Ahmed Best
Encyclopedia
Ahmed Best is an American voice actor and musician. He has won the Annie Award
for Best Voice Acting in an Animated Television Production. He rose to prominence in the 2000s for providing the voice of Jar Jar Binks
in the Star Wars
franchise. He later turned to television, where he played Jar Jar Binks in the highly successful Robot Chicken
Star Wars Special. He also created, wrote, directed and produced his own TV show called "This Can't Be My Life". He has collaborated with director George Lucas
in 3 films and 2 episodes of the highly popular cartoon show, Star Wars: The Clone Wars
.
Ahmed Best is most famous for his portrayal of the controversial character, Jar Jar Binks
in the Star Wars franchise. Films featuring Best have usually been animated features. He has won the Annie Award
once. He has also won an Obie Award
for his portrayal of Sarge in "Stomp". He is most known for his flexible abilities and his voice, which has won him many parts in cartoons and animated features.
on August 19, 1973. He lived the majority of his formal years in the Soundview section of the Bronx. He moved to Maplewood, New Jersey
in 1984. He attended Columbia High School
. He then
studied percussion at the Manhattan School of Music.
winning cast of Stomp. He toured with the cast of Stomp throughout the US and Europe.
in the Star Wars
prequel trilogy (1999-2005). He was cast after casting director Robin Gurland observed his flexible, athletic movements in the "Stomp".
Best 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.
Best has also appeared with fellow Star Wars alumni Dee Bradley Baker
, James Arnold Taylor
and Darran Norris on the TV show Big Time Rush
.
Annie Award
The Annie Awards have been presented by the Los Angeles, California branch of the International Animated Film Association, ASIFA-Hollywood since 1972...
for Best Voice Acting in an Animated Television Production. He rose to prominence in the 2000s for providing the voice of Jar Jar Binks
Jar Jar Binks
Jar Jar Binks is a fictional character from the Star Wars Saga , and the television series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. His primary role was to provide comic relief, but many reacted negatively to his character...
in the Star Wars
Star Wars
Star Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...
franchise. He later turned to television, where he played Jar Jar Binks in the highly successful Robot Chicken
Robot Chicken
Robot Chicken is an American stop motion animated television series created and executive produced by Seth Green and Matthew Senreich along with co-head writers Douglas Goldstein and Tom Root. Green provides many voices for the show...
Star Wars Special. He also created, wrote, directed and produced his own TV show called "This Can't Be My Life". He has collaborated with director George Lucas
George Lucas
George Walton Lucas, Jr. is an American film producer, screenwriter, and director, and entrepreneur. He is the founder, chairman and chief executive of Lucasfilm. He is best known as the creator of the space opera franchise Star Wars and the archaeologist-adventurer character Indiana Jones...
in 3 films and 2 episodes of the highly popular cartoon show, Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008 TV series)
-Production:At April 2005's Star Wars Celebration III, Lucas stated that "we are working on a 3-D continuation of the pilot series that was on the Cartoon Network; we probably won't start that project for another year." In July 2005, pre-production had begun on the series, according to Steve...
.
Ahmed Best is most famous for his portrayal of the controversial character, Jar Jar Binks
Jar Jar Binks
Jar Jar Binks is a fictional character from the Star Wars Saga , and the television series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. His primary role was to provide comic relief, but many reacted negatively to his character...
in the Star Wars franchise. Films featuring Best have usually been animated features. He has won the Annie Award
Annie Award
The Annie Awards have been presented by the Los Angeles, California branch of the International Animated Film Association, ASIFA-Hollywood since 1972...
once. He has also won an Obie Award
Obie Award
The Obie Awards or Off-Broadway Theater Awards are annual awards given by The Village Voice newspaper to theatre artists and groups in New York City...
for his portrayal of Sarge in "Stomp". He is most known for his flexible abilities and his voice, which has won him many parts in cartoons and animated features.
Early life
Ahmed Best was born in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
on August 19, 1973. He lived the majority of his formal years in the Soundview section of the Bronx. He moved to Maplewood, New Jersey
Maplewood, New Jersey
Maplewood is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 23,867.-History:...
in 1984. He attended Columbia High School
Columbia High School (New Jersey)
Columbia High School is a four-year comprehensive regional public high school located at 17 Parker Avenue in Maplewood, New Jersey, which serves students in grades nine through twelve within the South Orange-Maplewood School District, which includes Maplewood and South Orange Townships...
. He then
studied percussion at the Manhattan School of Music.
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.Theatrical Career
In 1995, he joined the cast of the Obie AwardObie Award
The Obie Awards or Off-Broadway Theater Awards are annual awards given by The Village Voice newspaper to theatre artists and groups in New York City...
winning cast of Stomp. He toured with the cast of Stomp throughout the US and Europe.
Movie Career
In 1997, Ahmed was cast as Jar Jar BinksJar Jar Binks
Jar Jar Binks is a fictional character from the Star Wars Saga , and the television series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. His primary role was to provide comic relief, but many reacted negatively to his character...
in the Star Wars
Star Wars
Star Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...
prequel trilogy (1999-2005). He was cast after casting director Robin Gurland observed his flexible, athletic movements in the "Stomp".
Best reprised the role on the Star Wars themed episode of Robot Chicken
Star Wars (Robot Chicken episode)
Robot Chicken: Star Wars is a 2007 episode of the television comedy series Robot Chicken, airing as a one-off special during Cartoon Network's Adult Swim block on June 17, 2007...
(as well as its sequel), Star Wars The Clone Wars
Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008 TV series)
-Production:At April 2005's Star Wars Celebration III, Lucas stated that "we are working on a 3-D continuation of the pilot series that was on the Cartoon Network; we probably won't start that project for another year." In July 2005, pre-production had begun on the series, according to Steve...
and on an episode of Stephen Colbert's The Colbert Report.
Best has also appeared with fellow Star Wars alumni Dee Bradley Baker
Dee Bradley Baker
Dee Bradley Baker is an American voice actor. He is noted as his long-running-role as Klaus Heissler in American Dad! and other various characters including Squilliam Fancyson in the hit TV series SpongeBob SquarePants, Nightcrawler in X-Men: Legends and Marvel: Ultimate Alliance...
, James Arnold Taylor
James Arnold Taylor
James Arnold Taylor is an American voice actor, Impressionist, and Announcer. He is the current voice provider for Fred Flintstone as well as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the TV series Star Wars: The Clone Wars and also the movie Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Johnny Test in Johnny Test...
and Darran Norris on the TV show Big Time Rush
Big Time Rush
Big Time Rush is a Nickelodeon television series created by Scott Fellows about the Hollywood misadventures of four hockey players from Minnesota—Kendall, Logan, James, and Carlos, after they are selected to form a boy band. The series premiered with an hour-long pilot episode, "Big Time...
.
Discography
| Song | Note |
|---|---|
| "The Jazzhole" | Co-Wrote and Co-Produced |
| "And The Feeling Goes Around" | |
| "The Beat is the Bomb" | |
| "Secret" | |
| "Falling Apart" | |
| "Take Time" | |
| "Mean What You Say" | |
| "Sweet Child" | |
| "I Wonder" | |
| "Is It Worth" | |
| "Dear James" |
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Lean on Me Lean on Me (film) Lean on Me is a 1989 dramatized biographical written by Michael Schiffer, directed by John G. Avildsen and starring Morgan Freeman. Lean on Me is loosely based on the story of Joe Louis Clark, a real life inner city high school principal in Paterson, New Jersey, whose school is at risk of being... |
Extra | |
| 1999 | Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace is a 1999 American epic space opera film written and directed by George Lucas. It is the fourth film to be released in the Star Wars saga, as the first of a three-part prequel to the original Star Wars trilogy, as well as the first film in the saga in terms... |
Jar Jar Binks Jar Jar Binks Jar Jar Binks is a fictional character from the Star Wars Saga , and the television series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. His primary role was to provide comic relief, but many reacted negatively to his character... (voice) |
|
| 2002 | Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones is a 2002 American epic space opera film directed by George Lucas and written by Lucas and Jonathan Hales. It is the fifth film to be released in the Star Wars saga and the second in terms of the series' internal chronology... |
Jar Jar Binks Jar Jar Binks Jar Jar Binks is a fictional character from the Star Wars Saga , and the television series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. His primary role was to provide comic relief, but many reacted negatively to his character... (voice) and Achk Med - Beq |
|
| 2004 | Kangaroo Jack: G'Day U.S.A.! Kangaroo Jack: G'Day U.S.A.! Kangaroo Jack: G'Day U.S.A.! is an animated sequel to 2003's Kangaroo Jack that is directed by Emory Myrick and Jeffrey Gatrall . It was produced by Warner Bros. Animation and sister company Castle Rock Entertainment and was distributed by Warner Bros. and released direct-to-video in 2004... |
Louis Booker (voice) | |
| 2005 | Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith is a 2005 American epic space opera film written and directed by George Lucas. It is the sixth and final film released in the Star Wars saga and the third in terms of the series' internal chronology.... |
Jar Jar Binks Jar Jar Binks Jar Jar Binks is a fictional character from the Star Wars Saga , and the television series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. His primary role was to provide comic relief, but many reacted negatively to his character... (voice) |
|
| 2006 | Open Window | Rufus | |
| 2009 | Mother and Child Mother and Child (film) Mother and Child is an American drama film directed and written by Rodrigo García, and stars Naomi Watts, Annette Bening, Kerry Washington, Shareeka Epps and Samuel L. Jackson. It premiered on September 14, 2009 at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival and at the Sundance Film Festival on... |
Julian | |
| 2010 | The Pink House | Actor Judge | |
| 2001 Maniacs: Field of Screams | Crow | ||
| 2011 | Poolboy: Drowning Out The Fury | Sidney Moncrief | |
| Some Guy Who Kills People | Mayor Maxwell | ||
| FDR: American Badass | Curtis | post - production |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Armitage: Dual Matrix | Mouse (voice) | English version |
| 2003 | Alias Alias (TV series) Alias is an American action television series created by J. J. Abrams which was broadcast on ABC for five seasons, from September 30, 2001 to May 22, 2006... |
Seth | Episode: A Free Agent |
| 2006 | The Colbert Report | Jar Jar Binks Jar Jar Binks Jar Jar Binks is a fictional character from the Star Wars Saga , and the television series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. His primary role was to provide comic relief, but many reacted negatively to his character... (voice) |
Episode: George Lucas |
| 2007 | Robot Chicken: Star Wars | Jar Jar Binks Jar Jar Binks Jar Jar Binks is a fictional character from the Star Wars Saga , and the television series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. His primary role was to provide comic relief, but many reacted negatively to his character... and AT-AT Driver (voice) |
|
| 2008 | This Can't Be My Life | Ahmed | Episode: The Pink Pages |
| Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode II Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode II Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode II is a 2008 episode of the television comedy series Robot Chicken, and the sequel to the Annie Award winning Robot Chicken Star Wars, which aired as a one-off special during Cartoon Network's Adult Swim block on November 16, 2008... |
Jar Jar Binks Jar Jar Binks Jar Jar Binks is a fictional character from the Star Wars Saga , and the television series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. His primary role was to provide comic relief, but many reacted negatively to his character... and Stormtrooper (Star Wars)(voice) |
||
| Star Wars: The Clone Wars Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008 TV series) -Production:At April 2005's Star Wars Celebration III, Lucas stated that "we are working on a 3-D continuation of the pilot series that was on the Cartoon Network; we probably won't start that project for another year." In July 2005, pre-production had begun on the series, according to Steve... |
Jar Jar Binks Jar Jar Binks Jar Jar Binks is a fictional character from the Star Wars Saga , and the television series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. His primary role was to provide comic relief, but many reacted negatively to his character... (voice) |
Episode: Bombad Jedi | |
| 5 Second Movies | Himself | ||
| 2009 | Cougar Town Cougar Town Cougar Town is an American television sitcom that premiered on ABC on September 23, 2009. The series focuses on a recently divorced woman in her forties facing the often humorous challenges, pitfalls and rewards of life's next chapter, along with her son, ex-husband, and friends who together make... |
Dwayne | Episode:Mystery Man |
| Big Time Rush Big Time Rush Big Time Rush is a Nickelodeon television series created by Scott Fellows about the Hollywood misadventures of four hockey players from Minnesota—Kendall, Logan, James, and Carlos, after they are selected to form a boy band. The series premiered with an hour-long pilot episode, "Big Time... |
Marketer | Episode: Big Time Audition | |
| 2010 | Episode: Big Time Blogger | ||
| Star Wars: The Clone Wars Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008 TV series) -Production:At April 2005's Star Wars Celebration III, Lucas stated that "we are working on a 3-D continuation of the pilot series that was on the Cartoon Network; we probably won't start that project for another year." In July 2005, pre-production had begun on the series, according to Steve... |
Jar Jar Binks Jar Jar Binks Jar Jar Binks is a fictional character from the Star Wars Saga , and the television series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. His primary role was to provide comic relief, but many reacted negatively to his character... and Defense Minister (voice) |
Episode: Supply Lines | |
| Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode III Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode III Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode III is a 2010 episode of the television comedy series Robot Chicken, and the third and final installment in the Annie Award-winning and Emmy-nominated Robot Chicken: Star Wars trilogy. It premiered on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim programming block on December 19, 2010... |
Jar Jar Binks Jar Jar Binks Jar Jar Binks is a fictional character from the Star Wars Saga , and the television series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. His primary role was to provide comic relief, but many reacted negatively to his character... (voice) |
||
| 2011 | Law & Order: LA | Dell Gregory | Episode: Van Nuys |
| Episode: Runyon | |||
| Zeke & Luther | Sal Sackelson | Episode: Bro'd Trip | |
| In the Flow with Affion Crockett In the Flow with Affion Crockett In the Flow with Affion Crockett was a sketch comedy television series starring Affion Crockett and produced by Jamie Foxx, MADtv co-creators Fax Bahr and Adam Small, Arrested Developmemt creator Mitch Hurwitz and Two and a Half Mens Eric and Kim Tannenbaum.Taped in the middle of 2010, it was... |
Black Jock |
Short Films
| Year | Title | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Friendly Criminal | Himself | |
| 2003 | The Stockholm syndrome | Himself | |
| There's a Sucker Born Every Minute | Nathan | ||
| 2005 | Escorched | Richard Prentiss | |
| 2007 | Charlie's Bitch Ass Hos | Makeafoolofme West | |
| 2008 | This Can't Be My Life | Ahmed |
Documentary
| Year | Title | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | From Star Wars to Star Wars: The Story of Industrial Magic | Himself | |
| 2001 | The Beginning: Making Star Wars Episode 1 | Himself | |
| R2-D2: Beneath the Dome | Himself | uncredited | |
| 2005 | Science of Star Wars | Himself | |
| 2009 | Black to the Future Black to the Future Black to the Future is a 2009 television mini-series produced by VH1, that talks about history of events and trends about black people, for Black History Month... |
Himself | |
| 2010 | The Life of Bob Marley | Bob Marley Bob Marley Robert Nesta "Bob" Marley, OM was a Jamaican singer-songwriter and musician. He was the rhythm guitarist and lead singer for the ska, rocksteady and reggae band Bob Marley & The Wailers... |
|
| 2001 Maniacs: Behind the Screams | Himself | ||
| The People vs. George Lucas The People vs. George Lucas The People vs. George Lucas is a 2010 documentary/comedy film which uses a courtroom debate approach to explore the issues of filmmaking and fanaticism pertaining to the Star Wars franchise, and its creator, George Lucas. The movie combines filmmaker and celebrity interviews with fan films which... |
Jar Jar Binks Jar Jar Binks Jar Jar Binks is a fictional character from the Star Wars Saga , and the television series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. His primary role was to provide comic relief, but many reacted negatively to his character... (voice) and Himself |
Music
| Year | Title | Songs |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 2001 Maniacs: Field of Screams | "The South's Gonna Rise Again" "Rot in Hell" "Hey Hey Howdy Howdy Hey" "Fun, Games and Feastin'" "Building From the Ground Up" |
Composer
| Year | Title | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | This Can't Be My Life | Episode: The Pink Pages (Theme Song) |
Director
| Year | Title | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | This Can't Be My Life | Short Film |
| This Can't Be My Life | Episode: The Pink Pages |
Video Games
| Year | Title | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace | Jar Jar Binks Jar Jar Binks Jar Jar Binks is a fictional character from the Star Wars Saga , and the television series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. His primary role was to provide comic relief, but many reacted negatively to his character... (voice) |
|
| Star Wars: The Gungan Frontier | |||
| 2000 | Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles Star Wars: Episode I Jedi Power Battles is an action adventure Star Wars video game set during the time frame of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace... |
||
| 2001 | Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds is a real-time strategy computer game set in the Star Wars universe.Players have a choice of factions and campaigns. The factions in the original game include the Wookiees, Royal Naboo, the Trade Federation, the Empire, the Rebels, and the Gungans... |
||
| Star Wars: Super Bombad Racing Star Wars: Super Bombad Racing Star Wars: Super Bombad Racing is a racing video game with characters from Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, Star Wars Episode IV, and Star Wars Episode VI. The playable characters are portrayed in a humorous light in the super deformed style... |
|||
| 2005 | Lego Star Wars: The Video Game LEGO Star Wars: The Video Game Lego Star Wars: The Video Game is a video game based on the Star Wars themed toy line by the Lego Group and the first game in TT Games' Lego videogame franchise. It takes place during the prequel trilogy , with a bonus segment from A New Hope... |
uncredited | |
| 2006 | Scarface: The World Is Yours Scarface: The World is Yours Scarface: The World Is Yours is a video game developed by Radical Entertainment and published by Vivendi Universal Games. The game is based on and is a quasi-sequel to the 1983 motion picture Scarface starring Al Pacino reprising his role as Tony Montana, with André Sogliuzzo providing Montana's... |
Unknown (voice) | uncredited |
| 2007 | Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga is a video game based on the Star Wars-themed toy line by the Lego Group. It is a combination of the game Lego Star Wars: The Video Game and its sequel Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy... |
Jar Jar Binks Jar Jar Binks Jar Jar Binks is a fictional character from the Star Wars Saga , and the television series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. His primary role was to provide comic relief, but many reacted negatively to his character... (voice) |
uncredited |
| 2009 | Ready 2 Rumble: Revolution | Unknown Boxer (voice) | |
| Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 | Cloak Cloak and Dagger (comics) Cloak and Dagger are a fictional comic book superhero duo in the . They were created by writer William "Bill" Mantlo and designed by artist Edward Hannigan.-Publication history:... (voice) |
Producer
| Year | Title | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | The DL Chronicles The DL Chronicles The DL Chronicles is a gay-themed television series that debuted on here! in 2007 for one season that consisted of four episodes.-Overview:The show's debut season focused on the stories of men who live secret lifestyles... |
Episodes: Wes & Robert (executive producer) Boo & Mark (co-executive producer) |
| 2008 | This Can't Be My Life | Episode: The Pink Pages (co-producer) |
Writer
| Year | Title | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | This Can't Be My Life | Short Film |
| This Can't Be My Life | Episode: The Pink Pages |
Theatre
| Year | Title | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Stomp | Sarge | Winner of Obie Award Obie Award The Obie Awards or Off-Broadway Theater Awards are annual awards given by The Village Voice newspaper to theatre artists and groups in New York City... |
| 1997 | The Tempest | Lead | |
| 2002 | Uncle Tom's Cabin | Lead | |
| Jack | Sammy | ||
| 2003 | Vacuums | J. Buttersworth III |