Name: Chiwetel Ejiofor
Industry: Film, television
Profession: Actor
Twitter: @@CEjioforFans
British actor Chiwetel Ejiofor has been earning acclaim and accolades in the world of film for the better part of a decade. Since his breakthrough role in 2002’s Dirty Pretty Things, the thespian has been “that guy” in numerous popular films. His pairings with Oscar-winner Denzel Washington in Inside Man and American Gangster only elevated his profile with American audiences; and he’s been on several “watch” lists for the past several years. But in 2013, it appears that Ejiofor has gone from underrated talent to leading man with his riveting performance in Steve McQueen’s epic 12 Years A Slave. Ejiofor is up for numerous awards this season on the strength of his characterization of Solomon Northrup in the controversial film — and this is likely only the beginning for the 37 -year-old’s run as an A-lister in Hollywood.
He’s quoted as saying: “This is going to sound completely absurd, but I do sometimes feel like the enjoyment of an awards ceremony or the pride in the finished article hasn’t ever surpassed the joy of doing the work, of making it. The doing it is really the bit I’m there for.”
