Dev Patel’s film career spans breakthrough roles in Oscar-winning dramas, a BAFTA-winning performance, and his recent transition into directing. Born in London to Gujarati-Indian parents on April 23, 1990, Patel began with no prior professional acting experience before landing the lead in Slumdog Millionaire .
His motion picture debut in Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire (2008) earned him a BAFTA nomination for Best Actor and a British Independent Film Award as Most Promising Newcomer . The film won eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and established Patel as a leading talent in Hollywood .
Following his breakout, Patel starred in The Last Airbender (2010) as Prince Zuko, then shifted to comedy with The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011) as Sonny Kapoor . He reprised the role in The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2015), alongside Judi Dench and Maggie Smith .
In 2015, Patel played mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan in The Man Who Knew Infinity opposite Jeremy Irons, and starred as Deon Wilson in Neill Blomkamp’s science fiction thriller Chappie . These roles demonstrated his range beyond the Slumdog persona.
Patel’s performance as Saroo Brierley in Lion (2016) brought his most significant critical recognition. He won the BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor and received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor . The film also earned him an AACTA Award for Best International Supporting Actor .
In Hotel Mumbai (2018), Patel portrayed Arjun, a hotel worker during the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival . He then took the title role in The Personal History of David Copperfield (2019), directed by Armando Iannucci .
Patel starred as Gawain in The Green Knight (2021), David Lowery’s medieval fantasy adaptation of the Arthurian legend . The role further cemented his reputation for choosing unconventional, director-driven projects over mainstream blockbusters.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Dev Patel |
| Age | 36 (born April 23, 1990) |
| Birthplace | Harrow, London, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Profession | Actor, filmmaker |
| Height | 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) |
| Education | Whitmore High School, Harrow; GCSE in Drama (A*), A Levels in PE, Biology, History, Drama (2007) |
| Years Active | 2006–present |
| Notable Works | Slumdog Millionaire (2008), Lion (2016), The Personal History of David Copperfield (2019), The Green Knight (2021), Monkey Man (2024) |
| Awards | BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor (Lion); Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Cast (Slumdog Millionaire); Critics’ Choice Award for Best Young Performer |
| Net Worth | Estimated at $10 million (celebritynetworth.com, as reported 2026) |
| Partner | Tilda Cobham-Hervey (2017–present) |
| Social Media | Instagram: @realdavpatel |
Monkey Man (2024) marked Patel’s feature directorial debut, with him also serving as writer, producer, and star . The action thriller was produced by Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions and Thunder Road Films, and released theatrically by Universal after originally being intended for Netflix .
Patel described the film’s themes in an interview with Vanity Fair, saying it is “an anthem for underdogs,” honoring those with limited representation in Hollywood . The project, which took ten years to make, was inspired by his love for Bruce Lee and his desire to create a film for “young Dev” .
His next directorial effort, The Peasant, is a medieval revenge thriller set in 14th century India, combining Arthurian elements with Indian history . A24 has acquired distribution rights, with Fifth Season and Thunder Road Pictures producing .
On television, Patel starred as Anwar Kharral in the first two series of the E4 teen drama Skins (2007–2008), his first professional role . He also portrayed Neal Sampat on HBO’s The Newsroom from 2012 to 2014 .
Beyond acting, Patel holds a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and won a bronze medal at the 2004 World Championships . This martial arts background informed his physical performance in Monkey Man, where he performed much of his own fight choreography .
Patel’s filmography reveals a deliberate career arc: from a teenage breakout in a Danny Boyle film to a BAFTA-winning dramatic actor, and now to a filmmaker creating original action narratives rooted in Indian culture. His upcoming Rabbit Trap (2025) casts him as Darcy Davenport, with Patel also serving as executive producer .
For audiences exploring dev patel movies, his body of work offers a study in range, from the slums of Mumbai to Arthurian legends, and increasingly, stories he chooses to tell from behind the camera.What was Dev Patel’s breakthrough film role?
Dev Patel’s career breakthrough came in 2008 with the lead role of Jamal Malik in Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire. The film won eight Academy Awards including Best Picture, and Patel received a BAFTA nomination for Best Actor for his performance.
Which Dev Patel movie earned him a BAFTA Award win?
Patel won the BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Saroo Brierley in Lion (2016). He was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for the same role.
Did Dev Patel direct Monkey Man?
Yes, Monkey Man (2024) marked Patel’s feature directorial debut. He also co-wrote, produced, and starred as the lead character credited as Kid. The action thriller was produced by Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions and Thunder Road Films.
What is Dev Patel’s next directorial project?
Patel’s second directorial effort is The Peasant, a period action-thriller set in 14th century India. A24 holds global distribution rights, and the film has wrapped production, marking the studio’s first movie shot in India. Patel also co-wrote and stars in the film.
What horror film did Dev Patel star in recently?
Patel starred in Rabbit Trap (2025), a psychological horror film written and directed by Bryn Chainey in his feature debut. The film premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival and was released in the United States by Magnolia Pictures on September 12, 2025.
