John Boyega

John Adedayo Bamidele Adegboyega, known professionally as John Boyega, is an esteemed British actor and producer who first drew widespread attention for his role as a teenage gang leader in the British comedy horror film Attack the Block in 2011. He achieved international recognition for his compelling portrayal of Finn in the Star Wars sequel trilogy films The Force Awakens (2015), The Last Jedi (2017), and The Rise of Skywalker (2019). His performance secured him the BAFTA Rising Star Award in 2016 and the Trophée Chopard at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival. More recently, in 2020, Boyega won a Golden Globe Award for his portrayal of Leroy Logan in Red, White and Blue, a part of Steve McQueen's anthology series Small Axe.

Born and raised in London by his Yoruba parents, Boyega's passion for acting bloomed at an early age. He landed his first acting role in a primary school play at a young age. His undeniable talent caught the attention of Teresa Early, the artistic director of Theatre Peckham, which led to his acting training from age 9 to 14. Boyega has since established his production company, UpperRoom Entertainment Limited, in 2016. His company co-produced the sequel to Pacific Rim, Pacific Rim: Uprising, in 2018, where he played the central character of Jake Pentecost. Boyega is also recognized as a strong advocate for the Black Lives Matter movement, showing solidarity with social issues.