Jimi Mistry

James Patrick Mistry, known professionally as Jimi Mistry, is a retired British actor whose career spanned nearly two decades, beginning with his breakthrough role as Dr. Fred Fonseca on the iconic BBC soap EastEnders in the mid‑1990s. Born on 1973‑01‑01 in Scarborough, North Riding of Yorkshire, he grew up in a multicultural household, with an Indian father and an Irish mother, an upbringing that later informed many of his most memorable performances. After attending St James' Catholic High School in Cheadle Hulme and Radyr Comprehensive School in Cardiff, he refined his craft at the Birmingham School of Speech and Drama, laying the foundation for a versatile screen presence. Mistry quickly transitioned from television to film, earning critical acclaim for his role in East Is East (1999), a film that deftly explored cultural identity within a British Asian family. He continued to showcase his range in productions such as The Guru (2002) alongside Heather Graham, the disaster epic 2012, and the Leonardo DiCaprio‑starring Blood Diamond (2006), where his performance added depth to the ensemble cast. In the 2000s, he appeared in a string of diverse projects, including the romantic comedy Touch of Pink (2004), the fantasy adventure Ella Enchanted (2004), and Guy Ritchie’s crime caper RocknRolla (2008), each role further cementing his reputation as a reliable character actor. Beyond acting, Mistry explored his passion for music by producing and starring in the documentary And The Beat Goes On, chronicling the rise of house music in Ibiza, and he regularly DJs across the UK and Europe, hosting secretive parties under the banner Tabula Rasa. His television work extended to the ITV soap Coronation Street, where he portrayed fitness coach Kal Nazir from 2013 until the character’s dramatic exit in 2015. In 2010, Mistry made a memorable appearance on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, partnering with professional dancer Flavia Cacace, a collaboration that blossomed into a personal partnership culminating in their marriage in December 2013. Throughout his career, Jimi Mistry blended cultural nuance, comedic timing, and dramatic gravitas, leaving an indelible mark on both British television and cinema.