Benjamin Zephaniah was an English actor and writer, best known for his roles in Peaky Blinders, Percy Lifar, and EastEnders. Born on April 15, 1958, in Handsworth, Birmingham, he made significant contributions to literature and the arts throughout his life.
Personal and Family Life
Benjamin Zephaniah was married to Amina from 1990 until their divorce in 2000. He had a unique upbringing, which included being gifted an old manual typewriter during childhood that inspired his writing career. Zephaniah was known for his dedication to the arts and his early performances in his local community.
Career Achievements
Zephaniah won the BBC Young Playwright’s Award and began performing poetry at a young age. By the time he was 15, his work was recognized in the Afro-Caribbean and Asian communities of Handsworth. He was known not only for his literary talents but also for his engaging personality on screen.
Death and Legacy
Benjamin Zephaniah passed away on December 7, 2023, in the UK due to a brain tumor. His death marked the loss of a significant cultural figure who inspired many through his poetry and performances. He famously declined an O.B.E. for his services to literature, choosing instead to remain connected to his roots.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Making the Connection | 2010-05-18 | Himself |
| Time and Judgement: A Diary of a 400 Year Exile | 1988-01-01 | Street Corner Poet 1 |
| I Bring You Frankincense | 1996-11-23 | Richard’s father |
| Didn’t You Kill My Brother? | 1988-03-19 | Rufus |
| Truth or Dairy | 1994-01-01 | Self |
| Who Killed Colin Roach? | 1983-01-01 | N/A |
| Cold War Steve Meets the Outside World | 2020-11-24 | Self |
| Dread Poets’ Society | 1992-09-23 | Self |
| Mad Dogs | 2002-12-05 | Poet |
| Farendj | 1990-01-01 | Moses |
| A Picture of Birmingham, by Benjamin Zephaniah | 2005-06-08 | Self |
| Peaky Blinders: Rambert’s The Redemption of Thomas Shelby | 2024-01-01 | Narrator |
| Benjamin Zephaniah – Pen Rhythm Poet | 1982-11-04 | Self |
| Frankie Boyle’s New World Order | 2017-06-08 | Self |
| Peaky Blinders | 2013-09-12 | Jeremiah Jesus |
| Question Time | 1979-09-25 | Self – Panellist |
| The Big Narstie Show | 2018-06-29 | Self |
| The Comic Strip Presents… | 1982-11-02 | Rufus |
| QI | 2003-09-11 | Self |
| The Big Questions | 2007-09-09 | Self |
| Life & Rhymes | 2020-11-04 | Himself |
| Celebrity Antiques Road Trip | 2011-10-24 | Self – Participant |