David Oyelowo - Biography
Born: April 1, 1976
Actor
Famous for: Starring as surveillance pro Danny Hunter in MI5 drama Spooks
"I kind of fell into acting," says Oxford-born David, who spent seven years of his childhood in his parents' Nigerian homeland before returning to the UK. He initially intended to study law before an inspiring theatre studies teacher suggested he could be an actor. Although he trained at LAMDA, he left before completing his course as the work offers started to flow in. He enjoyed similar success in his love life, marrying fellow actress Jessica after meeting her at a youth theatre. In 2000, aged 24, he made theatrical history by becoming the first black actor to portray an English monarch in a Royal Shakespeare Company production of Henry VI. The role brought him an Ian Charleson Award for best newcomer. Two years later he got his TV break, joining the original cast of MI5 series Spooks. When his character was killed off two years later, he graduated to the big screen with A Sound Of Thunder, The Best Man and notably playing Dr Thomas Junji in the acclaimed movie The Last King Of Scotland. The hunky dad-of-one continues to work in TV - such as the acclaimed 2007 drama Five Days - film and theatre.