Daniel Kaluuya is a British actor of Ugandan descent, born February 24, 1989, in London, who achieved international recognition through his Oscar-nominated performance in Jordan Peele’s 2017 thriller “Get Out.” He subsequently starred in major films including Marvel’s “Black Panther,” earning over $1.3 billion worldwide, and “Judas and the Black Messiah,” which garnered him a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor and his second Academy Award nomination, establishing his prominence in socially conscious cinema.
Daniel Kaluuya, a British actor of Ugandan descent, has emerged as one of the most prominent and critically acclaimed performers of his generation, earning widespread recognition for his powerful portrayals in socially conscious films that address complex racial and political themes. Born February 24, 1989, in London, England, to parents Damalie Namusoke and Stephen Kaluuya, he was raised primarily by his mother alongside an older sister in Camden, developing his acting skills through local theater programs while attending an all-boys school during his upbringing.
Kaluuya began his career in the mid-2000s with the BBC film “Shoot the Messenger” in 2006, subsequently gaining recognition on the teen drama “Skins” from 2007 to 2009, where he portrayed Posh Kenneth and contributed as a writer. His early television work included appearances on British shows such as “Doctor Who,” “Silent Witness,” and “That Mitchell and Webb Look,” while he earned stage acclaim with a lead role in Roy Williams’ “Sucker Punch” at Royal Court Theatre in London. During his time on Skins, he also joined the writing staff, contributing to the show’s development beyond his acting role.
Kaluuya’s early career spanned BBC television, teen drama “Skins,” and acclaimed stage work before his breakthrough in film.
The actor’s breakthrough came with his lead role as Chris Washington in Jordan Peele’s “Get Out” in 2017, a horror film exploring racial themes that grossed over $250 million worldwide and earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Actor. This performance garnered widespread critical acclaim, earning him the National Society of Film Critics’ Best Actor award and nominations from BAFTA and Independent Spirit Awards, establishing him as a culturally significant performer. The film also earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.
Following this success, Kaluuya appeared in several major productions, including Marvel’s “Black Panther” in 2018, where he played W’Kabi in a film that grossed over $1.3 billion worldwide. He also starred in Steve McQueen’s “Widows” in 2018, which earned $76 million globally, and Melina Matsoukas’ “Queen & Slim” in 2019, which grossed $47 million worldwide.
His portrayal of Fred Hampton in “Judas and the Black Messiah” in 2021 earned him critical praise and a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture, along with his second Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Kaluuya reprised his role as W’Kabi in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” in 2022.
Known for bringing depth to complex characters across genres including horror, superhero films, drama, and political biopics, Kaluuya is recognized as a representative figure for Black British actors achieving international success. He frequently collaborates on projects that highlight racial and social issues while demonstrating versatility and authentic screen presence.
