Where Did Idris Elba Go To College?
Idris Elba is a popular English actor known for roles in movies and TV shows like The Wire, Luther, Thor, and Beasts of No Nation. With such an impressive acting career spanning over two decades, many fans are curious – where did Idris Elba go to college?
Early Life and Schooling
Idris Elba was born Idrissa Akuna Elba in 1972 in London, England to immigrant parents from Ghana and Sierra Leone. As a child, he grew up in the Canning Town district of London.
For high school, Elba attended the all-boys school called Dick Sheppard School (later known as Trinity Catholic High School). He was very involved in school plays and drama productions during this time.
After finishing high school in 1988, Elba won a place in the National Youth Music Theatre. This opportunity allowed him to showcase his acting talents and gain experience on stage.
College Experience at Barking College
After the National Youth Music Theatre, Idris Elba enrolled in a drama course at Barking College (now part of Eastbury College) in 1989.
Barking College is located in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. At the time, the college offered vocational courses, apprenticeships, and A Level programs.
During his college days, Elba continued to act in school productions. However, he also worked odd jobs at a tire factory and as a DJ to support himself.
Elba studied at Barking College for three years but did not complete the full drama course curriculum. He left early in 1992 to pursue other acting opportunities.
Brief Enrollment at London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art
In 1992, shortly after leaving Barking College, Idris Elba was accepted into the prestigious London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA).
LAMDA is a drama school located in Hammersmith, London. It offers training in a range of stage, screen and radio acting techniques. Alumni from LAMDA include John Lithgow, Jim Broadbent, and Donald Sutherland.
However, Elba only attended LAMDA for about one year before deciding to leave drama school entirely. He felt he could get more valuable experience by working directly in the entertainment industry.
Start of Professional Acting Career
So in 1993, Idris Elba left formal education behind to fully pursue his acting career. He began by working low-paid roles and odd jobs between auditions.
Some of his early acting credits included:
- TV series like 2point4 Children and Space Precinct
- Crime drama series Bramwell
- Soap opera Family Affairs
Elba also continued working as a DJ under the name “Big Driis” during this time. He even released an album titled Big Man in 1999.
Eventually, Idris Elba started landing bigger roles. His breakout role came in 2002 as Russell “Stringer” Bell in the critically acclaimed series The Wire on HBO.
Later successes came with Luther, Thor, Pacific Rim, and Mandela: The Long Walk to Freedom. Over 30 years after starting drama college, Elba’s acting career continues to grow.
Key Takeaways from Idris Elba’s College Experience
To summarize Idris Elba’s educational path:
- Attended an all-boys high school where he discovered a passion for acting
- Studied drama at Barking College for 3 years
- Briefly enrolled at the prestigious LAMDA drama school for 1 year
- Left school to pursue professional acting roles in his early 20s
Some interesting things to note:
- Elba did not complete a full degree program or finish drama school
- He focused on getting practical experience early in his career
- Even without a degree, he found great success as an actor
This just shows that following a non-traditional path can work well for some people. Idris Elba’s talent, perseverance, and “learn by doing” approach allowed him to become the respected actor he is today.
Where Did Idris Elba Study Acting?
As discussed above, Idris Elba attended two different colleges to study acting and drama:
Barking College
- Located in east London
- Elba attended from 1989-1992
- Studied drama and performed in school productions
- Left before completing the full curriculum
London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA)
- Prestigious drama school located in west London
- Elba enrolled in 1992 after leaving Barking College
- Attended LAMDA for about 1 year before deciding to leave
- Alumni include many famous British actors
In addition to these two college experiences, Idris Elba also gained valuable acting experience in his youth by joining the National Youth Music Theatre.
After leaving school, he sharpened his skills by performing in small theatre productions and working a variety of acting jobs.
So while Elba does not have a completed college degree, he built up his dramatic talents through:
- High school drama participation
- National Youth Music Theatre
- College drama courses
- Practical experience in plays and television
This combination of formal studies and hands-on experience prepared him well for his professional acting career. Elba proved that going beyond traditional education can still lead to success for those with drive and natural ability.
What Degree Did Idris Elba Get?
Idris Elba does not have a college degree. He studied drama at two colleges – Barking College and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art – but did not complete a full degree program at either one.
Here are some more details on Idris Elba’s education and degrees:
- Attended Barking College from 1989-1992 to study drama. Left before finishing his course curriculum.
- Was accepted into LAMDA drama school in 1992 but only attended for about one year. Decided to leave formal education entirely in 1993.
- Does not have a university degree or diploma in drama or acting from a college or drama school.
- His first acting credits came from small roles on British TV starting around 1994.
- Had his major breakout role as Stringer Bell on HBO’s The Wire in 2002 despite lacking a degree.
- Went on to achieve critical and commercial success in movies like Thor, Pacific Rim, Beasts of No Nation and the BBC series Luther.
So despite not having a traditional degree, Idris Elba proved it was possible to build an impressive acting career through talent, perseverance and determination.
His early works after leaving school helped him hone his craft and land bigger roles over time. Elba shows that with the right mix of natural ability and experience, formal education is not always necessary for success in acting.
Idris Elba’s Acting Highlights and Awards
Even without a college degree, Idris Elba has built up an accomplished acting resume over the past three decades. Some highlights of his acting career include:
Television
- Russell “Stringer” Bell in The Wire (2002–2004) – His breakout role
- DCI John Luther in Luther (2010–present) – Won a Golden Globe Award
- Charlie in The Office (2005) – Guest appearance
- Captain Augustus “Gus” Haynes in The Wire (2006-2008)
Film
- Heimdall in Thor (2011) and other Marvel Thor films
- Stacker Pentecost in Pacific Rim (2013)
- Commandant in Beasts of No Nation (2015) – BAFTA Award nomination
- Nelson Mandela in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (2013) – Golden Globe nomination
Notable Awards
- Four Primetime Emmy Award nominations
- Two Golden Globe nominations with one win for Luther
- Five Screen Actors Guild Award nominations
- BET Awards for Best Actor on Television (2014, 2016, 2017)
- TIME 100 Most Influential People in the World (2016)
This impressive resume demonstrates how Idris Elba was able to find success as a professional actor without needing a college degree. His skills and work ethic are a testament to how far natural talent and determination can take someone in the entertainment industry.
What Can We Learn from Idris Elba’s Nontraditional Education Path?
Idris Elba’s unique path to acting success provides some interesting lessons for those considering an acting career or nontraditional education in general:
Get practical experience early – Elba focused on getting real-world experience by doing plays and small acting jobs after leaving school. This helped him build his skills.
Develop natural talent – Elba was able to rely on his natural acting abilities. Drama school can help polish talent, but aptitude is also important.
Persevere through challenges – Elba worked odd jobs and struggled after leaving school. But he didn’t give up even when his career was slow to take off.
Be flexible and open-minded – Following a nontraditional path requires a flexible mindset. Elba changed course when needed.
Leverage connections – Getting a manager and agent helped open doors for Elba early on. Networking matters.
Create opportunities – Elba kept pushing forward, gaining more credits and bigger roles. This momentum creates its own opportunities.
Have confidence – Elba believed in himself as an actor, even without all the traditional qualifications. Self-confidence helps drive success.
While Idris Elba’s path is unique, it shows that thinking outside the box can work. He let his passion for acting guide him, found opportunities to grow, and maintained belief in his talents. This impressive journey was fueled by his inner purpose and drive to succeed as an actor.
Conclusion
In summary, Idris Elba attended Barking College and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art in his youth to study acting. However, he did not complete a degree program at either school. Elba left formal education in his 20s to pursue professional acting roles and gain practical experience.
Despite not having a traditional degree, Elba successfully built up an impressive acting resume over the decades through talent and perseverance. He broke through playing Stringer Bell on The Wire in 2002 and went on to achieve both critical and commercial success.
Idris Elba is a great example of someone succeeding in a creative field like acting without following a traditional educational path. His dedication to honing his natural abilities and seizing opportunities led to a thriving career with plenty of accolades. Elba’s fascinating journey provides inspiration and lessons for those looking to forge their own path to success.
Frequently Asked Questions About Idris Elba’s College Experience
Where did Idris Elba go to college in London?
Idris Elba attended two different colleges in London – Barking College and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA). He studied drama at Barking from 1989-1992 before briefly enrolling at LAMDA in 1992.
Did Idris Elba go to university?
No, Idris Elba did not attend university. His only post-secondary education was drama studies at Barking College and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. He did not complete a university degree.
What qualification did Idris Elba get from college?
Idris Elba did not obtain any formal qualifications or degrees from his college studies. He left Barking College early and only attended LAMDA for about one year.
Is Idris Elba self-taught as an actor?
While largely self-taught in the end, Idris Elba did receive some formal drama training at two London colleges in his youth. However, most of his acting skills were built up through gaining practical experience in small roles during the early years of his career.
What major acting roles did Elba get without a degree?
Some of Idris Elba’s biggest acting roles without having a college degree include Stringer Bell in HBO’s The Wire, DCI John Luther in the BBC series Luther, and Heimdall in the Marvel Thor films. His raw talent and on the job experience prepared him for these opportunities.
Did Idris Elba attend Juilliard or RADA?
No, Idris Elba did not attend Juilliard School in New York City or the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London. He studied drama at two less prestigious English institutions – Barking College and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA).