Idris Elba became a household name in the UK when he starred in the BBC ’s hardboiled detective drama Luther.
Since then, he has continued to explode in popularity around the world, starring in huge blockbusters including the Thor franchise, Fast & Furious and Star Trek.
Today (September 6), he is celebrating his 50th birthday and can look back on over 20 years of success as an actor.
Even though many would still like him to play James Bond in the impending reboot following Daniel Craig’s era, the star has many other projects to keep him busy.
Film is just one aspect of his career as he has tried his hands at a few other activities over the years.
Film
Idris’s career on screen started back in 1994 when he made a couple of small TV appearances in 2point4 Children and Space Precinct.
Through the remainder of the 90s, he secured roles in shows such as The Bill, Silent Witness, Insiders and Family Affairs.
Long before he had his breakout UK role with Luther in 2010, he starred in The Wire over in the US from 2002.
The show went on to be a sensation and is still considered one of the greatest series’ in TV history.
In 2009, he joined the cast of The Office as Charles Miner, hilariously contending with Steve Carrell’s Michael Scott before his exit.
Between the years of 2011 and 2013, he starred in three massive blockbusters, Thor, Prometheus and Pacific Rim, securing him as a leading man in Hollywood.
His latest film, Beast, is in cinemas now.
Music
Just when Idris’ stardom in Hollywood was skyrocketing in 2009, he started another venture, this time as a DJ.
His first single was released that year, Please Be True, with two more soon after, Kings Among Kings and High Class Problems Vol 1 in 2010.
The latter secured him a Billboard Music Awards nomination.
In 2013, he decided to step away from acting for a while, and instead focus on his music.
During an interview with the Evening Standard, he said at the time: “This year, I’m not going to work as an actor and I’m going to put my mind into music. It’s a progression thing with me.
“I want to make music but I don’t want to shove it down people’s throats. People are just barely getting to know me as an actor.
“But I do it from the heart, I’m not doing it for money — I just enjoy doing it.”
In 2014, he released his first album, Idris Elba Presents mi Mandela, spring boarding his musical career to the next level.
Since 2019, he has been running his own record label, 7Wallace Music and has since performed at Coachella Music Valley and Arts Festival.
Kickboxing
Idris wasn’t satisfied with two massively successful careers, as in 2016 he pursued a third.
This time, he entered the ring after setting himself the incredible challenge of becoming a professional kickboxer in just 12 months.
The entire year was covered in the Discovery documentary Idris Elba: Fighter.
In 2020, the actor was keen to give the sport another crack, but his mum and wife, Sabrina Dhowre Elba, banned him from stepping foot in the ring again.
He said at the time: “I really did think about developing an idea (for a film) around an ageing fighter, which means I will get back into the ring.
“But my wife was not good with the idea and neither was my mum. They are like, ‘Cut that nonsense out’.”
He isn’t completely removed from the sport though, as back in April 2022, he led the docu-series Idris Elba’s Fight School for the BBC.
In it he provided seven disadvantaged young people with lessons in discipline, focus and determination by putting them through an experimental boxing school.
