Lupita Nyong'o Biography: From Kenyan Drama Club to Academy Award Winner in Three Years

She had one film credit when Steve McQueen cast her in '12 Years a Slave.' She had one credit when People magazine named her the Most Beautiful Woman in the World. In both cases the recognition was not premature but simply accurate.

Idris Elba Biography: The East London Boy Who Became the World's Coolest Leading Man

He played Stringer Bell without anyone knowing he was British. He played DCI John Luther without anyone doubting he could be that damaged and that brilliant. Idris Elba has spent three decades making the difficult look effortless and the effortless look dangerous.