British actor Idris Elba made his initial mark playing gangster Stringer Bell in “The Wire”, acclaimed as one of the best police shows America has ever produced. Elba loved portraying the cold-blooded character, but was glad to see him come to a bad end.
Idris was born in East London to African parents. His father was from Sierra Leone and his mother from Ghana. At the age of 14, he worked with his uncle, a DJ who played music at Sierra Leonean weddings and christenings. By 15, he was a DJ in his own right. In his early twenties he started trying out for parts on British television. After playing several supporting characters, he got a steady part on “Family Affairs” in 1997.
