Ahmed Best
Ahmed A. Best (born August 19, 1973 in New York City , NY ) is an American voice actor , actor and musician . Ahmed Best became known through the Star Wars series, in which he lent the computer-generated character Jar Jar Binks his movements and (in the English-language original) his voice.
Life
Best spent most of his childhood in the Soundview neighborhood in New York City's Bronx . In 1984 his family moved to Maplewood , New Jersey , where Ahmed Best attended Columbia High School , graduating in 1991. Then Best went to the important Manhattan School of Music , where he studied percussion in the Jazz and Contemporary music department . After graduating in 1994, he became a member of the acid jazz band "the Jazzhole" . After two years, during which he was involved in three recordings of the group as co- composer and co- producer , Ahmed Best left the band and became a member of the percussion group Stomp , with which he toured in Europe and the USA. In 1995 Best was also involved in Bill Evans' album "Escape" , which was released in 1996. Then Best was a member of David Fiuczynski's band project Black Cherry Acid Lab , which combined punk , funk and rap elements . He also brought him to the Screaming Headless Torsos as a vocalist .
In 1997, Ahmed Best became voice actor for the all-computer-generated character Jar Jar Binks in the three new Star Wars films. He was previously "discovered" by Star Wars director George Lucas at a screening of Stomp. For his speaking role in Star Wars Best 2000 received the negative award Golden Raspberry (Razzie Award) as worst supporting actor.
Filmography (selection)
as speaker:
- 2002: Armitage III - Dual Matrix
- 2004: Kangaroo Jack : G'Day USA!
- 2007: Robot Chicken : Star Wars (TV movie)
- 2008: Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode II (TV movie)
- 2008, 2010, 2011, 2014: Star Wars: The Clone Wars (TV series, seven episodes)
- 2015: Disney Infinity 3.0 (video game, voice actor for Jar Jar Binks)
as an actor:
- 1999: Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
- 2002: Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones
- 2002: Friendly Criminal
- 2003: The Stockholm Syndrome
- 2003: Alias - The Agent (TV series, an episode)
- 2003: There's a Sucker Born Every Minute
- 2005: Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith
- 2005: Escorched
- 2006: Open Window
- 2008: This Can't Be My Life: Episode One - The Pink Pages (TV movie)
- 2009: Mother and Child (Mother and Child)
- 2010: 2001 Maniacs 2 - It's Done (2001 Maniacs: Field of Screams)
Discography
As co- composer and co- producer :
- The Jazzhole: "The Jazzhole" , "... and the feeling goes round" and "the beat is the bomb" (1994–1995)
- Bill Evans : "Escape" (1995/96)
As a singer or rapper:
- David Fiuczynski : Black Cherry Acid Lab (2002), recorded between 1996 and 1998
Awards
-
Golden Raspberry ( Razzie Award ):
- 2000 Golden Raspberry as worst supporting actor for Jar Jar Binks in the movie Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999, OT: Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace)
- 2000 nomination for worst newcomer of the decade (1990s) for the same role
- 2009 Annie Award : "Best Voice Acting in an Animated Television Production or Short Form" for Robot Chicken : Star Wars Episode II (2008) (TV)
Web links
- Ahmed Best's own homepage
- Ahmed Best in the Internet Movie Database (English)
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Best, Ahmed |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Best, Ahmed A. |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American voice actor, actor, and musician |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 19th August 1973 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | New York City |