Photo: Idris Elba/Instagram
CelebratingIdris Elba’s 51st birthday on Sept. 6, 2023, is actually like giving a gift to ourselves.The actor —who wasPEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive in 2018— has had many sexy moments in his 51 years, so to mark his latest milestone, we’re looking at them!
CelebratingIdris Elba’s 51st birthday on Sept. 6, 2023, is actually like giving a gift to ourselves.
The actor —who wasPEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive in 2018— has had many sexy moments in his 51 years, so to mark his latest milestone, we’re looking at them!
01of 51EXTRA, EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT ITDavid BurtonIt’s Idris Elba, a.k.a. PEOPLE’s 2018 Sexiest Man Alive’s birthday!
01of 51
EXTRA, EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT
David Burton
It’s Idris Elba, a.k.a. PEOPLE’s 2018 Sexiest Man Alive’s birthday!
02of 51IT’S LIT, FAMJoseph Okpako/WireImageElba brings the party wherever he goes.
02of 51
IT’S LIT, FAM
Joseph Okpako/WireImage
Elba brings the party wherever he goes.
03of 51DROPPING THE BEATOllie Millington/RedfernsThose arms were made for deejaying.
03of 51
DROPPING THE BEAT
Ollie Millington/Redferns
Those arms were made for deejaying.
04of 51GRAB THE MICEmma McIntyre/GettyWe’d listen to him talk to us in that gorgeous British accent all day.
04of 51
GRAB THE MIC
Emma McIntyre/Getty
We’d listen to him talk to us in that gorgeous British accent all day.
05of 51GREEN WITH ENVYTrae Patton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank; Inset: Kevork Djansezian/NBC/NBCU Photo BankAnd we’re not talking about beingjealous of his wife, Sabrina. We’re talking about the tux that he wore to the 2019 Golden Globes … although we are jealous of Sabrina.
05of 51
GREEN WITH ENVY
Trae Patton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank; Inset: Kevork Djansezian/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank
And we’re not talking about beingjealous of his wife, Sabrina. We’re talking about the tux that he wore to the 2019 Golden Globes … although we are jealous of Sabrina.
06of 51WINNER, WINNERTodd Williamson/Getty ImagesWhat? Like it’s hard?
06of 51
WINNER, WINNER
Todd Williamson/Getty Images
What? Like it’s hard?
07of 51IS IT HOT IN HERE?Beretta/Sims/ShutterstockOr is it just Elba in an oversized jacket?
07of 51
IS IT HOT IN HERE?
Beretta/Sims/Shutterstock
Or is it just Elba in an oversized jacket?
08of 51HIPSTER HATDan Wooller/ShutterstockWe would move to Brooklyn if it meant all the hipsters dressed like this.
08of 51
HIPSTER HAT
Dan Wooller/Shutterstock
We would move to Brooklyn if it meant all the hipsters dressed like this.
09of 51CAT ATTACKUniversal PicturesElba played Macavity in theCATSmovie! He was purrrrrfect for the role.
09of 51
CAT ATTACK
Universal Pictures
Elba played Macavity in theCATSmovie! He was purrrrrfect for the role.
10of 51A POP OF COLORPaul Zimmerman/WWD/ShutterstockElba’s not afraid to stand out. And thank goodness for that!
10of 51
A POP OF COLOR
Paul Zimmerman/WWD/Shutterstock
Elba’s not afraid to stand out. And thank goodness for that!
11of 51ALL SMILESChelsea Lauren/Variety/REX/ShutterstockNothing like that smile!
11of 51
ALL SMILES
Chelsea Lauren/Variety/REX/Shutterstock
Nothing like that smile!
12of 51TURN UP CHARLIEHis Netflix film,Turn Up Charlie, showed off both his DJ skillsandhis hot dad skills.
12of 51
TURN UP CHARLIE
His Netflix film,Turn Up Charlie, showed off both his DJ skillsandhis hot dad skills.
13of 51THIS IS A CASE FOR THE FBISteffan Hill/BBC AmericaElba played detective John Luther in the British crime drama,Luther.
13of 51
THIS IS A CASE FOR THE FBI
Steffan Hill/BBC America
Elba played detective John Luther in the British crime drama,Luther.
14of 51JUST KIDDING, LUTHER’S ON ITBBC AMERICAAnd it doesn’t take a detective to figure out that he always looked amazing while doing it.
14of 51
JUST KIDDING, LUTHER’S ON IT
BBC AMERICA
And it doesn’t take a detective to figure out that he always looked amazing while doing it.
15of 51LOUNGING AROUNDDavid BurtonImagine a lazy Saturday on the couch with PEOPLE’s 2018 Sexiest Man Alive.
15of 51
LOUNGING AROUND
Imagine a lazy Saturday on the couch with PEOPLE’s 2018 Sexiest Man Alive.
16of 51CALM, COOL AND CRAZY GOOD LOOKINGDavid BurtonThat’s Elba in a nutshell.
16of 51
CALM, COOL AND CRAZY GOOD LOOKING
That’s Elba in a nutshell.
17of 51CLASS ACTLarry Busacca/GettyIdris in a tux might be the best thing the Met Gala ever gave us.
17of 51
CLASS ACT
Larry Busacca/Getty
Idris in a tux might be the best thing the Met Gala ever gave us.
18of 51FLOWER POWERDimitrios Kambouris/GettyAlthough the Met Gala also gave us Idris in front of a wall of roses, too.
18of 51
FLOWER POWER
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty
Although the Met Gala also gave us Idris in front of a wall of roses, too.
19of 51CAMPY AFDia Dipasupil/FilmMagicAndit gave us Idris in a floral jacket — something we didn’t know we needed.
19of 51
CAMPY AF
Dia Dipasupil/FilmMagic
Andit gave us Idris in a floral jacket — something we didn’t know we needed.
20of 51FLEX ZONEIdris Elba/InstagramDid we mention that Elba is a dedicatedkickboxer?
20of 51
FLEX ZONE
Idris Elba/Instagram
Did we mention that Elba is a dedicatedkickboxer?
21of 51READY TO RUMBLEDiscovery Networks InternationalThe 2017 docu-seriesIdris Elba: Fighterchronicled his journey totaking on a professional fighter in the ring.
21of 51
READY TO RUMBLE
Discovery Networks International
The 2017 docu-seriesIdris Elba: Fighterchronicled his journey totaking on a professional fighter in the ring.
22of 51WEDDING BELLSIan West/PA WireBecause we weren’t already overwhelmed with emotion duringPrince HarryandMeghan Markle’swedding, Idris had to show up looking impossibly dapper with then-fiancée Sabrina Dhowre.
22of 51
WEDDING BELLS
Ian West/PA Wire
Because we weren’t already overwhelmed with emotion duringPrince HarryandMeghan Markle’swedding, Idris had to show up looking impossibly dapper with then-fiancée Sabrina Dhowre.
23of 51FEEL THE LOVEREX/ShutterstockWedding attire definitely suits him well.
23of 51
FEEL THE LOVE
REX/Shutterstock
Wedding attire definitely suits him well.
24of 51CERTIFIED ZADDYDave Benett/GettyThe actor is dad to son Winston and daughter Isan.
24of 51
CERTIFIED ZADDY
Dave Benett/Getty
The actor is dad to son Winston and daughter Isan.
25of 51SAFETY SEATDave Benett/GettyHe gave Winston a (simulated) driving lesson at a Formula E event in Paris, and the pictures are almost too cute to handle.
25of 51
SAFETY SEAT
He gave Winston a (simulated) driving lesson at a Formula E event in Paris, and the pictures are almost too cute to handle.
26of 51MUSIC MANDave Benett/GettyHe also happens to be a talented DJ, and even took over the music atPrince HarryandMeghan Markle’swedding reception.
26of 51
MUSIC MAN
He also happens to be a talented DJ, and even took over the music atPrince HarryandMeghan Markle’swedding reception.
27of 51DANCING KINGIdris Elba InstagramAnd he’s a pretty great dancer, too.
27of 51
DANCING KING
Idris Elba Instagram
And he’s a pretty great dancer, too.
28of 51CANDLELIT LOVESabrina Dhowre/InstagramOnce again, we’re living vicariously through Idris’s ladylove.
28of 51
CANDLELIT LOVE
Sabrina Dhowre/Instagram
Once again, we’re living vicariously through Idris’s ladylove.
29of 51EYE TO EYEJenny Gage + Tom BettertonStare into our souls, Idris.
29of 51
EYE TO EYE
Jenny Gage + Tom Betterton
Stare into our souls, Idris.
30of 51HE’S AS COOL AS ICEDavid M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty ImagesBut sweet enough to bring home to Mom.
30of 51
HE’S AS COOL AS ICE
David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images
But sweet enough to bring home to Mom.
31of 51GENTLE TOUCHSaty + PrathaWhen you’re feeling sad, think about that time Idris andThe Mountain Between Usdirector Hanny Abu-Assad played with a puppy.
31of 51
GENTLE TOUCH
Saty + Pratha
When you’re feeling sad, think about that time Idris andThe Mountain Between Usdirector Hanny Abu-Assad played with a puppy.
32of 51CARE TO SHARE?Zacharie Scheurer/GettyWe’re always down for a drink with Idris.
32of 51
CARE TO SHARE?
Zacharie Scheurer/Getty
We’re always down for a drink with Idris.
33of 51WE ACCEPTIdris Elba InstagramTo support W.E. Can Lead, a non-profit that promotes girls' education in Africa, Elba fulfilled his followers' dream of receiving a date invitation.
33of 51
WE ACCEPT
To support W.E. Can Lead, a non-profit that promotes girls' education in Africa, Elba fulfilled his followers' dream of receiving a date invitation.
34of 51MAMA’S BOYIdris Elba TwitterBecause he’s also a caring son, Idristook his mom alongwhen he was invited to an event at Buckingham Palace. Swoon.
34of 51
MAMA’S BOY
Idris Elba Twitter
Because he’s also a caring son, Idristook his mom alongwhen he was invited to an event at Buckingham Palace. Swoon.
35of 51ROYAL READYIdris Elba TwitterAnd he looked very"proppa"at that royal event.
35of 51
ROYAL READY
And he looked very"proppa"at that royal event.
36of 51LAUGHING MATTERSDave Benett/GettyA sense of humor? Check.
36of 51
LAUGHING MATTERS
A sense of humor? Check.
37of 51HIGHWAY HOTTIEDavid M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty ImagesWe have a need for speed — and Idris.
37of 51
HIGHWAY HOTTIE
We have a need for speed — and Idris.
38of 51BOOK ITIdris Elba InstagramHead over toProject Literacyto listen to Idris reading a children’s book. You’re welcome.
38of 51
BOOK IT
Head over toProject Literacyto listen to Idris reading a children’s book. You’re welcome.
39of 51
HITTING THE PAVEMENT
FameFlynet
40of 51ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOUDave Benett/GettyIdris and Sabrina gave us #couplegoals at the Burberry London Fashion Week Show.
40of 51
ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU
Idris and Sabrina gave us #couplegoals at the Burberry London Fashion Week Show.
41of 51HOLIDAY HEATDave Benett/GettyAnd they also made us blush at a 2017 Christmas party.
41of 51
HOLIDAY HEAT
And they also made us blush at a 2017 Christmas party.
42of 51FITNESS FIRSTCan one ever have enough workout pics?
42of 51
FITNESS FIRST
Can one ever have enough workout pics?
43of 51POWERFUL IN PINKJohn Phillips/Getty ImagesHonestly, his T-shirt style is almost as drool-worthy as his formal looks.
43of 51
POWERFUL IN PINK
John Phillips/Getty Images
Honestly, his T-shirt style is almost as drool-worthy as his formal looks.
44of 51UP CLOSE AND PERSONALIdris Elba/InstagramHis eyes might actually havehypnotic powers.
44of 51
UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL
His eyes might actually havehypnotic powers.
45of 51GETTING CHEEKYDave J Hogan/GettyThese two really make that whole “don’t get jealous of other people’s relationships” thing a challenge.
45of 51
GETTING CHEEKY
Dave J Hogan/Getty
These two really make that whole “don’t get jealous of other people’s relationships” thing a challenge.
46of 51HE’S GOT THE LOOKJamie McCarthy/Getty ImagesSeriously, is there anything more powerful than Idris and his eye contact?
46of 51
HE’S GOT THE LOOK
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Seriously, is there anything more powerful than Idris and his eye contact?
47of 51HAPPY DAYSStefanie Keenan/Getty ImagesOh, right, his smile is also an incredible force.
47of 51
HAPPY DAYS
Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images
Oh, right, his smile is also an incredible force.
48of 51
SQUAD GOALS
Elba most recently joined the cast ofSuicide Squad,bringing his charm to the crew.
49of 51MAN OF EVERY YEARSamir Hussein/WireimageDays before his 49th birthday, got all dressed up for the GQ Men of the Year Awards in London.
49of 51
MAN OF EVERY YEAR
Samir Hussein/Wireimage
Days before his 49th birthday, got all dressed up for the GQ Men of the Year Awards in London.
50of 51
MORNING GLORY
When Elba sat down for a chat onThe Morningin London last year, it was a good morning, indeed.
51of 51LOVE ALLKarwai Tang/WireImageHe likes tennis (he and Sabrina went to Wimbledon in the summer of 2023) so now we do, too.Happy 51st birthday to one of our favorites!
51of 51
LOVE ALL
Karwai Tang/WireImage
He likes tennis (he and Sabrina went to Wimbledon in the summer of 2023) so now we do, too.
Happy 51st birthday to one of our favorites!
source: people.com
