Idris Elba Quotes

Powerful Idris Elba for Daily Growth

About Idris Elba

Idris Elba, OBE (born September 6, 1972), is a British actor, producer, DJ, rapper, and singer, renowned for his versatile acting skills that span across film, television, and music. Born in Hackney, London to Sierra Leonean parents, Elba was raised in a humble background, attending school in Canning Town until the age of 16 when he dropped out to pursue his passion for music. Elba's early career began as a DJ, going by the name "DJ Big Driis." His interest in acting was ignited after landing roles in two BBC series, "Crimewatch" and "The Bill," which led him to study acting at the National Theatre's drama course. His breakout role came in 2002 when he starred as Stringer Bell in the critically acclaimed HBO series "The Wire." In 2013, Elba was cast as Heimdall in Marvel Studios' "Thor" franchise, marking his first appearance in a major Hollywood film. This role expanded his global recognition and paved the way for more significant roles, including that of the titular character in the Netflix series "Luther," which he has played since 2010. Elba's music career includes several albums under various names, such as Driisbeatz, Idris Elba, and Big Driis. His single "Murderer" reached number one on the UK garage charts in 2006. In recognition of his contributions to drama, Elba was awarded an OBE (Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth II in 2016. His impact on film and television, coupled with his success in music, solidifies him as a multi-talented artist who continues to break barriers and inspire others.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The only person that can stop me is me."

This quote by Idris Elba emphasizes self-accountability and empowerment. It suggests that the primary obstacle to achieving one's goals or potential lies within oneself. In other words, it's a reminder that personal growth, success, and overcoming challenges are ultimately determined by an individual's own actions, decisions, and mindset. It encourages people to take responsibility for their lives, recognize their own power, and work diligently towards their aspirations.

"Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful."

Idris Elba's quote emphasizes that true success is not an end goal but rather a byproduct of finding happiness in one's work or pursuits. The implication is that if one follows their passion and enjoys what they do, they are more likely to achieve sustained success because they are motivated from within rather than striving for external validation. In essence, it suggests that seeking happiness first can lead to a more fulfilling, sustainable form of success.

"I'm an actor, but I've got a heart and I've got feelings."

Idris Elba is acknowledging that while he is primarily known for his acting profession, he is also a human being with emotions and empathy. This quote highlights his recognition of the duality in every individual - one's public role or identity, and their private, emotional nature. It also suggests that Elba values authenticity, choosing to express openly that he experiences feelings alongside his successful career as an actor.

"There's no blueprint for life. You just have to figure it out as you go along."

This quote by Idris Elba suggests that there is no predefined plan or guide for how one should live their life. Instead, each individual must navigate their own path, learning and adapting as they encounter various experiences and challenges. It encourages self-discovery, resilience, and the ability to adapt to circumstances in order to find personal fulfillment and success.

"You can only control the controllables. Focus on what you can do, not what you can't."

This quote by Idris Elba emphasizes the importance of focusing one's energy on things that are within one's control, rather than dwelling on the things that are not. It encourages a proactive approach to life challenges, where one takes responsibility for their actions and efforts, and lets go of what they cannot change. In essence, it is about adopting a mindset of resilience and productivity by channeling energy towards achievable goals, thereby increasing the chances of personal and professional success.

When I look at my body of work, I've played a lot of characters who are morally conflicted - 'I'm right, no I'm wrong, I don't know what to do!' I want to play more characters who don't care as much, and who aren't as measured. They are what they are, no apologies.

- Idris Elba

Body, Play, Measured, Morally

Bond? It is a bit like saying, 'Do you want to play Superman?' Anyone would dream of it. It's one of the most coveted roles in film. I'd be honoured. But I don't know if it will actually happen. I'm just happy with the idea of being associated with it. It's nice there's a lot of good will.

- Idris Elba

Play, Idea, Roles, Honoured

I love to play different roles. That's just the kind of actor I am.

- Idris Elba

Love, Play, Kind, Different Roles

I'm not interested in making all-black films - I come from a very diverse culture; I want to work with every type of person. I work a lot with women executives because they seem to be a lot more open minded about that and a lot more progressive in that way.

- Idris Elba

Very, About, Minded, Progressive

I did a rendition of 'Billie Jean' which is on my Soundcloud. I put it on Twitter, and it got about 3000 hits that day.

- Idris Elba

Got, About, Which, Jean

Sean Connery wasn't the Scottish James Bond and Daniel Craig wasn't the blue-eyed James Bond. So if I played him, I don't want to be called the black James Bond.

- Idris Elba

Want, James, Sean Connery, Blue-Eyed

I knew that if I wanted to be all I could be, I would have to go to the U.S. It took three years to get the accent right.

- Idris Elba

Knew, Could, Took, Accent

Because I was big, I didn't have to listen to anyone doubting me. I was just considered good at football or whatever, there were no questions about it.

- Idris Elba

Questions, Big, Considered, Doubting

I get criticized for taking roles in films like 'Ghost Rider 2', but if you look at my resume, dude, I've mixed it up as much as I can.

- Idris Elba

Resume, Like, Films, Rider

I'm an ambitious person. I never consider myself in competition with anyone, and I'm not saying that from an arrogant standpoint, it's just that my journey started so, so long ago, and I'm still on it and I won't stand still.

- Idris Elba

Competition, Long, Ambitious, My Journey

It's really funny because the same people who loved me as Stringer Bell were the same people that were watching 'Daddy's Little Girls' literally in tears.

- Idris Elba

People, Tears, Literally, Bell

The long and short of it is that I am now in a position in England to green light movies, and that's really excellent - not high-budget movies, but movies none the less.

- Idris Elba

Green, England, Excellent, Green Light

I was cast in 'Thor' and I'm cast as a Nordic god. If you know anything about the Nords, they don't look like me but there you go. I think that's a sign of the times for the future. I think we will see multi-level casting. I think we will see that, and I think that's good.

- Idris Elba

I Think, Sign, About, Casting

I want to go to Sierra Leone with something - whether it's some sort of contribution to healthcare, or to the entertainment industry. My cousin is a nurse; we are talking about opening a clinic.

- Idris Elba

Some, Entertainment, Sierra, Nurse

I've always had ambition, and the acting was successful and put my name on the map, but it was never the plan to stop there.

- Idris Elba

Always, Had, Put, Map

Television has shied away from being too dark, because so much has happened to us recently here in the West, and people are sort of wanting to see more uplifting sorts of things.

- Idris Elba

Here, Away, Wanting, Uplifting

The one album I can't live without is called 'Cumbolo' by a band called Culture. Every song on their album is deep, but there's one in particular called 'This Train.' I have a tattoo of the lyrics on my left arm.

- Idris Elba

Deep, Song, Album, Arm

It was deeply important for me to understand where Mandela came from. Because we know where he was going, and that's a famous story, but who was he? Where did he come from? What was his upbringing?

- Idris Elba

Famous, Understand, Going, Mandela

Yeah, I know, any time you hear an actor say, 'I do music', you cringe. But I want to be gradual with my music. I want to earn my stripes.

- Idris Elba

Want, Say, Gradual, Cringe

Africans, we hold on to our youths and whip them into shape.

- Idris Elba

Shape, Them, Our, Youths

Twenty or 30 years from now, I'm going to be on a beach in Jamaica.

- Idris Elba

Beach, Now, Going, Jamaica

I've been DJing mostly, and most DJs end up producing. That's just me.

- Idris Elba

Been, Most, Mostly, DJs

I was really ambitious, so I was innovative. I was one of the first DJs to do live calls, 'cause I found this phone device that would pick up other people's voices.

- Idris Elba

Other, Voices, Cause, DJs

There's a fast-track if you can do the networking. For some personalities it works, but for mine it doesn't.

- Idris Elba

Some, Mine, Works, Personalities

I did green screen for the first time! I wouldn't like to do a whole movie of green screen, though. You kind of forget the plot a little - like being in a Broadway play and doing it over and over and forgetting your line halfway through.

- Idris Elba

Play, Doing, Through, Green Screen

I try to fit in workouts whenever I can.

- Idris Elba

Try, Fit, Whenever, Workouts

It's actually quite criminal how 'The Wire' was systematically ignored.

- Idris Elba

How, Ignored, Actually, Criminal

I think 'The Wire' really is relatable. It reflects an ongoing issue across America, about inaccuracies in major cities between rich and the poor and some of the things that go on behind the red tape of council and government bodies.

- Idris Elba

Behind, Some, I Think, Reflects

I think there's a tendency for actors like myself, and I don't mean to generalize myself, but I've played 'men's men,' if you will, characters that are simmering rage and calculated. There's a trend not to play anything that is opposed to that.

- Idris Elba

Play, I Think, Tendency, Generalize

I was on a well-beaten path of actors - what we all call 'the Law and Order route'. I spent two years of auditioning for everything... and then 'The Wire' came up.

- Idris Elba

Law, Spent, Auditioning, Law And Order

I've always been DJing; it's just I'm making more of a push for it, making it more public.

- Idris Elba

Always, Making, Been, Push

In 'Pacific Rim' I had to have a haircut I wouldn't usually rock. However, the moustache I had in the film - that might have to come out again. It was a good moustache. Good times.

- Idris Elba

Might, Again, However, Haircut

Apparently, Daniel Craig said I'd be a great Bond. Daniel, why did you say that? Dropped me right in it! What an honor it would be, but also, what an indication of change.

- Idris Elba

Change, Honor, Dropped, Daniel

If you go to Africa and you're white, you're probably not going to get that much work either. But the fact is that there is a longer history of black integration in the U.S. I don't have any resentment about this: I did the maths, calculated it against my ambition and decided to leave England.

- Idris Elba

Fact, Against, Maths, Integration

I don't have a place that I call home at the moment because there's no point. I mean, I'm a traveling circus for a while. It's weird. Like, if I wanted to go home, there's nowhere to go. I just go to a hotel. But I've kind of gotten used to it.

- Idris Elba

Used, Gotten, While, No Point

What really excites me in a project is when it goes in a way you haven't been before.

- Idris Elba

Goes, Been, Before, Excites

As an actor, you're trained to do the right thing, be politically correct, say your lines, say the right thing about the people you're working with.

- Idris Elba

About, Politically Correct, Lines

I lived in America for a long time before I started working as an actor. Some actors show up on set and have never done an American accent before, so they rely on a slew of technical mechanisms. Part of what makes an accent is understanding why people speak that way - you have to understand the culture.

- Idris Elba

Some, Before, Technical, Accent

I'd rather a young black actor read about success as opposed to how tough it was. I get these roles because I can act and that's it. Hopefully that's it.

- Idris Elba

Rather, Opposed, Read, Hopefully

I love bikes. I used to own one, but I fell off it when I was younger and that was the end of my bike riding days until now.

- Idris Elba

Love, Own, Younger, Bikes

The adrenaline feeling of jumping out of cliffs and bikes and all of that is very specific to the film. In 'Pac Rim' I'm not doing that so much. There isn't that touch stonework for me in it, but there is a lot of action.

- Idris Elba

Doing, Very, Cliffs, Bikes

I don't get recognised that much yet in London, but when I do I get a real sense of achievement.

- Idris Elba

Achievement, London, Sense, Recognised

I was always a real athletic kid. Then when I got older, I just figured it was part of life to keep training.

- Idris Elba

Kid, Always, Part, Athletic

It's weird because my parents don't really understand my business. I get fan mail all day long, but if a piece happens to get to their house, they're like, 'Oh, my God, you've got a fan! You have to write them back. You have to do it!'

- Idris Elba

House, Back, Mail, Fan Mail

I would never be fearful of any character.

- Idris Elba

Character, Never, Would, Fearful

White actors still get way more money in Hollywood. It's been that way for a very long time. I hope it'll change, but it's a matter of forcing that change.

- Idris Elba

Been, Very, Still, Forcing

If I was gonna go to jail, I don't want to go to jail for stealing a bottle of water. I'll steal that $20 million. At least then it was worth it.

- Idris Elba

Want, Steal, Gonna, Million

The English are good at bad guys - the James Bond-style villain, cunning, slow-burning. The Americans are much more obvious about it.

- Idris Elba

Villain, Bad, Cunning, Bad Guys

You know, film is the ultimate goal in an actor's career. I mean, I still love TV. I have my feet firmly stamped in it. But my opportunities have been bigger and better.

- Idris Elba

Love, Feet, Firmly, Stamped

I was into Spider Man when I was a kid and that was the only comic I've ever read.

- Idris Elba

Kid, Ever, Read, Comic

It could be Grammy night, Oscar night, whatever - I don't feel the pressure to be there.

- Idris Elba

Night, Could, Oscar, Grammy

I still sing on bits and pieces. Singing's something that I love to do, but it's not something that I pursue as a career.

- Idris Elba

Love, Career, Still, Bits And Pieces

Now there are certain things you have to prepare - like dialect and special skills. But in the moment, interaction between two characters on the page doesn't need - for me, I don't need to prepare that.

- Idris Elba

Prepare, Certain Things, Dialect

Are there differences between black actors' opportunities and white actors' opportunities? Yes, there are. It's been said.

- Idris Elba

White, Yes, Been, Opportunities

I have one of these bodies. When I was younger, I could never put weight on, and now that I'm a little older, there's a natural sort of chubbiness coming. But honestly, if I work out for a week, it drops off in no time.

- Idris Elba

Week, No Time, Bodies, Work Out

The only thing I change mainly is my sneakers. I love sneakers. But everything's sort of black or jeans. Jeans, always.

- Idris Elba

Love, Sneakers, Always, Jeans

I'm rebelling against being handed a career, like, 'You're the next this; you're the next that.' I'm not the next anything, I'm the first me. I can't be myself, I can't just be Idris Elba. But that's just the nature of the business.

- Idris Elba

Business, Career, Next, Handed

I'm tactile, very tactile. A woman who has really nice, looked-after skin is such a turn-on for me. It's always sexy.

- Idris Elba

Woman, Always, Very, Tactile

The role of my agent has just been to get me in the room. If I can get in the room - say the character is just a charming man who lives next door - then I'll walk in there and be as charming as I can and they will think to themselves, 'I don't see why we can't cast him.'

- Idris Elba

Door, Next, Agent, Charming

You watch yourself age and it's hard to feel like a sex symbol.

- Idris Elba

Watch, Like, Symbol, Sex Symbol

Every leading lady I work with, I'll see if I can get a song out of them and put it on an album.

- Idris Elba

Work, Song, Leading, Lady

There's the argument that you can relate to someone who's completely unrelatable. In the way that a director shows you his imagination on a film, then I get to show you my imagination in a big dumb character.

- Idris Elba

Big, Director, Argument, Relate

Not obsessed with particularly Nike, but sneakers in general. I love them.

- Idris Elba

Love, General, I Love, Nike

I'm a little sheepish about it. Whenever I meet fans and they're like, 'Oh, you're so sexy,' I just don't get that. There's no way one man can be universally sexy.

- Idris Elba

Sexy, Like, About, Whenever

People expect me to be that guy. But I'm more east London boy than east Baltimore.

- Idris Elba

Baltimore, Expect, East, London

Whether it's music or acting, that creativity all comes from the same source.

- Idris Elba

Music, Same, Whether, Creativity

I tend to stay away from the comics.

- Idris Elba

Stay, Away, Tend, Comics

I've never had to explain 'Prometheus' to people, ever. Most people get it.

- Idris Elba

Never, Most, Ever, Explain

There has been a big debate about it: can a black man play a Nordic character?

- Idris Elba

Play, Big, Been, Debate

If you are going to call a film a 'black film' then you have to make a film that represents everyone that's black, which is almost impossible. That is why white films are not called white films, they are just called 'films.'

- Idris Elba

Going, Which, Films, Represents

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