David Oyelowo

David Oyelowo also known as 'David O', is a classically trained stage actor who has quickly become one of Hollywood's most sought-after talents. He graduated from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), and received the "Scholarship for Excellence" from Nicholas Hytner in 1998.

David most notably starred as Martin Luther King Jr. in Paramount's dramaSelma (2014).Directed byAva DuVernayand produced byOprah WinfreyandBrad Pitt's Plan B, the film follows Dr. King's struggle to secure voting rights for black people culminating in the march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama and President Lyndon Johnson's signing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Oyelowo received Golden Globe and Film Independent Spirit Award nominations and won the NAACP Image Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Dr. King. The film also received an Oscar nomination for Best Picture.

More recently, David's leading roles have included: Jack Radcliff in Blumhouse'sDon't Let Go (2019)alongsideStorm Reid,Javert in BBC and PBS Masterpiece's six-part adaptation ofLes Misérables (2018)where he also served as executive producer, joiningRose ByrneandDomhnall Gleesonin Sony'sPeter Rabbit 2: The Runaway (2021),and oppositeAngelina Jolieas the father and mother duo to Alice and Peter, the two beloved characters from the well-known fairy tales Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan.

David has also been seen inChristopher Nolan's sci-fi adventureInterstellar (2014),J.C. Chandor's crime dramaA Most Violent Year (2014),Paramount's true-life crime thrillerCaptive (2015)withKate Mara,A United Kingdom (2016)withRosamund Pike,Disney'sQueen of Katwe (2016)oppositeLupita Nyong'ofor which he earned an NAACP Image Award nomination andSimon Brand'sDefault (2014),and STX and Amazon Studio'sGringo (2018)also starringJoel EdgertonandCharlize Theron.

Additional film credits includeThe Butler (2013),[linknm0000229]'s Academy Award nominated dramaLincoln (2012),withDaniel Day-Lewis,Sally FieldandTommy Lee Jones,the critically acclaimed independent dramaMiddle of Nowhere (2012),which earned David individual NAACP Image Award and Independent Spirit Award nominations,Jack Reacher (2012)oppositeTom Cruise,Lee Daniels'The Paperboy (2012)oppositeNicole Kidman,Matthew McConaugheyandZac Efron,the British made for television movieComplicit (2013),George Lucas' produced WWII dramaRed Tails (2012),which won "Best Motion Picture" at the 2013 NAACP Image Awards,Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)alongsideJames FrancoandFreida Pinto,the Academy Award nominated dramaThe Help (2011),96 Minutes (2011),which premiered at the 2011 SXSW Film Festival,Kevin MacDonald'sThe Last King of Scotland (2006)oppositeForest WhitakerandJames McAvoy,Who Do You Love (2008),in which he played the iconicMuddy Waters,A Sound of Thunder (2005)fro Warner Brothers,Derailed (2005)for Miramax, andShoot the Messenger (2006)for BBC2.

Oyelowo first impressed audiences on the stage when he starred in "The Suppliants" at the Gate Theatre playing King Palasgus, for which he received the Ian Charleson Award commendation. Following this he played the title role of "Henry VI", becoming the first black actor to play an English king for the RSC (Royal Shakespeare Company). The role won him the Ian Charleson Award and an Evening Standard Award nomination. Other theatre credits include an acclaimed performance in Richard Bean's "The God Botherers" at the Bush Theatre, the title role in Aeschylus' "Prometheus Bound', which was Off-Broadway for which David received rave reviews, and most recently, appeared in New York Theatre Workshop's Off-Broadway production of Othello withDaniel CraigandRachel Brosnahan.

Beyond theatre, David starred in the BAFTA Award winning seriesSpooks (2002)playing Danny Hunter also known as "MI:5" which aired in the United States on BBC America as well. Additionally, he won the Royal Television Society Award for Best Actor and was also nominated for a BAFTA Award for the same role for his work onSmall Island (2009).David also starred in the BBC1 original television movieBorn Equal (2006)oppositeColin Firthas well as ABC's production ofA Raisin in the Sun (2008),alongsideSanaa LathanandSean 'Diddy' Combs.Another small screen role which garnered him attention was HBO's film,Nightingale (2014),which earned him a Golden Globe nomination and two Emmy Award nominations, including one for his work as executive producer.

He will be making his directorial debut with the featureThe Water Man (2020),written byEmma Needelland produced by Shivhans Pictures. David's production company, Yoruba Saxon, will also produce alongside Harpo Films. Not only will David O direct and produce, but star in the film as well withRosario Dawson,Lonnie Chavis,Amiah Miller,Alfred Molina,andMaria Bello.

In 2015, in association with The Geanco Foundation, Oyelowo established the David Oyelowo Leadership Scholarship to fully fund the education and rehabilitation of girls who have been directly affected by terrorism in Nigeria. He has continued to raise support for the Leadership Scholarship over the last four years, which is now providing thirty-two girls with an education in Nigeria.

Oyelowo was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Queen Elizabeth II in the 2016 New Year Honours for his services to drama.