Years active 1989–present Height 1.80 m Role Actor | Name Ahmed Best Website www.ahmedbest.com Siblings Khalid Best | |
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Born August 19, 1973 (age 50) ( 1973-08-19 ) New York City, New York, U.S. Occupation Actor, voice actor, screenwriter, director, producer, musician Parents Ahmondylla Best, Adrian Best Movies Star Wars Episode I: The Phan, Star Wars Episode II: Attack of t, Star Wars Episode III: Revenge, Robot Chicken: Star Wars, 2001 Maniacs: Beverly H Similar People Ian McDiarmid, Jake Lloyd, Frank Oz, Kenny Baker, Ray Park | ||
Exclusive interview with ahmed best
Ahmed Best (born August 19, 1973) is an American actor, voice actor, and musician. He gained recognition in the 2000s for providing motion capture and voice of the character of Jar Jar Binks in the Star Wars franchise. He also created, wrote, directed and produced his own TV show, which he titled This Can't Be My Life.
Contents
Best likewise collaborated with director George Lucas in three films and five episodes of the cartoon show, Star Wars: The Clone Wars. He won the Annie Award for Voice Acting in an Animated Television Production for lampooning Jar Jar Binks in Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode II.
Early life
Ahmed Best was born on August 19, 1973, in New York City. He lived the majority of his formative years in the Soundview section of the Bronx. He moved to Maplewood, New Jersey, in 1984. He attended Columbia High School and graduated from there in 1991. He then studied percussion at the Manhattan School of Music.
Career
In 1994, Ahmed joined the acid jazz group The Jazzhole. He contributed to the success of the group for two years. He co-wrote and co-produced three albums for the group including The Jazzhole, And the Feeling Goes Around and The Beat is the Bomb. In 1995, he co-wrote and co-produced Escape by Bill Evans.
In 1995, he joined the cast of the Obie Award winning cast of Stomp. He toured with the cast of Stomp throughout the US and Europe.
In 1997, after casting director Robin Gurland had observed his flexible, athletic movements in Stomp, Ahmed was cast as Jar Jar Binks in the Star Wars prequel trilogy (1999–2005). He reprised the role on the Star Wars themed episode of Robot Chicken (as well as its sequel), Star Wars: The Clone Wars and on an episode of Stephen Colbert's The Colbert Report. Unfortunately for Best, Binks drew hostility from moviegoers. Much to his subsequent credit, Best also appeared with fellow Star Wars alumni Dee Bradley Baker, James Arnold Taylor and Daran Norris on the TV show Big Time Rush.
Filmography
Actor
-
Star Wars: Detours (TV Series) (post-production) as
Jar Jar Binks (2012) (voice)
-
Karen (Short) (completed) as
William
2023
The Mandalorian (TV Series) as
Kelleran Beq
- Chapter 20: The Foundling (2023) - Kelleran Beq
2022
Alabama Jackson (TV Series) as
Nelson Mandela
- Alabama Jackson Saves Nelson Mandela (2022) - Nelson Mandela
2021
Sidetracked (TV Series) as
Jason
- Doughnut Sociology - Jason
2020
Robot Chicken (TV Series short) as
Finn / Mr. Marion Moseby / Clutch / ...
- May Cause Lucid Murder Dreams (2021) - Finn / Mr. Marion Moseby (voice)
- May Cause Random Wolf Attacks (2021) - Finn / Clutch / Gun Shop Owner (voice)
- Ghandi Mulholland in: Plastic Doesn't Get Cancer (2020) - Fairies Don't Exist Boy / Pigeon #1 / Yami Yugi / - (voice)
2020
Popup Dungeon (Video Game) as
Maceson / Traffic Jam / DJ Dizzy Bear (voice)
2020
Star Wars: Jedi Temple Challenge (TV Series) as
Jedi Master Kelleran Beq
- Episode #1.10 (2020) - Jedi Master Kelleran Beq
- Episode #1.9 (2020) - Jedi Master Kelleran Beq
- Episode #1.8 (2020) - Jedi Master Kelleran Beq
- Episode #1.7 (2020) - Jedi Master Kelleran Beq
- Episode #1.6 (2020) - Jedi Master Kelleran Beq
- Episode #1.5 (2020) - Jedi Master Kelleran Beq
- Episode #1.4 (2020) - Jedi Master Kelleran Beq
- Episode #1.3 (2020) - Jedi Master Kelleran Beq
- Episode #1.2 (2020) - Jedi Master Kelleran Beq
- Episode #1.1 (2020) - Jedi Master Kelleran Beq
2020
The Last of Us: Part II (Video Game) as
Additional Voices (voice)
2020
Overshare (Short) as
Kissing Man
2020
Party Time (Short) as
Weber
2018
Fallout 76 (Video Game) as
Carver Timmerman - Wastelanders DLC / James Addison - Wastelanders DLC / Jide - Wastelanders DLC (voice)
2017
Career Suicide: Arthur's Edge (Short) as
Ahmed
2016
Send Me: An Original Web Series (TV Series) as
Dexter
- Interview Ten (2016) - Dexter
2016
One & Done (TV Series) as
Tariq Greenberg
- Temple Four (2016) - Tariq Greenberg
2015
Suspense (TV Series) as
Lucius Crane
- Nyarlathotep (2015) - Lucius Crane
2015
Disney Infinity 3.0 (Video Game) as
Jar Jar Binks (voice)
2015
Eff'd (TV Movie) as
Flash
2015
The Pilot Fish's Tale (Short) as
Firebird
2014
This Is Why You're Single (TV Movie) as
Lamorne
2014
JFH: Justice for Hire - Retribution Task Force (Short) as
Otto
2008
Star Wars: The Clone Wars (TV Series) as
Jar Jar Binks / Clan Member / Dagoyan Master / ...
- The Disappeared: Part 1 (2014) - Jar Jar Binks / Clan Member / Dagoyan Master (voice)
- The Disappeared: Part 2 (2014) - Jar Jar Binks / Clan Member / Dagoyan Master (voice)
- Shadow Warrior (2011) - Jar Jar Binks / Boss Lyonie (voice)
- Prisoners (2011) - Jar Jar Binks (voice)
- Gungan Attack (2011) - Jar Jar Binks / Boss Lyonie / Prisoner #2 (voice)
- Supply Lines (2010) - Jar Jar / Defense Minister (voice)
- Bombad Jedi (2008) - Jar Jar Binks (voice)
2013
JFH: Justice-for-Hire (Short) as
Original Ebony, Original Ivory, Julian Johnstone (Voice) (voice)
2013
W.M.D. as
News Reporter
2012
Lego Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out (TV Movie) as
Jar Jar Binks (voice)
2009
Big Time Rush (TV Series) as
Marketer / Rob
- Big Time Merchandise (2012) - Rob
- Big Time Blogger (2010) - Marketer
- Big Time Audition (2009) - Marketer (uncredited)
2012
JFH: Justice-For-Hire - The Motion Comic Animation (Video short) as
Original Ebony, Original Ivory, Julian Johnstone (voice)
2012
FDR: American Badass! as
Curtis
2011
Easy to Assemble (TV Series) as
Wayne Murphy
- You're Never Alone (2011) - Wayne Murphy
- Mrs. Hullestaad (2011) - Wayne Murphy
- 48 Hours of Daylight (2011) - Wayne Murphy
- Finding North (2011) - Wayne Murphy
2011
Zeke and Luther (TV Series) as
Sal Sackelson
- Bro'd Trip (2011) - Sal Sackelson
2011
Poolboy: Drowning Out the Fury as
Sidney Moncrief
2011
In the Flow with Affion Crockett (TV Series) as
Black Jock
2011
Law & Order: LA (TV Series) as
Dell Gregory
- Runyon Canyon (2011) - Dell Gregory
2011
Some Guy Who Kills People as
Mayor Mawell
2010
The Pink House (TV Movie) as
Actor Judge
2010
The Untitled Bob Marley Project (Short) as
Wailer
2010
Robot Chicken: Star Wars III (TV Movie) as
Jar Jar Binks / Carl the Stormtrooper (voice)
2010
Clone Wars Adventures (Video Game) as
Jar Jar Binks (voice)
2010
Aluna: The Motion Comic Animation (Video short) as
Nagaric
2010
2001 Maniacs: Field of Screams as
Crow
2009
Cougar Town (TV Series) as
Dwayne
- Mystery Man (2009) - Dwayne
2009
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 (Video Game) as
Cloak (voice)
2009
Mother and Child as
Julian
2009
Ready 2 Rumble Revolution (Video Game)
2009
Star-ving (TV Series) as
Black Network Executive
- Just One Drink (2009) - Black Network Executive
2008
Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode II (TV Short) as
Jar Jar Binks / Carl the Stormtrooper (voice)
2008
This Can't Be My Life (TV Series) as
Ahmed
- The Pink Pages (2008) - Ahmed
2007
Charlie's Bitch Ass Hos (Short) as
Makeafoolofme West
2007
Robot Chicken: Star Wars (TV Movie) as
Jar Jar Binks / AT-AT Driver (voice)
2006
Scarface: The World Is Yours (Video Game)(voice)
2006
Reservoir Dogs (Video Game)(voice)
2006
Open Window as
Rufus
2005
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith as
Jar Jar Binks
2005
Escorched (Short) as
Richard Prentiss
2004
Kangaroo Jack: G'Day, U.S.A.! as
Louis Booker (voice)
2003
There's a Sucker Born Every Minute (Short) as
Nathan
2003
Alias (TV Series) as
Seth
- A Free Agent (2003) - Seth (as Ahmed A. Best)
2003
The Stockholm Syndrome (Short)
2002
Friendly Criminal (Short)
2002
Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones: Deleted Scenes (Video short) as
Jar Jar Binks
2002
Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones as
Jar Jar Binks / Achk Med-Beq (voice)
2001
Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds (Video Game) as
Jar Jar Binks (voice)
2001
Armitage III: Dual Matrix (Video) as
Mouse (English version, voice, as Ahmed A. Best)
2001
Star Wars: Super Bombad Racing (Video Game) as
Jar Jar Binks (voice)
2000
Star Wars: Early Learning Activity Center (Video Game) as
Jar Jar (voice)
2000
Carried by the Wind: Tsukikage Ran (TV Series) as
Additional Voices
- She Hid a Romance in the Past (2000) - Additional Voices (voice)
- I Was So Crucified I Didn't Know What to Do! (2000) - Additional Voices (voice)
- That European Girl Was Huge (2000) - Additional Voices (voice)
- I Counted on an Enemy (2000) - Additional Voices (voice)
- There Was No God in This World (2000) - Additional Voices (voice)
- I Buzzed with Electricity (2000) - Additional Voices (voice)
- Vengeance Made Himself an Enemy (2000) - Additional Voices (voice)
- It Was Pretty Amazing When I Stripped (2000) - Additional Voices (voice)
- I Was a Target Before I Knew It (2000) - Additional Voices (voice)
- Suddenly, I Was a Mother (2000) - Additional Voices (voice)
- Sake Made the Tears Sting (2000) - Additional Voices (voice)
- The Mole Was in the Wrong Place (2000) - Additional Voices (voice)
- She's Tough for a Woman (2000) - Additional Voices (voice)
2000
Star Wars: Episode I - Jedi Power Battles (Video Game) as
Jar Jar Binks (voice)
1999
Star Wars: Episode I - The Gungan Frontier (Video Game) as
Jar Jar Binks (voice)
1999
Star Wars: Jar Jar's Journey (Video Game) as
Jar Jar Binks (voice)
1999
Star Wars: Yoda's Challenge - Activity Center (Video Game) as
Jar Jar Binks (voice)
1999
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (Video Game) as
Jar Jar Binks (voice)
1999
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace as
Jar Jar Binks
1989
Lean on Me as
Extra (uncredited)
Producer
2020
Star Wars: Jedi Temple Challenge (TV Series) (producer - 10 episodes)
- Episode #1.10 (2020) - (producer)
- Episode #1.9 (2020) - (producer)
- Episode #1.8 (2020) - (producer)
- Episode #1.7 (2020) - (producer)
- Episode #1.6 (2020) - (producer)
- Episode #1.5 (2020) - (producer)
- Episode #1.4 (2020) - (producer)
- Episode #1.3 (2020) - (producer)
- Episode #1.2 (2020) - (producer)
- Episode #1.1 (2020) - (producer)
2014
Ghost Light (Short) (producer)
2012
A Cuban Love Story (Short) (executive producer)
-
The DL Chronicles (TV Series) (executive producer - 3 episodes, 2007 - 2012) (co-executive producer - 2 episodes, 2007)
- Thomas (2012) - (executive producer)
- Boo (2007) - (co-executive producer)
- Mark (2007) - (co-executive producer)
- Wes (2007) - (executive producer)
- Robert (2007) - (executive producer)
2012
Worship (Short) (producer)
2012
Path of Honor (Short) (producer)
2008
This Can't Be My Life (TV Series) (co-producer - 1 episode)
- The Pink Pages (2008) - (co-producer)
Director
-
Bandwagon: The Series (TV Series) (1 episode, 2011) (co-director - 6 episodes, 2011)
- You Can Do Anything (2011)
- Namaste, Bitch (2011) - (co-director)
- Shouldn't Have Talked to an Actress (2011) - (co-director)
- We're in a War (2011) - (co-director)
- It's Okay to Have My Own Needs (2011) - (co-director)
- Black Girl Slash Hooker (2011) - (co-director)
- Dreams Don't Buy Dreams (2011) - (co-director)
2009
Susan Boyle's First Kiss (Video short)
2008
This Can't Be My Life (TV Series) (1 episode)
- The Pink Pages (2008)
Writer
2011
Bandwagon: The Series (TV Series) (1 episode)
- Dreams Don't Buy Dreams (2011)
2008
This Can't Be My Life (TV Series) (1 episode)
- The Pink Pages (2008)
Soundtrack
2010
2001 Maniacs: Field of Screams (performer: "The South's Gonna Rise Again", "Rot in Hell", "Hey, Hey, Howdy, Howdy, Hey", "Fun, Games and Feastin'", "Building From the Ground Up")
2002
Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX 2 (Video Game) (writer: "Forward Motion")
Stunts
2018
Choke (Short) (stunt coordinator)
2008
Redbelt (stunts)
Cinematographer
2012
Naked Eye (Short)
Composer
2008
This Can't Be My Life (TV Series)
Editor
2008
This Can't Be My Life (TV Series) (1 episode)
- The Pink Pages (2008)
Music Department
2008
This Can't Be My Life (TV Series) (composer - 1 episode)
- The Pink Pages (2008) - (composer: theme music)
Thanks
2016
These Are the Actors You're Looking For! (TV Series) (special thanks - 1 episode)
- The Infamous Jar Jar Binks (2016) - (special thanks)
Self
-
Fanboy and the Fellowship of the Sabers (Documentary) (post-production) as
Self
2023
Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian (TV Series documentary) as
Self - Kelleran Beq
- The Making of Season 3 (2023) - Self - Kelleran Beq
2017
The Star Wars Show (TV Series short) as
Self / Self - Jar Jar Binks
- The Bad Batch Finale, Ahmed Best Talks Jedi, and More! (2023) - Self
- Ahmed Best and Mary Holland Talk Jedi Temple Challenge, And We Celebrate The Empire Strikes Back! (2020) - Self
- Enjoy Celebration Orlando in Your Pajamas & How ILM Made K-2SO "Think" (2017) - Self - Jar Jar Binks
2023
This Week! in Star Wars (TV Series short) as
Self
- The Bad Batch Finale, Ahmed Best Talks Jedi, and More! (2023) - Self
2020
Hollywood Insider (TV Series) as
Self
- 32 Facts on the Star Wars Saga (2020) - Self
2020
The George Lucas Talk Show (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode XI: Best in Show (2020) - Self
2020
The Actor's Choice (TV Series) as
Self
- Ahmed Best & Debbie Pollack (2020) - Self
2020
Star Wars: Jedi Temple Challenge (TV Series) as
Jedi Master Kelleran Beq (2020)
2019
The Empire Strikes Door (Documentary short) as
Self - Jury
2014
From the Mouths of Babes (TV Series documentary) as
Self
- "Sidetracked" on Self (2019) - Self
- "Sidetracked" on Love (2019) - Self
- "Sidetracked" on Life (2019) - Self
- Sci Fi on Life (2014) - Self
- Sci Fi on Love (2014) - Self
- Sci Fi on Self (2014) - Self
2019
Never Not Funny (Podcast Series) as
Self
- Pardcast-a-Thon 2019 (2019) - Self
2017
The Night Time Show (Podcast Series) as
Self - Guest
- #58: Ahmed Best- Star Wars (Jar Jar Binks), Stomp, Afrofuturist (2017) - Self - Guest
- #43: Ahmed Best- Star Wars, Stomp (2017) - Self - Guest
2016
These Are the Actors You're Looking For! (TV Series) as
Self
- The Infamous Jar Jar Binks (2016) - Self
2012
Red Carpet Report (TV Series short) as
Self
- 39th Annual Annie Awards (2012) - Self
2010
2001 Maniacs: Behind the Screams (Video documentary short) as
Self
2009
Black to the Future (TV Series) as
Self
2006
The Colbert Report (TV Series) as
Jar Jar Binks
- George Lucas (2006) - Jar Jar Binks (voice, uncredited)
2002
Star Wars: Attack of the Clones - A Jigsaw Puzzle (Documentary short) as
Self
2001
The Beginning: Making 'Episode I' (Video documentary) as
Self
2001
R2-D2: Beneath the Dome (TV Short) as
Self (uncredited)
1998
The Phantom Menace: Web Documentaries (TV Mini Series documentary short) as
Self
- Bad Droid Karma (1999) - Self (uncredited)
- 3000 Anakins (1999) - Self (uncredited)
- Assistant Directors (1998) - Self (uncredited)
1999
Omnibus (TV Series documentary) as
Self - Jar Jar Binks
- A Long Time Ago- The Story of Star Wars (1999) - Self - Jar Jar Binks (uncredited)
1999
From Star Wars to Star Wars: The Story of Industrial Light & Magic (TV Movie documentary) as
Self
Archive Footage
-
Star Wars: The Idiotic Clone Trooper: The Movie (filming) as
Jar Jar Binks
-
I'm 'George Lucas': A Connor Ratliff Story (Documentary) (completed) as
Self
2022
Star Wars Adventures: Raiders of the Lost Gundark: Comic Dub (Short) as
Jar Jar Binks
2022
Icons Unearthed (TV Series documentary) as
Self
- Icons Unearthed: Star Wars - The Phantom Menace (2022) - Self
2022
Vortex (Short) as
Self
2016
Jeffy Kills Jar Jar Binks (Short) as
Jar Jar Binks
2009
The Phantom Menace Review (Video) as
Jar Jar Binks
2008
5 Second Movies (TV Series short) as
Jar-Jar Binks
- Star Wars: Episode I (2008) - Jar-Jar Binks
2007
Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga (Video Game) as
Jar-Jar Binks (uncredited)
2006
Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy (Video Game) as
Jar-Jar Binks (uncredited)
2005
Science of Star Wars (TV Mini Series documentary)
- War, Weapons and the Force (2005)
- Space Cowboys (2005)
- Man and Machines (2005)
2005
Lego Star Wars: The Video Game (Video Game) as
Jar-Jar Binks (uncredited)
References
Ahmed Best Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA