Dev Patel is a British actor of Indian origin who made a powerful entrance into world cinema with the Academy Award–winning film Slumdog Millionaire, and later portrayed Prince Zuko in The Last Airbender.

Dev Patel was born on March 23, 1990, in Harrow, Greater London, England. His parents are Indians born in Nairobi, Kenya, and he was raised in the United Kingdom in accordance with Hindu beliefs. While studying at Longfield Middle School, his performance in the stage play Twelfth Night earned him the Best Actor award, a moment that played a key role in shaping his future career. After graduating from Whitmore High School, he formally began pursuing acting, completing AS Levels in history, biology, and drama while appearing on television.

An extremely energetic child in his youth, Dev Patel frequently found himself in trouble at school. At his mother’s encouragement, he began training in karate and taekwondo. In 2004, he won a bronze medal in taekwondo at the AIMAA World Championships in Dublin, and in 2006, he achieved a 1st Dan black belt.

Dev Patel began his acting career in 2006 with the E4 drama series Skins, portraying Anwar Kharral, a British Muslim teenager of Pakistani origin. The series ran from 2006 to 2008 and won two BAFTA Awards. Patel’s performance earned him the Critics’ Choice Award for Best Young Performer in 2009.

His transition to cinema came in 2008 with the British–Indian co-production Slumdog Millionaire, directed by Danny Boyle. The film, which stunned audiences worldwide by winning 8 Academy Awards and 7 BAFTA Awards, tells the story of a young man who wins the top prize on the Indian version of *Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?*. Dev Patel played the lead role of Jamal Malik, a performance that brought him international acclaim and numerous awards, including the Screen Actors Guild Award, Black Reel Award, and recognition from the Chicago Film Critics Association, along with multiple Saturn and BAFTA nominations.

Following the global success of Slumdog Millionaire, Dev Patel continued to build his career in both independent and mainstream cinema. One of his most notable later roles was Prince Zuko in The Last Airbender, directed by M. Night Shyamalan. Patel was cast shortly before production, replacing the originally planned actor, and his performance was widely praised by critics despite the film’s mixed reception.

Dev Patel remains recognized as one of the most prominent British actors of Indian descent, admired for his early breakthrough, physical discipline, and ability to transition seamlessly between television and major international film productions.

Source: Biyografiler.com