Chiwetelu Umeadi Chiwetel Ejiofor born on July 10 1977 is an English actor He attended London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art but had to leave after a year after receiving the roll of Ens in Steven Spielbergs historical drama Amistad For his first leading film role in Dirty Pretty Things he won a British Independent Film Award for best actor He has portrayed Othello in numerous stage productions including Bloomsbury Theatre Theatre Royal in Glasgow and Donmar Warehouse He made his directorial debut in the short film Slapper which he also wrote He soon became well known after moving on to bigger roles in Inside Man 2005 American Gangster 2007 Children of Men and Steve McQueens 12 Years a Slave 2012