Ahmed Best | |
|---|---|
 Best in 2010 | |
| Born | August 19, 1973 New York City, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Manhattan School of Music |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1989–present |
| Spouse | Raquel Horsford |
Ahmed Best (born August 19, 1973) is an American actor, comedian and musician. He is known for providing the voice and motion capture for the character Jar Jar Binks in the Star Wars franchise.
Best likewise collaborated with director George Lucas in three films and seven episodes of the animated show Star Wars: The Clone Wars. He won the Annie Award for Voice Acting in an Animated Television Production for portraying Jar Jar Binks in Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode II. He also voices Roux, a powerful mythical being in the video game South of Midnight.
Early life
[edit]1973-1993: Childhood and education
[edit]Ahmed Best was born in New York City on August 19, 1973.[1][2] Born in Roosevelt Hospital, he lived the majority of his formative years in the Soundview section of the Bronx. Best and his family moved to Maplewood, New Jersey in 1984.[3] He attended Columbia High School, graduating in 1991. He then studied percussion at the Manhattan School of Music.[4]
Best is the younger brother of Dunia Best Sinnreich, lead singer and co-founder of Brave New Girl, Dubistry and Agent 99 and formerly with The Slackers.
Career
[edit]1994-1995: Early work
[edit]In 1994, Best 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.
In 1995, he joined the Obie Award-winning cast of Stomp. He toured with the cast of Stomp throughout the US and Europe.[4]
Star Wars
[edit]1997-2019: Star Wars prequel trilogy and reappraisal
[edit]In 1997, after casting director Robin Gurland had observed his flexible, athletic movements in Stomp, Ahmed was cast as Jar Jar Binks in the Star Wars prequel trilogy (1999–2005). He reprised the role in the Robot Chicken specials Robot Chicken: Star Wars and Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode II, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and an episode of Stephen Colbert's The Colbert Report.[episode needed] Best also portrayed an Outlander Club patron, Achk Med-Beq in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones.[5] C-3PO actor, Anthony Daniels[a] told Best "that they were going to let [him] reveal [his] face" in the film so Best decided to take part in the scene.[5] His character can be seen in the Outlander Club on Coruscant when Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi pursue the changeling assasin, Zam Wesell.
Initially, Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace received mixed reviews, however, it became the highest grossing film of 1999 and the highest-grossing Star Wars film at the time of its release. Best said he put a lot of himself into the character, so when Jar Jar drew hostility from audiences, it sometimes extended toward the actor or he otherwise interpreted it personally. Best reprised his role in the following two films rounding up the prequel trilogy but appeared in few scenes. The character of Jar Jar Binks was so disliked that Best considered suicide.[7][8] This evoked support from fans and some of the cast including Frank Oz and Star Wars: The Last Jedi film director, Rian Johnson.[8] Oz said, "I just will never understand the harshness of people's dislike of [Jar Jar Binks]. I do character work. He is a GREAT character!"[8] Johnson tweeted, "Lots of love to you Ahmed. I think there are many of us who'd get quite a lot from hearing your story."[8]
Following a reappraisal of the prequel trilogy, Anthony Daniels said in his memoirs that "the years have been kinder to this, the first Prequel. Many, who were young at the time, still hold it, and Jar Jar Binks as their dearest memory of the Saga."[9] Daniels praised Best for his "quick-witted humour" during the first Star Wars Celebration held at Denver, Colorado, a few weeks before the release of The Phantom Menace.[10] A lot of the cast (including Liam Neeson) and crew defended Best. Neeson, who was aware about the criticism Best faced, praised him for his humour and talent. He said that Best "was probably one of the funniest guys and talented guys I have ever worked with."[11]
In 2019, as part of the 20th anniversary, Best cited the audience (The Phantom Menace was aimed for) reaching adulthood and their perspective on the film as some of the reasons for the reappraisal of the prequel trilogy. He said, "the prequels, that's theirs, and they defend the prequels. So I see the same thing. I see the resurgence of The Phantom Menace."[12] Initially, Best was hesitant about attending Star Wars Celebration Chicago in 2019 due to the criticism and spending "most of [his] time defending" the film and his character.[12] However, he was moved by the warm welcome he received from the crowd during the Star Wars Show Live and The Phantom Menace 20th anniversary panel - as well as positive reception and the newfound appreciation for the film.[12][13] George Lucas named Jar Jar as his favourite character and praised Best, saying, "Ahmed, you did a fantastic job. It was very, very hard."[13]
Best appeared with fellow Star Wars alumni Dee Bradley Baker, James Arnold Taylor, and Daran Norris on the TV show Big Time Rush.[14] He also appeared in the second season of the documentary television series, Light & Magic and talked about the significance of his character (being Lucasfilm's first CGI character), the experience making The Phantom Menace, as well as the criticism he faced following the film's release.[15]
2020-present: Return to Star Wars franchise
[edit]"I love the mythology of Star Wars more than anything else. I love that I got to be a Jedi Master rather than me, because Ahmed Best is not a part of the Star Wars galaxy. The suspension of disbelief doesn’t happen for the kids if Ahmed Best is the host."[16]
In late May 2020, Lucasfilm announced that Best would star as Jedi Master Kelleran Beq in the game show Star Wars: Jedi Temple Challenge, which premiered in June 2020.[17][18][19][20][21] Best reprised the role of Beq in the third season of The Mandalorian, a live-action series set in the Star Wars universe.[22] His character rescued Grogu from Darth Sidious's Jedi Purge and acted as his protector preceding the Mandalorian.[16][b] Best received praise for his performance from the crew and audience.
Dave Filoni said, "We love Ahmed, and he did such a great job. It was a real thrill for us to get him involved."[23] Filoni and Jon Favreau said that there is a possibility that Best could appear as Kelleran Beq again.[23] Best confirmed that Kelleran Beq is related to Achk Med-Beq.[16] In 2023, when discussing the possibility of playing Jar Jar again, Best said, “I would never say never. I don’t feel like Jar Jar’s story was ever closed”.[24] He has expressed an interest in exploring Kelleran Beq further and doing "a Star Wars martial arts show".[24]
Best voiced Darth Jar Jar, a Sith Lord version of his character in Lego Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy (2024-2025).[25][26] He reprised this role in the video game Fortnite Battle Royale.[27]
Best has attended several conventions as part of Star Wars Celebration as a guest since 1999.[28][10] He attended Star Wars Celebration Japan in April 2025.[29]
On 11 October 2025, an upcoming Marvel Comics comic book title, Jar Jar Binks #1 was announced at New York Comic Con. Best and Guggenheim will write the issue and it will feature Best's characters, Jar Jar Binks and Kelleran Beq.[30]
Other work
[edit]In addition to his acting roles, Best has worked as an adjunct professor at Stanford University.[31] His Stanford classes have touched on subjects such as art and Afrofuturism.[32]
In 2008, he also wrote, directed, and produced the pilot for a television show called This Can't Be My Life.
Best also holds the rank of Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Lean on Me | Extra | |
| 1999 | Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace | Jar Jar Binks (voice and motion capture) | [33] |
| 2002 | Friendly Criminal | Himself | Short film |
| Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones | Jar Jar Binks (voice) and Achk Med-Beq | [33] | |
| Armitage: Dual Matrix | Mouse (voice) | English version | |
| 2003 | The Stockholm Syndrome | Himself | Short film |
| There's a Sucker Born Every Minute | Nathan | Short film | |
| 2004 | Kangaroo Jack: G'Day U.S.A.! | Louis Booker (voice) | [33] |
| 2005 | Escorched | Richard Prentiss | Short film |
| Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith | Jar Jar Binks (voice) | ||
| 2006 | Open Window | Rufus | |
| 2007 | Charlie's Bitch Ass Hos | Makeafoolofme West | Short film |
| 2009 | Mother and Child | 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 | ||
| 2012 | FDR: American Badass! | Curtis | |
| 2013 | DJ | Mouse (Armitage segments) | |
| W.M.D. | News Reporter |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Alias | Seth | Episode: "A Free Agent" |
| 2006 | The Colbert Report | Jar Jar Binks (voice) | Episode: "George Lucas" |
| 2007 | Robot Chicken: Star Wars | Jar Jar Binks, AT-AT Driver (voice) | Television film |
| The DL Chronicles | — | Episodes: Wes & Robert (executive producer) Boo & Mark (co-executive producer) | |
| 2008 | This Can't Be My Life | Ahmed | Episode: "The Pink Pages"; also composer, co-producer, writer, and director |
| Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode II | Jar Jar Binks, Stormtrooper (voice) | Television film Annie Award for Best Voice Acting in an Animated Television Production or Short Form | |
| 5 Second Movies | Himself | ||
| 2008–14 | Star Wars: The Clone Wars | Jar Jar Binks, Lyonie (voice) | 7 episodes[33] |
| 2009 | Cougar Town | Dwayne | Episode: "Mystery Man" |
| 2009–12 | Big Time Rush | Marketer, Rob | 3 episodes |
| 2010 | Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode III | Jar Jar Binks, Carl the Stormtrooper (voice) | Television film |
| 2011 | Law & Order: LA | Dell Gregory | Episode: "Runyon Canyon" |
| Zeke and Luther | Sal Sackelson | Episode: "Bro'd Trip" | |
| In the Flow with Affion Crockett | Black Jock | ||
| 2012 | Lego Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out | Jar Jar Binks (voice) | Television short |
| 2020 | Star Wars: Jedi Temple Challenge | Jedi Master Kelleran Beq | [22] |
| The George Lucas Talk Show | Himself | Episode: "Best in Show" | |
| 2023 | The Mandalorian | Kelleran Beq | Episode: "Chapter 20: The Foundling"[22] |
| 2024 | Lego Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy | Darth Jar Jar Binks (voice) | [34][33] |
Documentary
[edit]| 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 | [citation needed] |
| 2001 Maniacs: Behind the Screams | Himself | ||
| 2025 | Light & Magic | Himself |
Music
[edit]| 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" |
Video games
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Note | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Star Wars: Yoda's Challenge Activity Center | Jar Jar Binks | Voice | [33] |
| Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace | Voice | [33] | ||
| Star Wars: The Gungan Frontier | Voice | [33] | ||
| 2000 | Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles | Voice | [33] | |
| Star Wars: Early Learning Activity Center | Voice | [33] | ||
| Star Wars: Jar Jar's Journey Adventure Book | Voice | [33] | ||
| 2001 | Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds | Voice | [33] | |
| Star Wars: Super Bombad Racing | Voice | [33] | ||
| 2005 | Lego Star Wars: The Video Game | Uncredited | ||
| 2007 | Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga | Uncredited | ||
| 2009 | Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 | Cloak | Voice | |
| 2011 | Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars | Jar Jar Binks | Voice | [33] |
| 2015 | Disney Infinity 3.0 | Voice | [35] | |
| 2020 | Fallout 76: Wastelanders | Carver Timmerman, James Addison, Jide | Voice DLC | [36] |
| The Last of Us Part II | Additional voices | |||
| 2025 | South of Midnight | Performance and voice director | [37] | |
| Fortnite Battle Royale | Darth Jar Jar | [27] |
Theatre
[edit]| 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 |
Discography
[edit]| 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" | |
| "It's the Jazz" | On the album Vitality of Expression by Jeff Peretz |
| "Forms of the Rhythm" | |
| Celebrity EP | as DJ Starfaker |
References
[edit]Footnotes
[edit]- ^ Daniels also made a cameo as Lieutenant Dannl Faytonni (in the same scene Achk Med-Beq appeared in) in Attack of the Clones. According to Daniels, both Med-Beq and Faytonni were a criminal partnership.[6] Faytonni appeared in Revenge of the Sith but Med-Beq did not.
- ^ The Mandalorian is set five years after the events of Return of the Jedi however, Grogu's flashback of the Jedi Purge takes place concurrently with the events of Revenge of the Sith.
Citations
[edit]- ^ Star Wars: A Visual History. DK. 2021. p. 27. ISBN 9780744055665.
- ^ Baym, Nancy K. (2018). Playing to the Crowd: Musicians, Audiences, and the Intimate Work of Connection. NYU Press. p. 207. ISBN 9781479896165.
- ^ Givens, Roy. "Jar Wars: Fame & Blame", New York Daily News, June 3, 1999. Accessed July 15, 2022. "Best himself was born at Roosevelt Hospital and grew up in the Soundview neighborhood in the Bronx. Best's family moved to Maplewood, N.J."
- ^ a b "Bio". www.ahmedbest.com. October 20, 2009. Archived from the original on October 20, 2009.
- ^ a b Daniels 2019, p. 182.
- ^ Daniels 2019, pp. 181–182.
- ^ Nordine, Michael (January 5, 2019). "Jar Jar Binks Actor Ahmed Best Opens Up About Racism-Fueled Backlash". IndieWire. Archived from the original on May 26, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
- ^ a b c d "Star Wars actor: 'I considered suicide'". BBC News. July 4, 2018. Archived from the original on January 18, 2020.
- ^ Daniels 2019, p. 163.
- ^ a b Daniels 2019, p. 167.
- ^ Ryan Scott (September 14, 2020). "Liam Neeson Praises Jar Jar Binks Actor While Defending The Phantom Menace". movieweb.com. MovieWeb. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
And I have to say when I was making that film, with Ahmed Best as Jar Jar Binks and with Ewan McGregor as the young Obi-Wan Kenobi, he was probably one of the funniest guys and talented guys I have ever worked with.
- ^ a b c Dan Brooks (May 24, 2019). ""All Films Are Personal": An Oral History of Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace". starwars.com. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
It was definitely the children -- I had to start looking at Jar Jar through their eyes, and that's what made me smile again. Now those kids are in their 20s and 30s. They have a different perspective on The Phantom Menace. The Phantom Menace, for them, is their Star Wars. [Episodes] IV, V, and VI, that's their parents' Star Wars, and VII, VIII, and IX, that's their kids' Star Wars. But the prequels, that's theirs, and they defend the prequels. So I see the same thing. I see the resurgence of The Phantom Menace and the prequels, and they're getting the attention that I think we wanted them to get 20 years ago. And the same thing with Jar Jar.
- ^ a b "Star Wars: George Lucas names Jar Jar Binks as his favourite character". BBC News. April 17, 2019. Retrieved October 25, 2025.
But speaking on Monday, Lucas was full of praise for Best, saying: "Ahmed, you did a fantastic job. It was very, very hard." In response, Best tweeted: "I'm overwhelmed with the love and support I got at today's Star Wars Celebration Phantom Menace panel.
- ^ Parker, Ryan. "Jar Jar Binks Actor Says He Considered Suicide After 'Star Wars' Backlash". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on May 11, 2020.
- ^ Lucas O. Seastrom (April 16, 2025). "Joe Johnston, Ahmed Best, and ILM Talk Light & Magic Season 2". lucasfilm.com. Lucasfilm. Retrieved October 27, 2025.
- ^ a b c Louise Griffin (March 22, 2023). "Who is The Mandalorian's Kelleran Beq? Star Wars icon Ahmed Best returns". radiotimes.com. RadioTimes.com. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
- ^ "Star Wars: Jedi Temple Challenge to debut on 3 June on Star Wars Kids". StarWars.com. Lucasfilm. May 27, 2020. Archived from the original on May 27, 2020. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
- ^ Gemmill, Allie (May 27, 2020). "The Force Is Strong With This Epic 'Star Wars: Jedi Temple Challenge' Trailer". Collider. Archived from the original on May 27, 2020. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
- ^ "Updated: Star Wars: Jedi Temple Challenge to debut on June 10 on Star Wars Kids". StarWars.com. Lucasfilm. Archived from the original on June 4, 2020. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
- ^ Laman, Douglas (June 4, 2020). "Star Wars Jedi Temple Challenge premiere delayed in light of protests". CBR.com. Archived from the original on June 5, 2020. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
- ^ Forward, Devon (June 4, 2020). "Star Wars: Jedi Temple Challenge Show Delays Premiere". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on June 5, 2020. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
- ^ a b c Ross, Dalton (March 22, 2023). "Meesa back! Jar Jar Binks actor Ahmed Best returns to Star Wars as a Mandalorian Jedi". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
- ^ a b Dalton Ross (May 12, 2023). "Ahmed Best could return to The Mandalorian as Kelleran Beq". ew.com. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
It's always a possibility," Filoni says. "We love Ahmed, and he did such a great job. It was a real thrill for us to get him involved.
- ^ a b Alexi Duggins (July 28, 2023). "'The lowest I've ever been': how playing Jar Jar Binks led to abuse, near death – and saving Baby Yoda". theguardian.com. The Guardian. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
Given how happy he is with his performance, would he ever play Jar Jar again? "I would never say never. I don't feel like Jar Jar's story was ever closed," says Best. "But right now, I would like to explore more Kelleran Beq. I'd love to do a Star Wars martial arts show – like a Jedi John Wick."
- ^ StarWars.com Team (May 6, 2024). "Get Ready for Darth Jar Jar, TIE-Wings, and More in LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy - Updated". starwars.com. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
Darth Jar Jar voiced by Ahmed Best
- ^ StarWars.com Team (August 14, 2025). "A Giant Chewbacca Joins the Fight in New LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy - Pieces of the Past Trailer". starwars.com. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
Ahmed Best as Darth Jar Jar
- ^ a b Davis, Wes (April 20, 2025). "Fortnite is getting a Star Wars Battle Royale with Darth Jar Jar". The Verge. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
- ^ "Solo's Erin Kellyman and Ahmed Best of the Prequel Trilogy Coming to Star Wars Celebration Chicago". StarWars.com. March 8, 2019. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
Ahmed Best, the talent behind Jar Jar Binks in the Star Wars prequels, is also heading to Celebration. With 2019 marking the 20th anniversary of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, Best's return to Celebration is sure to excite fans.
- ^ "Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025 - Celebrity Guests". StarWars.com. February 19, 2025. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
Ahmed Best, the actor who plays both lovable Gungan Jar Jar Binks and the Jedi Knight Kelleran Beq in the Star Wars galaxy, is coming to Star Wars Celebration Japan this year!
- ^ StarWars.com Team (October 11, 2025). "NYCC 2025: All the News and Reveals from the Lucasfilm Publishing Panel". starwars.com. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
Master Beq also appears in a special one-shot revealed at NYCC that stars none other than Jar Jar Binks! Co-writers Ahmed Best (who has portrayed both characters on screen in The Mandalorian and Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, respectively) and Marc Guggenheim put Binks and Beq in a team-up for the ages in Jar Jar Binks #1.
- ^ Tiet, Amanda (March 3, 2022). "Masters of Creativity: Overcoming Creative Blocks w/ Ahmed Best". stanford.edu. Stanford University. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
- ^ "Ahmed Best on His Surprise Return as Kelleran Beq in The Mandalorian". starwars.com. Lucasfilm. March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Ahmed Best (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved April 20, 2025. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
- ^ Edwards, Molly (May 7, 2024). "Star Wars is basically releasing its own version of Marvel's What If – and it features the franchise's most popular fan theory". GamesRadar+. Archived from the original on May 24, 2024. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ Avalanche Software. Disney Infinity 3.0. Scene: Closing credits, 5:39 in, Featuring the Voice Talents of.
- ^ Bethesda Game Studios Austin (April 14, 2020). Fallout 76: Wastelanders DLC. Bethesda Softworks. Scene: Credits: Voice & Music – Cast.
- ^ Kennedy, Victoria (November 12, 2024). "South of Midnight documentary features Jar Jar Binks actor, details game's world, creatures and representation". Eurogamer. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
Print sources
[edit]- Daniels, Anthony (2019). I Am C-3PO: The Inside Story. DK. ISBN 9780241357606.
External links
[edit]
- Ahmed Best at IMDb
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