Chukwudi Iwuji

Born on October 15, 1975, in Nigeria, Chukwudi Iwuji grew up in a diplomatic family with four siblings. When he was ten, his family relocated to Ethiopia before eventually settling in England. At twelve, Iwuji attended Caterham, a private boarding school in Surrey, England, where he made history as the school’s first black prefect.

Completing his education at Caterham in 1993, Chukwudi pursued higher education in the United States, enrolling at Yale University where he graduated in 1997 with a degree in economics. During his early years, he furthered his theatrical education at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s professional theater training program, earning a Master of Fine Arts in drama.

Chukwudi Iwuji’s career took a significant turn after he returned to England, where, starting in 2001, he frequently took to the stage with the Royal Shakespeare Company. He starred in several of their productions, notably playing the title roles in the “Henry VI” trilogy, earning an Olivier Award for his performance. Additionally, Iwuji portrayed Fenton in “The Merry Wives of Windsor” and Aufidius in the Shakespearean tragedy “Coriolanus.”

Iwuji made his television debut in 2005, appearing in four episodes of the Irish series “Proof,” and also featured in an episode of the British series “Casualty” that year. Despite these roles being minor and not very prominent, Iwuji remained deeply engaged in theater work.

Beyond the Royal Shakespeare Company, Iwuji collaborated with numerous other prestigious theaters. He performed at the Royal National Theatre, the National Theatre of Ireland, Donmar Warehouse, and the Old Vic Theatre. After relocating permanently to the United States, he continued his stage career at venues such as the Delacorte Theater and on Broadway.

Iwuji’s first major film role came in 2009 with the thriller “Exam.” He subsequently became a fixture on various television shows. In 2011, he guest-starred in two episodes of the beloved sci-fi series “Doctor Who.” Over the following five years, he appeared in episodes of “Wizards vs Aliens,” “Madam Secretary,” and “Blindspot.”

In 2017, Iwuji was featured in “John Wick: Chapter 2,” alongside Keanu Reeves. The following year, he played a significant role in 18 episodes of the legal drama “The Split” with Nicola Walker, Fiona Button, and Annabel Scholey. Also in 2018, Iwuji joined the cast of “King Lear,” portraying the King of France alongside notable actors such as Anthony Hopkins, Florence Pugh, Tobias Menzies, and Jim Broadbent.

In 2019, Iwuji appeared as a lawyer in two episodes of the dramatic miniseries “When They See Us.” However, his career reached a new peak in 2022 when he was cast in a leading role in the series “Peacemaker.” Iwuji creatively developed his own character’s backstory for the series, as his character was not present in the original comics that inspired the show.

In the rare instances when Chukwudi Iwuji shares details about his private life, he typically steers clear of personal topics. His spouse, Angela Travino, is involved in the arts as a theater actress, dancer, and singer. The pair started their relationship in 2015, decided to engage in 2018, and exchanged vows in 2020. Angela’s precise age remains undisclosed, although she is known to be younger than Iwuji. Both are deeply committed to their professional pursuits, hence starting a family is not their immediate concern.

Chukwudi Iwuji remains a dynamic figure in the entertainment industry, engaging in several new ventures. His latest notable appearance was in the 2023 release of the superhero blockbuster “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.” In this installment, Iwuji portrays the significant role of the antagonist, the High Evolutionary. During the production, he collaborated with well-known actors such as Chris Pratt, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Dave Bautista, and Will Poulter.