Draft:Edwin De La Renta

Edwin De La Renta
De La Renta at the Tribeca Festival in New New York, June 2023
Born
Occupation(s)Actor, model, dancer
Years active2010–present
Notable workThe Informer, The Last Faust, Bharat, Ted Lasso

Edwin De La Renta is an English actor, model and dancer, best known for his performances in films such as The Informer (2019), The Last Faust (2019), and Bharat (2019). He also gained recognition for his role as Francis in the critically acclaimed television series Ted Lasso on Apple TV+.[1]

Early life and education

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Edwin De La Renta was born in Stonebridge Park and raised in Tottenham, north London, with part of his childhood spent in Accra, Ghana. He attended St Thomas More Catholic School in Wood Green, North London. Although initially interested in pursuing a career in athletics and marine biology, De La Renta developed an interest in the arts during his late teens. He later attended the Sylvia Young Theatre School, where his passion for dance emerged.

Career

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Early career

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De La Renta began his entertainment career as a professional dancer, appearing in music videos for artists such as Alicia Keys ("Girlfriend"), Craig David ("All The Way"), and Jay Sean ("Dance With You"). After touring as a backing dancer, he pursued further studies in Sociology at Goldsmiths College.

Transition to acting and modelling

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While studying, he was streetcast for a photoshoot with Face Magazine, which led him to start a career in fashion modeling. Following his graduation, De La Renta moved to New York, where he studied acting at The Actors Corner in Hell's Kitchen and continued his career as a model. His work in acting began with various short films and community theatre performances.[2][3]

Film

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De La Renta's breakthrough in film came in 2019 when he starred as Smiley Phelps in The Informer, alongside Joel Kinnaman, Rosamund Pike, Ana de Armas, Common, and Clive Owen. Later that year, he portrayed the dual android roles of ParisMUMa 17/Homunculus in the arthouse film The Last Faust,[4] a modern retelling of the Faust legend. He also made his Bollywood debut in Bharat (2019), starring opposite Salman Khan as the pirate leader Mikhael.[5]

Television

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In 2021, De La Renta joined the cast of Ted Lasso for its second season, playing Francis, the assistant to Ghanaian billionaire Edwin Akufo (portrayed by Sam Richardson).[6] He reprised this role in the third season of the series. He also appeared in Deceit (2021), which depicts the honeytrap scandal during the Rachel Nickell murder investigation.

Achievements

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De La Renta's performances have been recognized in various media outlets, including features in the Financial Times and recognition at the London Critics' Circle Film Awards.[7]

Filmography

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Film

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Film
Year Film Role Type
2014 Alberto Goes To Rio Muhammed Short Film
2015 Taken Out Met Short Film
2015 Rise Of The Footsoldier 2 Crackhead Film
2015 Flying South For The Summer Mark Short Film
2016 The Dead Sea Malik Short Film
2019 The Informer Smiley Phelps Film
2019 Bharat Mikhael Film
2019 The Last Faust Paris Android Muma 17/Homonculus Film
2020 Tap Boy Silas Short Film
2021 The Como Connection Agent November Short Film
2022 Pretty Red Dress Fletcher Film
TBA Breezy Ezra Film

Television

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Television
Year Television Show Role Episodes
2014 Grass Roots Justin Rose 1 episode
2021-2023 Ted Lasso Francis 3 episodes
2021 Deceit Mark (Kash) Bailey 1 episode

Personal life

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In his youth, De La Renta was a highly ranked 110m hurdler, competing for Haringey and Barnet. He also competed as an amateur boxer.[8]

References

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  1. ^ "British Men are Taking over hollywood me cover Edwin de la Renta". Ouch! Magazine. 2024-02-01. Retrieved 2024-09-22.
  2. ^ "The Tower Theatre Podcast Season 2 Episode 4". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  3. ^ "Tower Theatre Company : One Man, Two Guvnors". www.archive.towertheatre.org.uk. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  4. ^ "Profile: Edwin De La Renta - Hommunculus / Paris (Android-C02JK0TVDTY4Z-2-27)". Philipp Humm. 2019-09-12. Retrieved 2024-09-22.
  5. ^ "British Actor, Edwin De La Renta On 'The Informer' And Social Responsibility Within Film". Bond Official. 2020-10-01. Retrieved 2024-09-22.
  6. ^ "Edwin De La Renta | Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 2024-09-22.
  7. ^ "London Critics Circle Film Awards / Edwin De La Renta". greenlit.com. Retrieved 2024-09-22.
  8. ^ "Edwin De La Renta – Left Hook Boxing Club London". Retrieved 2024-09-22.
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