Adeel Akhtar is a British actor known for his work in film, television and theater. Born on September 18, 1980, in London, Akhtar grew up in a Pakistani Muslim family and attended the University of Leeds, where he studied architecture.
Akhtar began his career in the performing arts in the early 2000s, appearing in several television shows and short films. He gained critical acclaim for his performance in the 2011 comedy-drama film ‘Four Lions,’ in which he played an aspiring terrorist.
However, it was his appearance in a series of television commercials that brought him to widespread public attention. In these advertisements, Akhtar starred as a hapless employee of a mobile phone company, often finding himself in awkward and humorous situations. His portrayal of the bumbling and lovable character made him a beloved figure in the UK advertising industry.
Apart from commercials, Akhtar has been featured in numerous television shows and movies. He played the role of Wilson Wilson in the 2010 science fiction series ‘Utopia’ and received critical acclaim for his performance as Usman in the 2017 film ‘The Big Sick.’ He has also appeared in several episodes of the hit television series ‘Doctor Who.’
Akhtar's work in theater includes performances in productions of ‘Hamlet’, ‘Macbeth’ and ‘The Nightingales.’ In recognition of his contribution to the performing arts, he was awarded the Best Supporting Actor Bafta for his work in ‘Murdered by My Father.’
In his personal life, Akhtar is a devoted family man and is known to have a great sense of humor. Despite his success in the industry, he remains humble and grounded, and is known to have a positive and open-minded attitude towards his craft.