz Ahmed born December 1, 1982, also known by his stage name Riz MC and birth name Rizwan Ahmed, is a British Pakistani actor, rapper, and activist. Over the course of his acting career, he has received numerous accolades, including an Emmy Award (from two nominations), and has also been nominated for a Golden Globe, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and three British Independent Film Awards.
Riz Ahmed Biography 2025 Details
| Born |
Rizwan Ahmed
1 December 1982 (age 42)
London, England
|
| Alma mater |
- Christ Church, Oxford
- Central School of Drama
|
| Occupations |
|
| Years active |
2006–present |
| Spouse |
Fatima Farheen
(m. 2020)
|
| Category |
Singers Bio |
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About Riz Ahmed
Rizwan “Riz” Ahmed is a British actor and rapper. He has received several awards, including an Academy Award and a Primetime Emmy Award with nominations for two Golden Globe Awards and two British Academy Film Awards. In 2017, he was named by Time as one of the most influential people in the world.
Riz Ahmed Personal Life
Ahmed earned a degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from Oxford University before pursuing formal acting training at London’s Central School of Speech and Drama. Known for his commitment to character, Ahmed often stays in accent throughout filming—communicating in his character’s voice both on and off set until production concludes. In 2012, he was nominated for the prestigious Shooting Stars Award at the Berlin Film Festival, which honors Europe’s top emerging talent.
Riz Ahmed Wiki
- Born: 1 December 1982 (age 42 years), Wembley, United Kingdom
- Spouse: Fatima Farheen Mirza (m. 2020)
- Nominations: Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie ·
- Height: 1.72 m
- Awards: Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie · See more
- Upcoming movies: The Phoenician Scheme, Untitled Alejandro G. Iñárritu Film
Early Life and Education
Riz Ahmed was born in Wembley, in the London Borough of Brent, on December 1, 1982. His family is of Indian heritage, with roots in Karachi, Pakistan, where his parents lived before relocating to the UK in the 1970s. His father worked as a shipping broker, and his lineage includes Shah Muhammad Sulaiman, the first Indian Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court during British colonial rule.
Ahmed attended Merchant Taylors’ School in Northwood on a scholarship. He then studied Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) at Christ Church, Oxford University. Despite facing a cultural disconnect at Oxford, where he felt alienated by the institution’s elite, white-dominated environment, Ahmed stayed on and created inclusive events that celebrated diverse cultures. He later pursued formal acting training at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.
Riz Ahmed Facts
Where does Riz Ahmed live? And how much money does Riz Ahmed earn?
| Birth Date |
1-12-1982 |
| Heritage/origin |
English |
| Ethnicity |
Middle-Eastern |
| Religion – believes in God? |
Islam |
| Residence |
He lives in an unknown fashion in Great Britain. |
Riz Ahmed Net Worth 2025
| Estimated Net Worth |
between $15 million and $20 million |
| Yearly Salary |
N/A |
| Colleagues |
Ben Mendelsohn |
Riz Ahmed: Single, Dating, Family & Friends
| Relationship status |
Single |
| Sexuality |
Straight |
| Partner |
Currently in no confirmed relationship |
| Ex-girlfriends or ex-wives |
|
| Has any kids? |
No |
Height, Weight, Body Measurements, Tattoos, Skin, Hair & Eye Color
This intelligent actor & musician originating from Wembley, Great Britain has a slim body & oval face type.
| Hair color |
Black |
| Eye Color |
Brown |
| Height |
173 cm |
| Weight |
62 kilo |
| Feet size |
N/A |
| Does Riz Ahmed smoke? |
|
| Does Riz Ahmed have a tattoo? |
No |
FAQs
What awards has Riz Ahmed won in his acting career?
Riz Ahmed has won several prestigious awards in his acting career, including an Emmy Award for his role in The Night Of (2016). He has also received nominations for a Golden Globe, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and three British Independent Film Awards.
What did Riz Ahmed study at Oxford University?
Riz Ahmed graduated from Oxford University with a degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE), before pursuing acting training at London’s Central School of Speech and Drama.
Why does Riz Ahmed use different accents for roles?
Riz Ahmed is known for fully immersing himself in his characters. Whenever he has to adopt a different accent for a role, he maintains the accent on and off set until filming is completed, in order to stay in character.
What is the Shooting Stars Award, and was Riz Ahmed nominated for it?
The Shooting Stars Award is a prestigious recognition given to Europe’s leading young actors at the Berlin Film Festival. Riz Ahmed was nominated for this award in 2012, alongside notable actors like Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz.
What is Riz Ahmed’s stage name?
Riz Ahmed performs under the stage name “Riz MC,” in addition to using his birth name, Rizwan Ahmed, in his professional acting career.
What is Riz Ahmed known for outside of acting?
Outside of his acting career, Riz Ahmed is also a rapper and activist. He is a member of the hip-hop group Swet Shop Boys and has been vocal about various social and political causes, including refugee rights and minority representation.
