Actor
David Oyelowo
- Born: 1 April 1976, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England
- Estimated net worth: $6 million
David Oyelowo is a British-Nigerian actor known for his powerful performances in both film and television. He is most recognized for his roles in 'Selma', where he portrayed Martin Luther King Jr., and 'The Butler'. Oyelowo's career is marked by his…
David Oyelowo: best films and shows
About David Oyelowo
David Oyelowo is a British-Nigerian actor known for his powerful performances in both film and television. He is most recognized for his roles in 'Selma', where he portrayed Martin Luther King Jr., and 'The Butler'. Oyelowo's career is marked by his versatility and strong stage presence, often taking on dramatic roles that showcase his emotional depth.
- Born
- 1 April 1976, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England
- Known for
- Acting
- Height
- 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
- Spouses
- Jessica Oyelowo (1998-present)
- Children
- 4 children, names not publicly disclosed
- Parents
- Samuel Oyelowo, Abosede Oyelowo
- Estimated net worth
- $6 million
Fun facts about David Oyelowo
- David Oyelowo was the first black actor to portray Martin Luther King Jr. in a major film.
- He initially pursued a career in the British theater before transitioning to film and television.
Famous David Oyelowo quotes
“You cannot be afraid to fail.”
“I am not afraid of the storm.”
“I have to be brave.”
David Oyelowo: coming up
- Clarissa (Movie, Peter)11 December 2026
Credits and dates: TMDB.
David Oyelowo filmography
Cast (116)
| Year | Title | Character | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Clarissa Movie | Peter | |
| 2026 | Treasure Island TV | Long John Silver | 6.2 |
| 2026 | Newborn Movie | Chris Newborn | 5.4 |
| 2025 | The American Revolution TV | Olaudah Equiano / Sam (voice) | 5.9 |
| 2025 | Government Cheese TV | Hampton Chambers | 3.9 |
| 2025 | National Theatre Live: Coriolanus Movie | Coriolanus | |
| 2024 | Big Cats, Small World TV | Narrator (voice) | 10.0 |
| 2024 | Becoming King Movie | Self | 1.0 |
| 2024 | The After Movie | Dayo | 5.6 |
| 2024 | After Midnight TV | Self | 5.5 |
Show 106 more creditsShow fewer
| Year | Title | Character | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | The Book of Clarence Movie | John the Baptist | 5.8 |
| 2023 | Off Script with The Hollywood Reporter TV | Self | 2.9 |
| 2023 | Role Play Movie | Dave | 6.0 |
| 2023 | Lawmen: Bass Reeves TV | Bass Reeves | 7.0 |
| 2023 | Silo TV | Sheriff Holston Becker | 8.2 |
| 2022 | The Tiger Who Came to Tea Movie | The Tiger (voice) | 6.3 |
| 2022 | The Jennifer Hudson Show TV | Self | 5.6 |
| 2022 | Sherri TV | Self - Guest | 2.6 |
| 2022 | See How They Run Movie | Mervyn Cocker-Norris | 6.3 |
| 2022 | Elemental: Reimagine Wildfire Movie | Narrator | 5.0 |
| 2022 | The Bastard King Movie | The Bastard King | 8.0 |
| 2022 | Earth's Great Rivers II TV | Self - Narrator (voice) | 8.0 |
| 2021 | The Girl Before TV | Edward Monkford | 6.2 |
| 2021 | Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway Movie | Nigel Basil-Jones | 7.0 |
| 2021 | Chaos Walking Movie | Aaron | 6.5 |
| 2020 | The Midnight Sky Movie | Adewole | 5.7 |
| 2020 | Come Away Movie | Jack Littleton | 5.8 |
| 2020 | The Water Man Movie | Amos Boone | 6.1 |
| 2020 | Home Movie: The Princess Bride TV | Prince Humperdinck | 7.7 |
| 2019 | The Kelly Clarkson Show TV | Self | 6.2 |
| 2019 | The Tamron Hall Show TV | Self - Guest | 4.7 |
| 2019 | Don't Let Go Movie | Detective Jack Radcliff | 6.9 |
| 2019 | Brave Girl Rising Movie | Narrator | |
| 2019 | Earth's Great Rivers TV | Self - Narrator (voice) | 7.8 |
| 2018 | Les Misérables TV | Javert | 7.3 |
| 2018 | Black Hollywood: 'They've Gotta Have Us' TV | Self | 6.3 |
| 2018 | Gringo Movie | Harold Soyinka | 5.9 |
| 2018 | A Wrinkle in Time Movie | The It (voice) | 5.0 |
| 2018 | The Joel McHale Show with Joel McHale TV | Self - Special Guest | 6.1 |
| 2018 | The Cloverfield Paradox Movie | Kiel | 5.6 |
| 2018 | Family Feud Movie | 2148 Descendant | 2.5 |
| 2017 | August 28: A Day in the Life of a People Movie | Unknown character | 1.0 |
| 2017 | The Lion Guard: The Rise of Scar Movie | Scar (voice) | 8.3 |
| 2016 | A United Kingdom Movie | Seretse Khama | 6.6 |
| 2016 | Queen of Katwe Movie | Robert Katende | 7.2 |
| 2016 | Five Nights in Maine Movie | Sherwin | 5.1 |
| 2016 | Nina Movie | Clifton Henderson | 5.2 |
| 2016 | The Lion Guard TV | Scar | 7.7 |
| 2015 | Captive Movie | Brian Nichols | 5.7 |
| 2015 | The Late Show with Stephen Colbert TV | Self - Guest | 6.1 |
| 2015 | Close Up with The Hollywood Reporter TV | Self | 6.2 |
| 2015 | Star Wars Rebels: The Siege of Lothal Movie | Agent Kallus (voice) | 7.9 |
| 2014 | A Most Violent Year Movie | D.A. Lawrence | 6.6 |
| 2014 | Selma Movie | Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. | 7.4 |
| 2014 | Variety Studio: Actors on Actors TV | Self | 4.2 |
| 2014 | Interstellar Movie | School Principal | 8.5 |
| 2014 | Default Movie | Atlas | 4.3 |
| 2014 | Star Wars Rebels TV | Agent Kallus (voice) | 7.7 |
| 2014 | Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion Movie | Agent Kallus (voice) | 7.3 |
| 2014 | Nightingale Movie | Peter Snowden | 6.0 |
| 2014 | Late Night with Seth Meyers TV | Self | 5.1 |
| 2014 | The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon TV | Self | 5.8 |
| 2014 | 9 Kisses Movie | Customer | 5.5 |
| 2014 | Off Camera with Sam Jones TV | Self | 5.0 |
| 2013 | The Arsenio Hall Show TV | Self | 5.7 |
| 2013 | The Butler Movie | Louis Gaines | 7.3 |
| 2013 | Jack Reacher: When the Man Comes Around Movie | Self | 7.4 |
| 2013 | The Frame TV | Steven Jacobs | 10.0 |
| 2013 | Complicit Movie | Edward Ekubo | 5.1 |
| 2012 | Jack Reacher Movie | Det. Emerson | 6.7 |
| 2012 | Lincoln Movie | Corporal Ira Clark | 6.8 |
| 2012 | Middle of Nowhere Movie | Brian | 6.1 |
| 2012 | The Paperboy Movie | Yardley Acheman | 5.5 |
| 2012 | Rahab Movie | Cen | 4.7 |
| 2012 | Red Tails Movie | Joe 'Lightning' Little | 6.7 |
| 2011 | 96 Minutes Movie | Duane | 5.7 |
| 2011 | The Help Movie | Preacher Green | 8.2 |
| 2011 | Rise of the Planet of the Apes Movie | Steven Jacobs | 7.4 |
| 2010 | Conan TV | Self | 7.2 |
| 2010 | Blood And Oil TV | Keme Tobodo | |
| 2010 | Blood and Oil Movie | Keme Tobodo | 5.8 |
| 2009 | Small Island TV | Gilbert | 6.1 |
| 2009 | Rage Movie | Homer | 3.5 |
| 2009 | The Good Wife TV | Judge Edward Weldon | 7.6 |
| 2009 | Glenn Martin, DDS TV | Unknown character | 6.7 |
| 2009 | Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen TV | Self - Guest | 4.9 |
| 2008 | Who Do You Love Movie | Muddy Waters | 1.0 |
| 2008 | Sweet Nothing in My Ear Movie | Leonard Grisham | 6.3 |
| 2008 | The Passion TV | Joseph of Arimathea | 5.3 |
| 2008 | A Raisin in the Sun Movie | Joseph Asagai | 6.1 |
| 2007 | Five Days TV | Matt Wellings | 5.8 |
| 2006 | Born Equal Movie | Yemi | 5.0 |
| 2006 | American Blend Movie | Mercury | 8.0 |
| 2006 | The Last King of Scotland Movie | Dr. Thomas Junju | 7.4 |
| 2006 | As You Like It Movie | Orlando De Boys | 5.8 |
| 2006 | The One Show TV | Self | 4.3 |
| 2006 | Shoot the Messenger Movie | Joseph Pascale | 5.4 |
| 2006 | Mayo TV | Eddie Barton, 'Sexy' M.P. | 4.2 |
| 2005 | Derailed Movie | Patrol Officer | 6.4 |
| 2005 | The Best Man Movie | Graham | 5.4 |
| 2005 | A Sound of Thunder Movie | Marcus Payne | 4.9 |
| 2003 | Jimmy Kimmel Live! TV | Self - Guest | 5.3 |
| 2002 | Tomorrow La Scala! Movie | Charlie | 8.0 |
| 2002 | Spooks TV | Danny Hunter | 7.7 |
| 2001 | Dog Eat Dog Movie | CJ | 5.2 |
| 1998 | Maisie Raine TV | Sonny McDonald | |
| 1997 | The View TV | Self | 4.3 |
| 1992 | As Time Goes By TV | Patrick | 7.6 |
| 1988 | LIVE with Kelly and Mark TV | Self - Guest | 5.6 |
| 1956 | Tony Awards TV | Self - Presenter | |
| 1953 | The Oscars TV | Self | 7.1 |
| TBA | The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo TV | Mikael Blomkvist | |
| TBA | Tyler Perry's Madea's Family Affair Movie | Reverend Elijah Grant | |
| TBA | Othello Movie | Othello | |
| TBA | The Return of the Rocketeer Movie | The Rocketeer | |
| TBA | Heist of Benin Movie | Unknown character |
Crew (27)
| Year | Title | Role | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Newborn Movie | Producer · Production | 5.4 |
| 2025 | American Solitaire Movie | Executive Producer · Production | |
| 2025 | Government Cheese TV | Executive Producer · Production | 3.9 |
| 2024 | Becoming King Movie | Producer · Production | 1.0 |
| 2024 | The After Movie | Producer · Production | 5.6 |
Show 22 more creditsShow fewer
| Year | Title | Role | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Lawmen: Bass Reeves TV | Executive Producer · Production | 7.0 |
| 2021 | 5150 Movie | Executive Producer · Production | 6.3 |
| 2021 | Ferguson Rises Movie | Producer · Production | |
| 2021 | Night of the Kings Movie | Executive Producer · Production | 6.6 |
| 2020 | Come Away Movie | Producer · Production | 5.8 |
| 2020 | The Water Man Movie | Producer · Production | 6.1 |
| 2020 | The Water Man Movie | Director · Directing | 6.1 |
| 2019 | Don't Let Go Movie | Producer · Production | 6.9 |
| 2019 | Don't Let Go Movie | Executive Producer · Production | 6.9 |
| 2018 | Les Misérables TV | Executive Producer · Production | 7.3 |
| 2016 | A United Kingdom Movie | Producer · Production | 6.6 |
| 2016 | 13th Movie | Thanks · Crew | 7.8 |
| 2016 | Five Nights in Maine Movie | Producer · Production | 5.1 |
| 2015 | Captive Movie | Producer · Production | 5.7 |
| 2014 | Nightingale Movie | Executive Producer · Production | 6.0 |
| 2009 | Big Guy Movie | Producer · Production | 3.0 |
| 2009 | Big Guy Movie | Director · Directing | 3.0 |
| TBA | The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo TV | Executive Producer · Production | |
| TBA | Othello Movie | Director · Directing | |
| TBA | Othello Movie | Producer · Production | |
| TBA | Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun Movie | Producer · Production | |
| TBA | Heist of Benin Movie | Producer · Production |
Latest releases
- Newborn2026 / TMDB 5.4
- Becoming King2024 / TMDB 1.0
- The After2024 / TMDB 5.6
- The Book of Clarence2024 / TMDB 5.8
- Role Play2023 / TMDB 6.0
- The Tiger Who Came to Tea2022 / TMDB 6.3
Questions about David Oyelowo
What are some of David Oyelowo's career highlights?
David Oyelowo's career highlights include his acclaimed performance in 'Selma' and his role in 'The Butler'. He has also received praise for his work in television series like 'Spooks' and 'Les Misérables'.
Has David Oyelowo won any awards?
David Oyelowo has won several awards, including the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture for 'Selma'. He has also received nominations for other prestigious awards throughout his career.
What was David Oyelowo's first film?
David Oyelowo's first film role was in 'The Last King' (2003). He gained attention for his performance, paving the way for his future roles in both film and television.
Which films are considered David Oyelowo's most successful?
Some of David Oyelowo's most successful films include 'Selma', 'The Butler', and 'A United Kingdom'. These films have not only achieved critical acclaim but have also performed well at the box office.
What do we know about David Oyelowo's personal life?
David Oyelowo is married to Jessica Oyelowo, and they have four children together. He values family life and often speaks about the importance of balancing his career with his responsibilities as a father.
What is David Oyelowo's estimated net worth?
David Oyelowo's estimated net worth is approximately $6 million. His wealth primarily comes from his successful acting career in film, television, and theater.
Can you list some key milestones in David Oyelowo's filmography?
Key milestones in David Oyelowo's filmography include his breakout role in 'The Last King', his portrayal of Martin Luther King Jr. in 'Selma', and his performance in 'A United Kingdom', which showcased his range as an actor.
Has David Oyelowo worked in theater?
Yes, David Oyelowo has a strong background in theater. He has performed in various stage productions, including Shakespearean plays, which helped develop his acting skills before transitioning to film.