Riz Ahmed (born December 1, 1982, in Wembley, London, England) is a British actor, rapper, writer, and producer. He studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics at the University of Oxford before training at the Central School of Speech and Drama. His early work combined independent films, music, and socially conscious storytelling.
He gained recognition through Four Lions and Nightcrawler, then earned international acclaim for The Night Of, Sound of Metal, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, and The OA. For Sound of Metal, he became the first Muslim actor nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor. Known for emotional intensity and authenticity, he has become one of Britain’s most acclaimed performers.
He has continued leading projects such as Fingernails while producing films and creating music as a solo artist. Through works like The Long Goodbye, he has explored themes of identity, belonging, and social change. With achievements across acting, music, and filmmaking, he remains a powerful voice in contemporary culture and global entertainment.