12 The Best Man
In the movie 'The Best Man', David Oyelowo played the character of Graham.
11 Red Tails
David Oyelowo played the role of Joe "Lightning" Little in the 2012 film "Red Tails." In this historical drama, he portrayed one of the African American Tuskegee Airmen, a group of talented pilots who overcame racial discrimination to become heroes during World War II.
10 Gringo
David Oyelowo portrayed the character of Harold Soyinka in the 2018 film 'Gringo'. Harold is a mild-mannered and naive Nigerian immigrant who works for a pharmaceutical company. His character undergoes a dramatic transformation as he becomes embroiled in a dangerous world of drug cartels and corporate greed during a business trip to Mexico.
9 A United Kingdom
In the film 'A United Kingdom', David Oyelowo portrayed the real-life character of Seretse Khama, the Prince of Bechuanaland (now Botswana), who falls in love with and marries a white British woman, Ruth Williams, played by Rosamund Pike.
8 Jack Reacher
In the movie 'Jack Reacher', David Oyelowo plays the character of Pittsburgh Police Detective Calvin Emerson.
7 A Most Violent Year
In the 2014 drama 'A Most Violent Year', David Oyelowo played the character of Lawrence.
6 The Butler
In the 2013 film 'The Butler', David Oyelowo portrayed Louis Gaines, the eldest son of Cecil Gaines, played by Forest Whitaker. Louis is a civil rights activist who becomes involved in the struggle for racial equality during the 1960s and 1970s, which puts him at odds with his father's role as a White House butler serving multiple presidents.
5 Lincoln
In the movie 'Lincoln', David Oyelowo portrayed the character of Corporal Ira Clark of Union Army.
4 Queen of Katwe
In the film 'Queen of Katwe', David Oyelowo portrayed Robert Katende, a real-life Ugandan chess coach. His character is instrumental in discovering and nurturing the talent of Phiona Mutesi, a young girl from the impoverished Katwe slum in Kampala, Uganda, played by Madina Nalwanga.
3 Selma
In the historical drama film 'Selma', David Oyelowo portrayed the iconic civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The film chronicles the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches, a pivotal moment in the American civil rights movement.
2 Rise of the Planet of the Apes
In the movie 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes', David Oyelowo plays Steven Jacobs, Supervisor of Dr. William Rodman (played by James Franco) at Gen-Sys.
1 The Last King of Scotland
David Oyelowo had a supporting role in the film 'The Last King of Scotland'. He played the character of Dr. Junju, a Ugandan physician who works alongside the main character, Nicholas Garrigan, portrayed by James McAvoy. The film primarily focuses on the fictional relationship between Garrigan, a Scottish doctor, and the real-life historical figure, Idi Amin, brilliantly portrayed by Forest Whitaker. Oyelowo's character, Dr. Junju, represents the local perspective and serves as a moral compass in the face of Amin's brutal regime.
