Idris Elba is a British actor, born in London, England, to African immigrant parents from Sierra Leone and Ghana. He began his acting career in soap operas and television serials before gaining recognition for his role as Russell "Stringer" Bell in the HBO series "The Wire." Elba is also known for his roles in the BBC One series "Luther" and the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Heimdall. He has appeared in numerous films, including "American Gangster," "Prometheus," "Pacific Rim," "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom," "Beasts of No Nation," "Star Trek Beyond," "The Mountain Between Us," "Thor: Ragnarok," "Avengers: Infinity War," and "Avengers: Endgame." Elba has also voiced characters in animated films such as "Zootopia," "Jungle Book," and "Finding Dory." He was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Queen Elizabeth II in the 2016 New Years Honours for his services to drama. Elba is an only child and has been married twice, with one child from his first marriage. He has a deep baritone voice and a strong London accent. Elba has also worked as a disc jockey under the name "Big Driis the Londoner."
