A Nigerian stage, film, and TV actor, and producer, David Oyelowo is known for essaying supporting roles in movies like Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Interstellar , Red Tails, Lincoln and The Butler. In 2014, Oyelowo received his first Golden Globe nomination for playing the role Martin Luther King, Jr. in the American biographical drama film Selma.

Early Life
Born on April 1, 1976, in Oxford England, Oyelowo`s father worked for British Airways, while his mother worked for British Railways. From a very young age, Oyelowo nurtured a passion for acting and joined City and Islington College to study theatre. He then enrolled in an art foundation course, at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA).

Personal Life
David Oyelowo tied the knot with actress Jessica Watson (now known as Jessica Oyelowo). The couple met as teenagers when they were both a member of the National Youth Music Theatre. Now settled in Los Angeles, they are blessed with four children.

Stage Career
Post his studies, Oyelowo continued working as a stage actor and in 2001, he featured in an award-winning lead role in Henry VI. This was the first time a king was portrayed by a black actor in a Royal Shakespeare Company production. He then did plays like The God Botherers and Prometheus Bound.

Television Career
Mostly known for featuring as MI 5 officer Danny Hunter in the British spy series Spooks, Oyelowo has also appeared in TV shows like Tomorrow La Scala, Maisie Raine, Sweet Nothing In My Year, Five Days, and The Passion. He then portrayed the role of Gilbert in the BBC TV adaptation of Andrea Levy`s novel Small Island, in 2009.

Movie Career
David Oyelowo made his silver screen debut with the sci-fi adventure film A Sound of Thunder (2005) and then starred in the biopic The Last King of Scotland(2006), which starred Forest Whitaker, Kerry Washington, and James McAvoy, along with him. He then appeared in a series of assorted roles in films like Rise of the Planet of the Apes, The Paperboy, Lincoln and Middle of Nowhere, which was directed by Ava DuVernay. In 2013, he appeared two blockbuster films: Lee Daniel`s The Butler and Christopher Nolan`s Interstellar. Oyelowo and DuVernay reunited in 2014, for the critically acclaimed historical drama film Selma. Starring Oyelowo as Martin Luther King, Jr, the movie premiered at the American Film Institute and earned Oyelowo his first Golden Globe Award nomination.

His 2016 release includes Mira Nair`s biographical drama film Queen of Katwe, that stars Lupita Nyong`o alongside him in the lead role. His 2021 release includes Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway, directed by Will Gluck.