Dev Patel Bio
Dev Patel (born 23 April 1990) is a British actor and filmmaker known for his roles in critically acclaimed films such as Slumdog Millionaire and Lion. He has received significant accolades including a BAFTA Award and nominations for an Academy Award. Beginning his career in the E4 series Skins, Patel quickly rose to prominence, showcasing his talent in various genres. With a blend of charisma and dramatic skill, he remains a prominent figure in contemporary cinema.
Early Life and Background
Dev Patel was born on 23 April 1990 in Harrow, London, England, to Indian parents, Anita Patel, a care worker, and Raju Patel, an IT consultant. His parents are of Gujarati descent and immigrated to the United Kingdom from Nairobi, Kenya, where they were born. Patel was raised in the Hindu faith and speaks some Gujarati. He grew up in the Rayners Lane district of Harrow and attended Longfield Primary School and Whitmore High School. As a child, he was drawn to action movies and had his first acting role as Sir Andrew Aguecheek in his school’s production of Twelfth Night. His drama teacher recognized his talent early on, awarding him full marks for his GCSE performance.
Patel’s energetic nature led him to train in Taekwondo, where he competed in national and international championships, earning a bronze medal at the 2004 AIMAA World Championships. He completed his A Levels in Physical Education, Biology, History, and Drama in 2007 while working on Skins.
Path to Hollywood
Patel’s professional acting career began in 2006 when he auditioned for the E4 teen drama series Skins. His mother discovered the casting call, and despite having a science exam the next day, she took him to the audition. After two auditions, he was cast in the role of Anwar Kharral, a British Pakistani Muslim teenager. The character was developed specifically for him, and he quickly adapted to the role, earning acclaim for his performance.
The first series of Skins aired in January 2007 and won the Rose d’Or for Drama in 2008. Patel reprised his role in the second series, which aired in February 2008 and won the Philips Audience Award at the 2009 BAFTA Television Awards. His work on Skins set the stage for his breakthrough role in Danny Boyle’s film Slumdog Millionaire.
Dev Patel Career
Early Career (2006–2008)
Dev Patel made his feature film debut in 2008 with Slumdog Millionaire, where he played Jamal Malik, a young man from the slums of Mumbai. The film received widespread acclaim and won multiple Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Patel’s performance earned him several awards, including a British Independent Film Award and a Critics’ Choice Award for Best Young Performer. He was also nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role at the Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Following Slumdog Millionaire, Patel starred in M. Night Shyamalan’s The Last Airbender, which, despite being a commercial success, received negative reviews. However, his performance was noted as one of the film’s positive aspects.
Breakthrough (2008–2010)
Patel’s role in Slumdog Millionaire marked a significant turning point in his career. He received critical acclaim and recognition, leading to further opportunities in film and television. He co-starred in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel in 2012 and its sequel, which were both box office successes. In 2016, he portrayed Saroo Brierley in the biographical drama Lion, a role that earned him a BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role and an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
Notable Works and Milestones
Dev Patel’s signature works include Slumdog Millionaire, Lion, and The Personal History of David Copperfield. His performance in Lion solidified his status as a leading actor in Hollywood, earning him significant accolades and recognition.
Dev Patel Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Dev Patel has received numerous nominations, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Lion and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor for The Personal History of David Copperfield.
Dev Patel Awards Won
Dev Patel has won several prestigious awards, including a BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Lion. His performances have garnered critical acclaim and established him as a prominent figure in the film industry.
Dev Patel Family
Dev Patel’s family includes his parents, Raju and Anita Patel. He has been in a relationship with Australian actress Tilda Cobham-Hervey since 2017. The couple resides in Adelaide, Australia.
Personal Life
Dev Patel began dating his Slumdog Millionaire co-star Freida Pinto in 2009, but they split in 2014 after nearly six years together. He has since been in a relationship with Tilda Cobham-Hervey, whom he met on the set of Hotel Mumbai. The couple moved to Adelaide in 2022 and made their red carpet debut together at the premiere of Patel’s directorial debut, Monkey Man.
