Chiwetel Ejiofor

How to Bring an IRL Tale to the Big Screen

Chiwetel Ejiofor shares his thoughts on his directorial debut, based on the real-life The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind as written by the guy who lived it, William Kamkwamba.

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Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 55 wins & 74 nominations. See more awards »

Known For

12 Years a Slave Solomon Northup

(2013)

Dirty Pretty Things Okwe

(2002)

Serenity The Operative

(2005)

2012 Adrian Helmsley

(2009)

Show all | | Edit

Filmography

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Actor (50 credits)

2019 Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (post-production)

2019 The Lion King (post-production)
Scar (voice)

Tonight at Noon (completed)
Lee / Evans

2019 The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
Trywell Kamkwamba

2018 Sherlock Gnomes
Dr. Watson (voice)

2018 Mary Magdalene
Peter

2018 Come Sunday
Carlton Pearson

2017 Red Nose Day Actually (TV Short)
Peter

2016 Doctor Strange
Mordo

2016 Triple 9
Michael Atwood

2015 Secret in Their Eyes
Ray Kasten

2015 The Martian
Vincent Kapoor

2015 National Theatre Live: Everyman
Everyman

2015 Z for Zachariah
John Loomis

2013 Making a Scene (Short)
Man

2013 Half of a Yellow Sun
Odenigbo

2013 12 Years a Slave
Solomon Northup

2013 Phil Spector (TV Movie)
Mock Prosecutor

2013 Dancing on the Edge (TV Mini-Series)
Louis

- Interviewing Louis (2013) ... Louis

- Episode #1.5 (2013) ... Louis

- Episode #1.4 (2013) ... Louis

- Episode #1.3 (2013) ... Louis

- Episode #1.2 (2013) ... Louis

Show all 6 episodes

2013 Savannah
Christmas Moultrie

2011 The Shadow Line (TV Mini-Series)
Jonah Gabriel

- Episode #1.7 (2011) ... Jonah Gabriel

- Episode #1.6 (2011) ... Jonah Gabriel

- Episode #1.5 (2011) ... Jonah Gabriel

- Episode #1.4 (2011) ... Jonah Gabriel

- Episode #1.3 (2011) ... Jonah Gabriel

Show all 7 episodes

2010 Salt
Peabody

2009/I 2012
Adrian Helmsley

2009/I Endgame
Thabo Mbeki

2008 Redbelt
Mike Terry

2007 American Gangster
Huey Lucas

2007 Talk to Me
Dewey Hughes

2006 Tsunami: The Aftermath (TV Mini-Series)
Ian Carter

- Episode #1.2 (2006) ... Ian Carter

- Episode #1.1 (2006) ... Ian Carter

2006 Children of Men
Luke

2006 Inside Man
Detective Bill Mitchell

2005 Kinky Boots
Lola

2005 Slow Burn
Ty Trippin

2005 Serenity
The Operative

2005 Four Brothers
Victor Sweet

2004 Melinda and Melinda
Ellis Moonsong

2004 Red Dust
Alex Mpondo

2004 She Hate Me
Frank Wills

2003 Canterbury Tales (TV Mini-Series)
Paul

- The Knight's Tale (2003) ... Paul

2003 Love Actually
Peter

2003 3 Blind Mice
Mark Hayward

2003 Twelfth Night, or What You Will (TV Movie)
Orsino

2003 Trust (TV Mini-Series)
Ashley Carter

- Episode #1.4 (2003) ... Ashley Carter

- Episode #1.6 (2003) ... Ashley Carter

- Episode #1.5 (2003) ... Ashley Carter

- Episode #1.3 (2003) ... Ashley Carter

- Episode #1.2 (2003) ... Ashley Carter

Show all 6 episodes

2002 Dirty Pretty Things
Okwe

2001 Murder in Mind (TV Series)
DS McCorkindale

- Teacher (2001) ... DS McCorkindale (as Chiwetal Ejiofor)

2001 My Friend Soweto
Soweto

2001 Mind Games (TV Movie)
Tyler Arnold

2000 It Was an Accident
Nicky Burkett

1999 G:MT Greenwich Mean Time
Rix

1997 Amistad
Ensign Covey

1996 Screen Two (TV Series)
Ebow

- Deadly Voyage (1996) ... Ebow

Show

Soundtrack (5 credits)

2019 The Lion King (performer: "Be Prepared") (post-production)

2018 Come Sunday (performer: "Jesus Loves Me", "Jesus I'll Never Forget")

2013 12 Years a Slave (performer: "Roll Jordan Roll")

2013 Savannah (performer: "Bring Me a Gator", "Wade In The Watah") / (writer: "Bring Me a Gator")

2005 Kinky Boots (performer: "My Heart Belongs to Daddy" (1938), "I Want to Be Evil" (1953), "Whatever Lola Wants" (1955), "Together We Are Beautiful" (1980), "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" (1966), "In These Shoes" (1999), "Cha Cha Heels" (1988), "Going Back to My Roots" (1976), "Yes Sir I Can Boogie" (1977))

Show

Director (3 credits)

2019 The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

2013 Columbite Tantalite (Short)

2008 Slapper (Short)

Show

Writer (3 credits)

2019 The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (adaptation)

2013 Columbite Tantalite (Short)

2008 Slapper (Short) (writer)

Show

Thanks (3 credits)

2017 Doctor Strange: The Score-Cerer Supreme (Video documentary short) (special thanks)

2011 Monkeys (Short) (special thanks)

2008 Redbelt: Behind the Scenes (Video documentary short) (special thanks)

Show

Self (87 credits)

2019 Earth from Space (TV Series documentary)
Narrator

- Changing Planet (2019) ... Narrator (voice)

- Colourful Planet (2019) ... Narrator (voice)

- Patterned Planet (2019) ... Narrator (voice)

- A New Perspective (2019) ... Narrator (voice)

2019 Rachael Ray (TV Series)
Himself

- Academy Award Nominee Chiwetal Ejiofor is Here, Talking About His Directing and Screenwriting Debut! (2019) ... Himself

2015-2019 The Late Late Show with James Corden (TV Series)
Himself - Guest / Himself

- Isla Fisher/Chiwetel Ejiofor/Jonas Brothers (2019) ... Himself

- Chiwetel Ejiofor/Grace Helbig/Jake Lacy/Albert Hammond Jr. (2016) ... Himself - Guest

- Lake Bell/Chiwetel Ejiofor/Little Mix (2015) ... Himself - Guest

2019 Strahan & Sara (TV Series)
Himself

- Episode dated 27 February 2019 (2019) ... Himself

2013-2019 Today (TV Series)
Himself - Guest

- Episode dated 26 February 2019 (2019) ... Himself - Guest

- Episode dated 19 August 2015 (2015) ... Himself - Guest

- Episode dated 8 October 2013 (2013) ... Himself - Guest

2013-2019 The Daily Show (TV Series)
Himself / Himself - Guest

- Chiwetel Ejiofor (2019) ... Himself

- Chiwetel Ejiofor (2013) ... Himself - Guest

2019 Lorraine (TV Series)
Himself - Guest

- Episode dated 21 February 2019 (2019) ... Himself - Guest

2019 The One Show (TV Series)
Himself

- Episode dated 20 February 2019 (2019) ... Himself

2019 BAFTAs 2019 (TV Special)
Himself - Presenter

2019 The Graham Norton Show (TV Series)
Himself - Guest

- Sir Patrick Stewart/Regina King/Chiwetel Ejiofor/Ricky Gervais/Jack Savoretti (2019) ... Himself - Guest

2019 The Elephant Queen (Documentary)
Himself - Narrator

2018 The EE British Academy Film Awards (TV Special)
Himself - Presenter

2017 British Airways Safety Video: Director's Cut (Short)
Himself

2017 The Red Nose Day Special (TV Special)
Himself

2017 Defying Reality: The Art of Visual Effects of 'Doctor Strange' (Video documentary short)
Himself

2017 Doctor Strange: Across Time and Space (Video documentary short)
Himself / Mordo

2017 Doctor Strange: A Strange Transformation (Video documentary short)
Himself / Mordo

2017 Doctor Strange: Strange Company (Video documentary short)
Himself / Mordo

2017 Doctor Strange: The Fabric of Reality (Video documentary short)
Himself / Mordo

2016 Birthday Stories with Lynn Hirschberg (TV Series short)
Himself

- Chiwetel Ejiofor's Favorite Birthday (2016) ... Himself

2016 The Long Way Home: Making the Martian (Documentary)
Himself

2016 Red Nose Day (TV Movie)
Himself

2016 Triple 9: An Authentic World (Video short)
Himself

2016 Triple 9: Under the Gun (Video short)
Himself

2016 The First Monday in May (Documentary)
Himself (Cameo)

2009-2016 Made in Hollywood (TV Series)
Himself

- Oscar-Nominated Directors/Eddie the Eagle/Triple 9/The Witch (2016) ... Himself

- The Martian/The Keeping Room (2015) ... Himself

- No Escape/Unsullied/Learning to Drive/Sneak Peek: The Martian (2015) ... Himself

- Made in Hollywood Awards Special (2014) ... Himself

- Episode #9.5 (2013) ... Himself

Show all 7 episodes

2016 Adapting the Story for Today's World (Video short)
Himself

2005-2016 Film 2017 (TV Series)
Himself - Interviewee

- Episode #45.5 (2016) ... Himself - Interviewee

- Episode dated 3 October 2005 (2005) ... Himself - Interviewee

2016 Ares III: The Untold Story (Video documentary short)
Vincent Kapoor - Director of Mars Mission, NASA

2016 Occupy Mars: Casting and Costumes of 'The Martian' (Video documentary short)
Himself / Vincent Kapoor

2016 Signal Acquired: Writing and Direction of 'The Martian' (Video documentary short)
Himself / Vincent Kapoor

2015 Good Morning America (TV Series)
Himself - Guest

- Episode dated 26 November 2015 (2015) ... Himself - Guest

- Episode dated 23 November 2015 (2015) ... Himself - Guest

2015 Conan (TV Series)
Himself - Guest

- Chiwetel Ejiofor/Phil Rosenthal/Sean Donnelly (2015) ... Himself - Guest

2015 Late Night with Seth Meyers (TV Series)
Himself - Guest

- Cindy Crawford/Chiwetel Ejiofor/AWOLNATION (2015) ... Himself - Guest

2015 Let's Go, DFW! (TV Series)
Himself - Guest

- Episode #1.2 (2015) ... Himself - Guest

2013-2015 Charlie Rose (TV Series)
Himself - Guest

- Episode dated 26 August 2015 (2015) ... Himself - Guest

- Episode dated 25 August 2015 (2015) ... Himself - Guest

- Episode dated 10 October 2013 (2013) ... Himself - Guest

2015 Today at Wimbledon (TV Series)
Himself - Spectator

- 2015: Day 11 (2015) ... Himself - Spectator (uncredited)

2014-2015 Wimbledon (TV Series)
Himself - Spectator

- 2015: Day 11, Part 2 (2015) ... Himself - Spectator (uncredited)

- 2014: Day 12, Part 1 - Ladies' Singles and Ladies' Doubles Finals (2014) ... Himself - Spectator (uncredited)

2014-2015 E! Live from the Red Carpet (TV Series)
Himself

- The 2015 Academy Awards (2015) ... Himself

- The 2014 Academy Awards (2014) ... Himself

2015 The Oscars (TV Special)
Himself - Presenter

2014 The 66th Primetime Emmy Awards (TV Special)
Himself - Nominee

2014 2014 MTV Movie Awards (TV Special)
Himself - Nominee

2014 12 Years a Slave: A Historical Portrait (Video documentary)
Himself

2013-2014 Jimmy Kimmel Live! (TV Series)
Himself - Guest

- Toronto Mayor Rob Ford/Gonzo the Muppet/Fitz and the Tantrums (2014) ... Himself - Guest

- Episode #11.59 (2013) ... Himself - Guest

2014 The Oscars (TV Special)
Himself - Nominee

2014 The 2014 Film Independent Spirit Awards (TV Special)
Himself - Nominee & Presenter

2014 EE British Academy Film Awards: The Red Carpet Show (TV Special)
Himself

2014 The EE British Academy Film Awards (TV Special)
Himself - Winner

2009-2014 Tavis Smiley (TV Series)
Himself - Guest

- Episode dated 13 February 2014 (2014) ... Himself - Guest

- Episode dated 6 November 2009 (2009) ... Himself - Guest

2014 Rencontres de cinéma (TV Series)
Himself

- Episode dated 19 January 2014 (2014) ... Himself

2014 20th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (TV Special)
Himself - Presenter & Nominee

2014 19th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards (TV Special)
Himself - Nominee

2014 Ellen: The Ellen DeGeneres Show (TV Series)
Himself - Guest

- Julianna Margulies/John Newman/Chiwetel Ejiofor (2014) ... Himself - Guest

2014 2014 Golden Globe Arrivals Special (TV Special)
Himself - Interviewee

2014 71st Golden Globe Awards (TV Special)
Himself - Nominee (uncredited)

2013 Welcome to Nollywood: The Art of Africa (TV Short)
Himself

2013 Late Show with David Letterman (TV Series)
Himself - Guest

- Episode #21.72 (2013) ... Himself - Guest

- Episode #21.57 (2013) ... Himself - Guest

2013 Oprah's Next Chapter (TV Series)
Himself

- Idris Elba/Chiwetel Ejiofor/Michael B. Jordan (2013) ... Himself

2013 The Queen Latifah Show (TV Series)
Himself - Guest

- Queen's Biggest Surprise Ever! Plus, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Alan Thicke and a Performance by Queen Latifah (2013) ... Himself - Guest

2013 Live! with Kelly (TV Series)
Himself - Guest

- Liam Hemsworth/Chiwetel Ejiofor (2013) ... Himself - Guest

2013 TV One on One (TV Series)
Himself

- 12 Years a Slave: A TV One Special (2013) ... Himself

2013 The Reel Story: 12 Years a Slave (Video)
Himself

2013 The View (TV Series)
Himself - Guest

- Guest Co-Host Jesse Ventura/'12 Years a Slave' Stars Chiwetel Ejiofor & Lupita Nyong'o/'DWTS' Castoffs Valerie Harper & Tristan MacManus (2013) ... Himself - Guest

2013 Fox and Friends (TV Series)
Himself

- Episode dated 28 September 2013 (2013) ... Himself

2013 Arqiva British Academy Television Awards (TV Special)
Himself - Presenter

2011 Daybreak (TV Series)
Himself

- Episode dated 5 May 2011 (2011) ... Himself

2010 Salt: Declassified (Video documentary short)
Himself

2010 Roland Emmerich: Master of the Modern Epic (Video short)
Himself

2010 The 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards (TV Special)
Himself - Nominee

2009 The End of the World: The Actor's Perspective (Documentary short)
Himself

2009 Cinema 3 (TV Series)
Himself - Interviewee

- Episode dated 14 November 2009 (2009) ... Himself - Interviewee

2009 The 2009 Independent Spirit Awards (TV Special)
Himself

2008 Redbelt: Behind the Scenes (Video documentary short)
Himself

2008 Redbelt: Inside Mixed Martial Arts (Video documentary short)
Himself

2008 The John Akii Bua Story: An African Tragedy (Documentary)
John Akii Bua (voice)

2008 Up Close with Carrie Keagan (TV Series)
Himself - Guest

- Episode dated 28 April 2008 (2008) ... Himself - Guest

2008 Empire Movie Awards 2008 (TV Special)
Himself

2008 Fallen Empire: Making 'American Gangster' (Video documentary)
Himself

2008 The Making of American Gangster (TV Short)
Himself

2007 Partition: The Day India Burned (TV Movie)
Himself

2007 Children of Men: Visions of the Future (TV Movie documentary)
Himself

2006 The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (TV Series)
Himself - Guest

- Episode #3.56 (2006) ... Himself - Guest

2005-2006 Breakfast (TV Series)
Himself - Guest

- Episode dated 28 November 2006 (2006) ... Himself - Guest

- Episode dated 3 October 2005 (2005) ... Himself - Guest

2006 The Ultimate Heist: Making 'Inside Man' (TV Movie documentary)
Himself

2005 Why Shakespeare? (Video short documentary)
Himself

2004 Ceremonia de apertura del festival de cine de San Sebastián (TV Special)
Himself

2003 The Orange British Academy Film Awards (TV Special)
Himself

Show

Archive footage (2 credits)

2015 Charlie Rose (TV Series)
Himself - Guest

- Episode dated 28 August 2015 (2015) ... Himself - Guest

2014 Chelsea Lately (TV Series)
Solomon Northup

- Episode #8.32 (2014) ... Solomon Northup

Personal Details

Other Works:

Played David in "Church" and "One", two new plays about homosexuality in the Anglican Church by Richard Monks - BBC radio 4. See more »

Publicity Listings:

14 Articles | 1 Pictorial | See more »

Official Sites:

Filmnegah.com (Persian)

Alternate Names:

Chiwetal Ejiofor

Height:

5' 10" (1.78 m)

Edit

Did You Know?

Personal Quote:

I like to disappear into a role. I equate the success of it with a feeling of being chemically changed. See more »

Trivia:

Friends with Benedict Cumberbatch, Idris Elba and Andrew Lincoln. See more »

Star Sign:

Cancer

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