Meet John Boyega, the 'Star Wars' actor who has been at the forefront of London's Black Lives Matter protests

Taylor Borden,Dominic-Madori DavisJun 7, 2020, 20:24 IST

John Boyega is best known for starring in the "Star Wars" franchise reboot.NurPhoto / Contributor / Getty Images

John Boyega is best known for his role in the "Star Wars" franchise reboot.
He is also known for being vocal about the diversity problem in Hollywood.
He recently made headlines for his involvement in the Black Lives Matter protests, which were sparked across the world after George Floyd's death.

John Boyega is arguably best known for being cast as the first black stormtrooper in the 2015 "Star Wars" franchise reboot. Up next, he's set to star in Steve McQueen's new mini-series, "Small Axe."

But acting isn't all Boyega is known for — he's also very outspoken about diversity in Hollywood. In early June, Boyega made headlines for participating in a London protest against police brutality that was sparked by the death of George Floyd.

"Black people: I love you. I appreciate you," Boyega said at the protest. "Today is an important day. We are fighting for our rights. We are fighting for our ability to live in freedom."

Boyega did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment on this story.

Keep reading to learn more about the actor who has become one of Hollywood's leading voices against racism and discrimination.

John Boyega, 27, was born in south London to Nigerian immigrants. His father is a preacher and his mother works with the disabled, according to The New York Times.

Samir Hussein / Contributor / Getty Images

Boyega told the Guardian that he was "a nuisance in class" when he was young, but shone in the local theater. He trained with multiple theater groups while in secondary school.

Jun Sato/WireImage / Getty Images

Boyega told the Guardian that he was "a nuisance in class" when he was young, but shone in the local theater. He trained with multiple theater groups while in secondary school.

His first big break came in 2011 when he was selected from a crowd of 1,500 London kids to star in the comedy-horror movie, "Attack the Block."

John Boyega as Moses in "Attack the Block." Screen Gems

That same year, he was set to star in an HBO TV show loosely based on the life of Mike Tyson. The pilot was not picked up.

NBC / Contributor / Getty Images

He briefly attended the University of Greenwich for film studies and media writing. He left one year later to pursue acting. In 2012, he met JJ Abrams.

Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic / Getty Images

After meeting Abrams, Boyega was cast as Finn in the "Star Wars" franchise, which made him the first black stormtrooper. At the time of his casting, he was 22 years old.

(L-R) Anthony Daniels, John Boyega, Director J.J. Abrams, Daisy Ridley and Oscar Isaac Jun Sato / Contributor / Getty Images

After meeting Abrams, Boyega was cast as Finn in the "Star Wars" franchise, which made him the first black stormtrooper. At the time of his casting, he was 22 years old.

After his casting in the "Star Wars" movies, Boyega dealt with hate messages and criticism from franchise fans.

Christopher Jue / Stringer / Getty Images

Boyega also starred in the 2017 film "Detroit" and has been cast in the upcoming series, "Small Axe."

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In 2016, he won the BAFTA Rising Star Award.

Samir Hussein/WireImage / Getty Images

In 2016, he cofounded a production company called UpperRoom Entertainment Limited.

John Boyega (R) and Scott Eastwood (L) El Pics / Contributor / Getty Images

In 2020, Netflix announced a production deal with UpperRoom Entertainment Limited to develop projects about various African countries.

Adrian Edwards/GC Images / Getty Images

His work is paying off: He is estimated to have a net worth of at least $21 million.

John Lamparski / Contributor / Getty Images

Boyega is known for being outspoken. In a 2019 interview with Hypebeast, he admitted that "The Last Jedi" was "a bit iffy" for him.

Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images for Walt Disney Studios

He has also used his platform to criticize Hollywood's lack of diversity.

Christopher Jue / Stringer / Getty Images

Now, he's on the frontlines of the Black Lives Matter movement and protests in London.

Actor John Boyega speaks to the crowd during a Black Lives Matter protest in Hyde Park on June 3, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

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Meet John Boyega, the 'Star Wars' actor who has been at the forefront of London's Black Lives Matter protests

John Boyega, 27, was born in south London to Nigerian immigrants. His father is a preacher and his mother works with the disabled, according to The New York Times.

Boyega told the Guardian that he was "a nuisance in class" when he was young, but shone in the local theater. He trained with multiple theater groups while in secondary school.

His first big break came in 2011 when he was selected from a crowd of 1,500 London kids to star in the comedy-horror movie, "Attack the Block."

That same year, he was set to star in an HBO TV show loosely based on the life of Mike Tyson. The pilot was not picked up.

He briefly attended the University of Greenwich for film studies and media writing. He left one year later to pursue acting. In 2012, he met JJ Abrams.

After meeting Abrams, Boyega was cast as Finn in the "Star Wars" franchise, which made him the first black stormtrooper. At the time of his casting, he was 22 years old.

After his casting in the "Star Wars" movies, Boyega dealt with hate messages and criticism from franchise fans.

Boyega also starred in the 2017 film "Detroit" and has been cast in the upcoming series, "Small Axe."

In 2016, he won the BAFTA Rising Star Award.

In 2016, he cofounded a production company called UpperRoom Entertainment Limited.

In 2020, Netflix announced a production deal with UpperRoom Entertainment Limited to develop projects about various African countries.

His work is paying off: He is estimated to have a net worth of at least $21 million.

Boyega is known for being outspoken. In a 2019 interview with Hypebeast, he admitted that "The Last Jedi" was "a bit iffy" for him.

He has also used his platform to criticize Hollywood's lack of diversity.

Now, he's on the frontlines of the Black Lives Matter movement and protests in London.