Ahmed Best (born August 19, 1973) 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.
[edit] Early life
Ahmed Best was born in New York City on August 19, 1973. 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. He then studied percussion at the Manhattan School of Music.[1]
[edit] 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.
[edit] Theatrical Career
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.[1]
[edit] Movie Career
In 1997, Ahmed was cast as Jar Jar Binks 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.[episode needed]
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.[citation needed]
[edit] 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" |
|
[edit] Filmography
[edit] Television
[edit] 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 |
|
[edit] 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 |
Himself |
|
| 2010 |
The Life of Bob Marley |
Bob Marley |
|
| 2001 Maniacs: Behind the Screams |
Himself |
|
| The People vs. George Lucas |
Jar Jar Binks (voice) and Himself |
|
| 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" |
[edit] Composer
| Year |
Title |
Note |
| 2008 |
This Can't Be My Life |
Episode: The Pink Pages (Theme Song) |
[edit] Director
| Year |
Title |
Note |
| 2008 |
This Can't Be My Life |
Short Film |
| This Can't Be My Life |
Episode: The Pink Pages |
[edit] Video Games
[edit] Producer
| Year |
Title |
Note |
| 2007 |
The DL Chronicles |
Episodes: Wes & Robert (executive producer)
Boo & Mark (co-executive producer) |
| 2008 |
This Can't Be My Life |
Episode: The Pink Pages (co-producer) |
[edit] Writer
| Year |
Title |
Note |
| 2008 |
This Can't Be My Life |
Short Film |
| This Can't Be My Life |
Episode: The Pink Pages |
[edit] Theatre
| Year |
Title |
Role |
Note |
| 1995 |
Stomp |
Sarge |
Winner of Obie Award |
| 1997 |
The Tempest |
Lead |
|
| 2002 |
Uncle Tom's Cabin |
Lead |
|
| Jack |
Sammy |
|
| 2003 |
Vacuums |
J. Buttersworth III |
|
[edit] References
[edit] External links
