Quick Facts
Born:
1976-04-01
Birthplace:
Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, UK
Credits:
113 Total Roles
David Oyelowo
Acting
The MovieWise Take
"David Oyelowo possesses a rare, transformative gravity that elevates every frame, marking him as one of the most vital chameleons of his generation. Whether standing in the shadows of epics or anchoring intimate dramas, his legacy is already etched as a masterclass in quiet, unflinching intensity."
Biography
Oyelowo rose to prominence for portraying Martin Luther King Jr. in the biographical drama Selma (2014) and Peter Snowden in the HBO film Nightingale (2014), which garnered him critical acclaim. He also achieved praise for his roles as Louis Gaines in The Butler (2013), Seretse Khama in A United Kingdom (2016) and Robert Katende in Queen of Katwe (2016). He has also played supporting roles in the films Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011), The Help (2011), Lincoln (2012), Red Tails (2012), and Jack Reacher (2012).
On television, Oyelowo has played MI5 officer Danny Hunter in the British drama series Spooks (2002–2004) and Javert in the BBC miniseries Les Misérables (2018). He also provided the voice for Agent Alexsandr Kallus in the Lucasfilm Animation series Star Wars Rebels (2014–2018) and Holston Becker in the Apple+ drama series Silo. He stars in and co-produces the 2023 Paramount+ western series Lawmen: Bass Reeves.
Description above from the Wikipedia article David Oyelowo, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Known For
Interstellar
School Principal
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Steven Jacobs
The Help
Preacher Green
Jack Reacher
Det. Emerson
Lincoln
Corporal Ira Clark
The Cloverfield Paradox
Kiel
The Butler
Louis Gaines
Chaos Walking
Aaron
Full Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Newborn MOVIE | Chris Newborn |
| 2025 | The American Revolution TV | Olaudah Equiano / Sam (voice) |
| 2025 | Government Cheese TV | Hampton Chambers |
| 2025 | National Theatre Live: Coriolanus MOVIE | Coriolanus |
| 2024 | Big Cats, Small World TV | Narrator (voice) |
| 2024 | Becoming King MOVIE | Self |
| 2024 | The After MOVIE | Dayo |
| 2024 | After Midnight TV | Self |
| 2024 | The Book of Clarence MOVIE | John the Baptist |
| 2023 | Off Script with The Hollywood Reporter TV | Self |