John Boyega is an English actor best known for his role as Finn in the Star Wars sequel trilogy. He has also appeared in other films such as Attack the Block and Detroit.
Early Life and Career
John Boyega was born on March 17, 1992, in London, England. He grew up in a family of Nigerian descent and began acting in school plays at a young age.
Boyega began his acting career in 2011, appearing in the British sci-fi film Attack the Block. He then went on to appear in several British television shows such as Becoming Human and Law & Order: UK.
Star Wars and Beyond
Boyega’s breakthrough role came in 2015 when he was cast as Finn in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. He went on to reprise the role in The Last Jedi (2017) and The Rise of Skywalker (2019).
In addition to his work in the Star Wars franchise, Boyega has also appeared in other films such as Detroit (2017) and Pacific Rim: Uprising (2018). He has also lent his voice to animated projects such as Watership Down (2018).
Personal Life
Boyega is private about his personal life, but he has been open about his Nigerian heritage and his desire to promote diversity and representation in the entertainment industry.
Philanthropy
Boyega is an active philanthropist and supports several charitable causes. He founded the production company “UpperRoom Productions” in 2016 with the goal of producing diverse and inclusive content. He has also worked with the charitable organization “JHC” which aims to help young people in south London achieve their full potential.
Awards and Honors
Boyega has been nominated for and won several awards throughout his career. In 2016, he won the BAFTA Rising Star Award for his work in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. He was also nominated for a Teen Choice Award in 2017 for his role in The Last Jedi.
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John Boyega Fact File
| Full Name | John Adedayo B. Adegboyega |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | March 17, 1992 |
| Place of Birth | Peckham, London, England |
| Height | 5′ 9″ (175 cm) |
| Nationality | British |
| Education | South Thames College |
| Occupation | Actor, Producer |
| Years Active | 2011 – present |
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Attack the Block | Moses |
| 2013 | Junkhearts | Jamal |
| 2014 | Half of a Yellow Sun | Ugwu |
| 2015 | Star Wars: The Force Awakens | Finn |
| 2017 | Detroit | Melvin Dismukes |
| 2017 | Star Wars: The Last Jedi | Finn |
| 2018 | Pacific Rim: Uprising | Jake Pentecost |
| 2018 | Watership Down | Bigwig (voice) |
| 2019 | Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker | Finn |
| 2019 | The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind | William Kamkwamba |
| 2020 | Small Axe: Red, White and Blue | Leroy Logan |
| 2021 | Naked Singularity | Casi |
| 2021 | They Cloned Tyrone | Tyrone (rumored) |
Notable Awards and Nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Title | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | BAFTA Film Awards | Rising Star Award | Star Wars: The Force Awakens | Won |
| 2016 | Black Reel Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actor | Star Wars: The Force Awakens | Nominated |
| 2016 | Empire Awards | Best Male Newcomer | Star Wars: The Force Awakens | Won |
| 2018 | Black Reel Awards | Outstanding Actor, Motion Picture | Detroit | Nominated |
| 2018 | BET Awards | Best Actor | Detroit | Nominated |
| 2018 | Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture | Detroit | Nominated |
| 2019 | Image Awards | Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture | The Hate U Give | Nominated |
| 2021 | Golden Globe Awards | Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Supporting Role | Small Axe | Nominated |
John Boyega FAQs
Q: Where did John Boyega study acting?
A: John Boyega did not attend a formal acting school, but he did study performing arts at South Thames College in London.
Q: How did John Boyega get his breakthrough role in Star Wars?
A: John Boyega was discovered by J.J. Abrams, the director of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, after auditioning for a different project. Abrams was impressed with Boyega’s talent and personality and invited him to audition for the role of Finn.
Q: What was John Boyega’s experience like working on the Star Wars franchise?
A: John Boyega has spoken candidly about his experience working on the Star Wars franchise, including the challenges of being a person of color in a predominantly white industry. He has also spoken about his love for the character of Finn and his appreciation for the opportunity to work with talented actors and filmmakers.
Q: What inspired John Boyega to start his own production company?
A: John Boyega started his production company, UpperRoom Productions, with the goal of creating diverse and inclusive content that reflected the experiences of people from different backgrounds. He has spoken about the lack of representation in the entertainment industry and his desire to change that by producing his own projects.
Q: What advice does John Boyega have for aspiring actors?
A: John Boyega has advised aspiring actors to be persistent and patient, and to keep honing their craft through training and practice. He has also emphasized the importance of being true to oneself and not compromising one’s values for the sake of success.
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Images: Star Wars
