He acts. He raps. He deejays. He produces. He directs. Now, he’s one of the caped crusaders fighting against Ebola. Basically, there’s nothing Idris Elba can’t do — and he looks fabulous doing it. Here are 12 things you need to know about him (like, right now) that’ll make you swoon over him even more. As if that’s even possible.
1. Hey, Mr. Deejay
Thanks @ibizarockshouse, another BIG summer of #7wallace parties, we went IN (again). Pics: https://t.co/qLsDYF3M3Hpic.twitter.com/dFV82QWkT4
— Idris Elba (@idriselba) September 16, 2014
Image credit: Twitter/idriselba
At 14, Elba helped his uncle with his wedding deejay business, and within a year started his own deejay company with friends. By 19, he was working in nightclubs and is still in the biz under the names DJ Big Driis or Big Driis the Londoner. (Which means we need to book a party, stat.)
2. Before hitting it big, he did what he had to do to make ends meet
GIF credit: Giphy.com
Before his role on The Wire launched him into the stratosphere, Elba was a doorman at Carolines on Broadway and deejaying to pay the bills. (At one point early on in his career, he even lived in his car.)
3. He’s one of those multi-talented specimens
GIF credit: Giphy.com
Not only is he an award-winning actor (he won a Golden Globe in 2012 for his role on Luther) and stellar deejay, but also a singer and rapper. His new album, Mi Mandela, drops Nov. 24.
4. He’s a dad times two
My Son Winston Elba was born yesterday..Truly Amazing 🙂 pic.twitter.com/MrSEQPZo4z
— Idris Elba (@idriselba) April 18, 2014
Image credit: Twitter/idriselba
The doting dad has a daughter, Isan Elba, and now a son, Winston Elba, who was born on April 17. (Swoon.)
5. He’s working on, like, 75 movies right now
GIF credit: Giphy.com
Kidding, but he does have quite a few films in the works, including A Hundred Streets, Bastille Day and Alive Alone.
6. Even so, he’s not into the whole fame thing
Image credit: Instagram/7dub
He once told the Mirrorhe has the same friends from when he was a kid and that his life’s about his family and what’s best for them. On being famous: “I don’t want to get into all of that… That isn’t me, it just isn’t.” Which ironically, will make him even more famous. I mean, who doesn’t love a guy who plays hard to get?
7. He’s using his fame for good
At the UN today, @IdrisElba showed his support for the global #EbolaResponse. https://t.co/7ZV0TJp6qD
— United Nations (@UN) September 25, 2014
Video credit: Twitter/United Nations
Elba, whose father is from Sierra Leone, has joined the fight against Ebola. Among other things, he’s coordinating with the United Nations officials to work out specific ways he can help them stop the virus in its tracks.
8. His favorite Disney classic is The Jungle Book
Image credit: Instagram/7dub
Which is a good thing, considering he’s going to be the voice of Shere Khan in the Jon Favreau remake. (Say it with me now: “Awww!”)
9. His favorite video games are FIFA and UFC
GIF credit: Giphy.com
Natch.
10. He photobombed Oprah’s first selfie
My first selfie. Love @idriselba! #imageawardspic.twitter.com/m17kxQA38w
— Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) February 23, 2014
Image credit: Twitter/Oprah
For real.
11. Not only did he star in Mumford and Sons’ “Lover Of The Light” music vid, he directed it too
www.youtube.com/embed/nMJUbZrNnA8?rel=0
Video credit: YouTube/MumfordAndSonsVEVO
Let’s take a moment to appreciate his fine… work.
12. He’s beeeautiful
GIF credit: Giphy.com
But you knew that already.
Who do you think we should feature next? Tweet us about your latest man crush using the hashtag #ManCrushMondays.
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