Biographie

Kaluuya was given the lead role in Get Out (2017) on the spot after nailing his audition. Writer/director Jordan Peele said Kaluuya did about five takes of a key scene, in which his character needs to cry, and each was so perfect that the single tear came down at the exact same time for each take. Peele told him he had the role right then, but Kaluuya later joked that since he was wary of people in Hollywood, he didn't quite believe it yet.

While still at school he was recruited as a contributor writer and actor for the critically acclaimed UK teen drama series Skins (2007). Before long, and while still in his teens, he was writing full hour-long episodes for the show, making him one of the youngest people ever to write an episode of primetime drama.

At age 32, he's the youngest black actor to have received two Oscar nominations.

As of 2021, he has been in 3 films that were Oscar nominated for Best Picture: Get Out (2017), Panthère Noire (2018), and Judas and the Black Messiah (2021).

When he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in Judas and the Black Messiah (2021), he became the first black British actor to win the Oscar (Los Angeles / 25 April 2021).

When work ends, I'd rather just be seen as Daniel - normal.

If I was at school and one of my friends said something funny, I'd write it down in a notebook and take it to the writers meetings. I never told my friends about it. I just thought I could incorporate stuff that was true to life.

Racism is like a horror movie. Black kids die because of racism. I don't know what's more horrifying than that.

Writing can be really lonely, and I find that bit difficult. I'd rather be around my people, getting ideas.

I go to music festivals, and people want to talk to me about racism. I'm like, 'Bro, I'm trying to have fun!'