David Oyelowo

Awards & Honours

Awards Won

Honours

Records

David Oyelowo's career is marked by a remarkable ability to bring historical figures to life with authenticity and power. His portrayal of Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma stands as a defining achievement, earning him critical praise and multiple award nominations. He was the first Black actor to play an English monarch in a Royal Shakespeare Company production, breaking barriers in British theater long before his Hollywood success. His appointment as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2016 recognized his significant contributions to drama and his advocacy for diversity in the industry.

AwardsDavid Oyelowo has received significant recognition for his performances, including a Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Actor for Selma and two NAACP Image Awards. He has been nominated for prestigious honors such as three Golden Globe Awards, two Primetime Emmy Awards, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a BAFTA Award. In 2016, he was honored with the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth II for his contributions to drama.

Honours & Distinctions

Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Queen Elizabeth II·2016

Awarded for services to drama and advocacy for diversity in the arts.

Honorary Degree

Howard University·2015

Recognized for contributions to film and social justice.

Honorary Degree

Morehouse College·2015

Awarded for excellence in the performing arts and humanitarian efforts.

Records & Feats

First Black Actor to Play an English Monarch in RSC Production

Historic First·2000

Became the first Black actor to portray an English monarch in a Royal Shakespeare Company production, playing King Henry VI in 2000.