Riz Ahmed is a British actor, rapper, and activist renowned for his compelling performances in both independent and blockbuster films. Born on December 1, 1982, in Wembley, London, to Pakistani immigrant parents, Ahmed has carved a unique path in the entertainment industry, seamlessly blending his artistic pursuits with social activism. He gained widespread recognition for his roles in films like “Nightcrawler” (2014), “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” (2016), and “Sound of Metal” (2019), the latter earning him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, making him the first Muslim actor to achieve this honor. Beyond acting, Ahmed is also a celebrated rapper, performing under the moniker Riz MC, and is a member of the hip-hop group Swet Shop Boys. His music often delves into themes of identity, race, and politics, reflecting his commitment to addressing societal issues through art.
Personal Life
| Original/Real Name | Rizwan Ahmed |
|---|---|
| Other/Nickname | Riz MC |
| Profession/Occupation | Actor, Rapper, Activist |
| Birthplace | Wembley, London, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Age | 42 years (as of 2025) |
| Date of Birth | December 1, 1982 |
| Hometown | Wembley, London, England |
| Caste/Religion | Muslim |
| Zodiac sign/Sun sign | Sagittarius |
| Current career status | Active |
Physical Appearance
| Height (Centimeters) | 172 cm (5’8″) |
|---|---|
| Weight (Kilograms) | Approximately 70 kg |
| Body Measurements | Not publicly disclosed |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
Family Relatives & Siblings
| Parents | |
|---|---|
| Father’s name | Not publicly disclosed |
| Mother’s name | Not publicly disclosed |
| Brother’s name | Not publicly disclosed |
| Sister’s name | Not publicly disclosed |
Marital Status Affairs Boyfriends Kids & Relationship
| Boyfriend | N/A |
|---|---|
| Dating | N/A |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse/Wife | Fatima Farheen Mirza (m. 2020) |
| Son | N/A |
| Daughter | N/A |
Education Qualification and Schooling/College
| School | Merchant Taylors’ School, Northwood |
|---|---|
| College/University | Christ Church, Oxford University; Royal Central School of Speech and Drama |
| Educational Qualification | Degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE); Acting Training |
Controversies
Ahmed has been vocal about issues of racial profiling and representation in the media. He has shared personal experiences of being detained at airports and has criticized the stereotypical portrayal of Muslims in Hollywood. In 2021, he launched an initiative to combat the industry’s “toxic portrayals” of Muslims.
Favorite Things and Likes & Dislikes
| Favorite Food | Not publicly disclosed |
|---|---|
| Favorite Movie | Not publicly disclosed |
| Favorite Actor | Not publicly disclosed |
| Favorite Actress | Not publicly disclosed |
| Favorite Color | Not publicly disclosed |
| Favorite Designer | Not publicly disclosed |
| Favorite Destination | Not publicly disclosed |
| Favorite Cafe | Not publicly disclosed |
| Favorite Daily Wear Brand | Not publicly disclosed |
| Favorite Book | Not publicly disclosed |
| Favorite Athlete | Not publicly disclosed |
Money/Net Worth
| Salary | Not publicly disclosed |
|---|---|
| Net Worth | Estimated at $10 million |
Contact Information
| Official Website | Not publicly disclosed |
|---|---|
| E-Mail Address | Not publicly disclosed |
| Phone Number | Not publicly disclosed |
| House Address | Not publicly disclosed |
Social Media
| Wikipedia | Riz Ahmed |
|---|---|
| @rizwanahmed | |
| Riz Ahmed | |
| @rizahmed |
Personal quote:
“You’ve got to try and worry about something bigger than yourself.”
Early Life and Career:
Riz Ahmed was born into a British-Pakistani family in Wembley, London. His parents moved to the UK from Karachi, Pakistan, in the 1970s. He attended the prestigious Merchant Taylors’ School on a scholarship and later pursued a degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at Oxford University. During his time at Oxford, Ahmed experienced a cultural disconnect, which he addressed by organizing events that celebrated diverse cultures. Following his passion for acting, he trained at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.
Facts: Here’s some interesting lesser known facts about Riz Ahmed
- Riz Ahmed is the first Muslim and first South Asian male to win a Primetime Emmy Award for acting, which he earned for his role in HBO’s The Night Of.
- He became the first Muslim nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for his powerful performance in Sound of Metal (2020).
- Before acting, Riz pursued music and continues to perform under the name Riz MC, often addressing social and political issues through his lyrics.
- He is part of the hip-hop duo Swet Shop Boys with American rapper Heems, blending South Asian musical influences with hip-hop.
- Riz has spoken at the UK Parliament and the British Film Institute about racial profiling and the lack of representation of minorities in media.
- His short film The Long Goodbye, which explores themes of racism and identity, won the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film in 2022.
- He was awarded British Independent Film Award and Independent Spirit Award for his transformative roles.
- Riz’s wife, Fatima Farheen Mirza, is an acclaimed novelist known for her bestselling debut novel A Place for Us.
- He is known to keep his personal life private and only revealed his marriage during a podcast appearance after the wedding had already happened.
- Riz is also a trained classical actor and took speech and movement classes at Central School of Speech and Drama to hone his skills.
- He’s an ambassador for the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), working to raise awareness about the refugee crisis.
- Despite his fame, Riz remains grounded and actively supports emerging South Asian talent in film and music.
