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John Boyega at the 2015 San Diego Comic Con International in San Diego, California. Photo by Gage Skidmore-

Top 10 Facts about John Boyega

John Boyega is a British producer and actor. He rose to prominence in his native Britain for his role as Moses in the film 鈥淎ttack the Block鈥� in 2011 and international fame for his role as Finn in the 鈥淪tar Wars Sequel trilogy films The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, and The Rise of Skywalker. Other recognitions include the drama film Imperial Dreams in 2014, the historical epic 鈥淭he Woman King in 2022 and the thriller film 鈥淏reaking in 2022.

Learn more about John Boyega in these top 10 facts.

1. John Boyega is of Nigerian Descent

John was born on March 17, 1992, as John Adedayo Bamidele Adegboyega in the Camberwell district of London and grew up in Peckham. His parent Samson Adegboyega, a Pentecostal minister, and Abigail, a carer, are both of Yoruba descent, and he also has two elder sisters.

His parents, who are of Yoruba descent, are both Nigerian; John has always been vocal about his Nigerian descendants and embraces his heritage. Boyega and his sister Grace were one of the last to see Damilola Taylor alive; they were friends, and the Boyega鈥檚 helped watch him.

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2. Boyega’s First Acting Role Was a Leopard

John Boyega at Star Wars European premiere in 2015. Photo by Sassy-

Boyega’s acting career started when he played a role as a leopard while at Oliver Goldsmith Primary School. At the age of nine, he was playing another play at the school when he got spotted by Teresa Early, the artistic director of Theatre Peckham, a schooling theatre for young people who live in south London.

From nine years to fourteen, Boyega spent his time outside school hours. There was a rumor that his father wanted him to become a minister like him. However, Boyega dismissed this in an interview with Sam Sanders on Fresh Air, stating that his father supported his theatrical interest.

3. John Boyega Is a Trained Actor

In 2003, he began his secondary education at Westminster City School, where he was in various school production. From 2008 to 2010, he learned at South Thames College at the college鈥檚 Wandsworth campus to school for a National Diploma in Performing Arts. One of his activities there included playing the title role in the college production of Othello.

He then enrolled at the University of Greenwich to study for a Bachelor of Arts in film studies and medal writing but dropped out to focus on his acting career. Boyega trained with the Identity School of Acting in London and became a patron of its Los Angeles branch when it opened in 2018.

4. He Gained Fame in Britain After Starring in 鈥淎ttack the Block鈥� Film

 Boyega’s acting career became popular in his native Britain after starring in the film Attack the Block. He played the role of Moses, a low-level crook, teenage gang leader and orphan looking for respect around the block.

The film gained good reception, earned good returns, and was also nominated for various Awards, winning awards like Outstanding Foreign Film at the 2011 Black Reel Awards 2011.

5. Boyega International Breakthrough Came in 2015

John Boyega speaking at the 2015 San Diego Comic Con International, for “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”, at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California. Photo by Gage Skidmore-

In 2015 the film Star Wars: The Force Awakens was released, and John Boyega was one of the Major characters starring as Finn. Finn, in the film, was a stormtrooper for the First Order who, after witnessing their brutality, left the military power and joined the fight against them. Boyega’s performance was acclaimed from critics and audiences.

Other films which increased his international popularity are The Last Jedi in 2017 and The Rise of Skywalker in 2019.

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6. Boyega Started His Own Production Company in 2016

In January 2016, Boyega established his own production company, Upperroom Entertainment Limited. Boyega company co-produced with Legendary Entertainment 2018鈥檚 Pacific Rim: Uprising, the sequel to the 2013 movie Pacific Rim, where he played the lead role of Jake Pentecost.

In 2019, Boyega teased his new collaboration with Writer/Director Sebastian Thiel, with whom he is developing a series grounded on their childhood experiences with Boyega producing.

7. Boyega Activism and Advocacy

He showed solidarity with George Floyd, Trayvon Martin, Stephen Lawrence, and Sandra Bland during a speech at a Black Lives Matter rally in Hyde Park, London. Several celebrities supported this gesture, and Lucasfilm supported Boyega and the Black Lives Matter movement.

During an interview in 2020 with British GQ,  he openly criticized Disney for sidelining his character Finn in the Star Wars sequel trilogy. He said, 鈥� what I would say to Disney is do not bring out a black character, market them to be much more important in the franchise than they are and then have them pushed to the side. It鈥檚 not good. I鈥檒l say it straight up.鈥�

8. Boyega Has Voiced Video Games

Photo by Patrick L-

John Boyega landed his voice on three occasions for video games; in 2015, he was the voice of Finn in Disney Infinity 3.0; in 2016, he voiced again in Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and in 2017, he lent his voice the last time for the same character in  Star Wars Battlefront II.

9. John Boyega Has Received Many Awards and Recognition, Throughout His Career

Since Boyega started his acting career and gained wide recognition in native Britain, his career has been a success. He has many awards he can boast about. In 2011 he won Best Actor at Black Reel Award, Rising Star Award at British Academy Film Award, and Best Male Newcomer at Empire Award in 2015.

In 2020, Boyega won Best Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie at the Critics鈥� Choice Television Award and Best Supporting Actor-Television at Golden Globe Awards. Subsequently, he was nominated for The British/Irish Actor of the Year at the London Film Critics Circle and Best Actor in a Miniseries or TV Film at Satellite Awards in 2020.

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10. Boyega Accidentally Forgot His Star Wars Script

Boyega admitted to forgetting a script for the Star Wars movie. As a result, the script ended up on eBay. He explained that he had mistakenly left the script under his bed while moving apartments. Good enough, it was found and bought by a production rep for the movie.