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United States Ahmed Best is an acclaimed actor, musician, and director, recognized globally for his groundbreaking motion-capture performances and significant contributions to the Star Wars franchise and beyond.
Co-founder of AFRORITHM FUTURES GROUP, leveraging his experience as the first hybrid digital live-action actor in film to collaborate on bringing ideas to life. His work involves using methods like forecasting, collaborative design, and games to explore concepts of Afrofuturism.
Ahmed Best announced his debut as a writer for Marvel Comics, working on a team-up comic featuring his two Star Wars characters, Jar Jar Binks and Kelleran Beq.
He gave a talk titled 'Feel The Future' on Valentine’s Day, discussing creativity, imagination, and community building, drawing on his experiences from 'Stomp' and 'Star Wars,' and his work with the AfroRithms Futures Group. His talk also involved a sing-a-long performance and live theater.
Ahmed Best was born in New York City on August 19, 1973. He spent his formative years in the Soundview section of the Bronx before moving to Maplewood, New Jersey in 1984. Best attended Columbia High School, graduating in 1991, and furthered his education by studying percussion at the Manhattan School of Music. His early career showcased a blend of musical and performance talents. In 1994, he joined the acid jazz group The Jazzhole, contributing to three of their albums as a co-writer and co-producer. This musical background was complemented by his theatrical presence when he became a principal member of the Obie Award-winning show “Stomp” in 1995, touring extensively across the US and Europe.
A pivotal moment in Best’s career came in 1997 when casting director Robin Gurland recognized his unique athletic movements from “Stomp.” This led to his casting as Jar Jar Binks, the first major CGI character actor in the Star Wars prequel trilogy (“Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace” in 1999, “Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones” in 2002, and “Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith” in 2005). Best reprised the role in various Star Wars animated shows, video games, and specials like “Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode II,” for which he won an Annie Award for Voice Acting in an Animated Television Production. While the role of Jar Jar Binks brought significant recognition, it also exposed Best to intense public scrutiny. In 2020, he returned to the Star Wars universe not as Jar Jar, but as Jedi Master Kelleran Beq in “Star Wars: Jedi Temple Challenge,” a role he reprised in “The Mandalorian” in 2023, receiving critical praise for his performance.
Beyond his iconic acting roles, Best has diversified his career as a producer and director, notably writing, directing, and producing the pilot for the television show “This Can’t Be My Life” in 2008. He also contributes academically as an adjunct professor at Stanford University, where his classes cover topics like art and Afrofuturism, reflecting his broader interests in creative expression and cultural discourse. Best is also a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and frequently attends Star Wars Celebration conventions as a guest, engaging directly with fans and continuing his legacy within the franchise.
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