Ahmed Best

Early life

1973–1993: Childhood and education

Ahmed Best was born in New York City on August 19, 1973. 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. He attended Columbia High School, graduating in 1991. He then studied percussion at the Manhattan School of Music.

Career

1994–1995: Early work

In 1994, Best joined the acid jazz group the Jazzhole and was a member 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 Stomp. He toured with the cast throughout the US and Europe.

''Star Wars''

1997–2014: ''Star Wars'' prequel trilogy and ''The Clone Wars''

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). His first audition for George Lucas "was a motion-capture session." He wore a full body suit on set during principal photography and originally, it was planned to only animate his character's head. His choreographed body movements provided 'reference points for the digital artists at ILM.' Lucas asked him to voice Jar Jar. Best described his character as, "A loyal, honest, innocent character who really means well." His involvement on the production is featured in the 2001 documentary The Beginning: Making Star Wars Episode I.

Best 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 The Colbert Report. Best also portrayed an Outlander Club patron, Achk Med-Beq in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones. C-3PO actor, Anthony Daniels told Best "that they were going to let [him] reveal [his] face" in the film so Best decided to take part in the scene. His character can be seen in the Outlander Club on Coruscant when Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi pursue the changeling assassin Zam Wesell.

Initially, Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace received mixed reviews, but 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. This evoked support from fans and some of the cast including Frank Oz and Star Wars: The Last Jedi film director, Rian Johnson. 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!" 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."

2019: Reappraisal

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." 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. 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." Jake Lloyd who also faced criticism over his performance also praised Best for his humour saying, "He is one of the coolest guys that I've ever met." Daniels defended Best praising him for his intelligence and energy and saying that the criticism he faced "was beyond cruel."

In 2019, as part of the 20th anniversary, Best cited the audience for which The Phantom Menace was aimed 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." 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. 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. Lucas named Jar Jar as his favourite character and praised Best, saying, "Ahmed, you did a fantastic job. It was very, very hard."

Best appeared with fellow Star Wars alumni Dee Bradley Baker, James Arnold Taylor, and Daran Norris on the TV show Big Time Rush. 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.

2020–present: Return to ''Star Wars'' franchise

right

 —Best talking about Jedi Master Kelleran Beq to ''[[Star Wars Insider]]''

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. Best reprised the role of Beq in the third season of The Mandalorian, a live-action series set in the Star Wars universe. His character rescued Grogu from Darth Sidious's Jedi Purge and acted as his protector preceding the Mandalorian.

Dave Filoni said, "We love Ahmed, and he did such a great job. It was a real thrill for us to get him involved." Filoni and Jon Favreau said that there is a possibility that Best could appear as Kelleran Beq again. Best confirmed that Kelleran Beq is related to Achk Med-Beq. 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”. He has expressed an interest in exploring Kelleran Beq further and doing "a Star Wars martial arts show".

Best voiced Darth Jar Jar, a Sith Lord version of his character in Lego Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy (2024-2025). He reprised this role in the video game Fortnite Battle Royale.

Best has attended several conventions as part of Star Wars Celebration as a guest since 1999. He attended Star Wars Celebration Japan in April 2025.

On October 11, 2025, an upcoming Marvel Comics comic book title, Jar Jar Binks, 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.

Other work

In addition to his acting roles, Best has worked as an adjunct professor at Stanford University. His Stanford classes have touched on subjects such as art and Afrofuturism.

In 2008, he also wrote, directed, and produced the pilot for a television show called This Can't Be My Life.

Best holds the rank of Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Filmography

Film

Television

Documentary

Music

Video games

Theatre

Discography

References

Footnotes

Citations

Print sources

References

1. (2021). "Star Wars: A Visual History". [[DK (publisher).
2. (2018). "Playing to the Crowd: Musicians, Audiences, and the Intimate Work of Connection". NYU Press.
3. Givens, Roy. [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105640706/ahmed-best-of-soundview-and-maplewood/ "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."
4. (October 20, 2009). "Bio".
5. (January 5, 2019). "Jar Jar Binks Actor Ahmed Best Opens Up About Racism-Fueled Backlash".
6. (July 4, 2018). "Star Wars actor: 'I considered suicide'". [[BBC News]].
7. (14 September 2020). "Liam Neeson Praises Jar Jar Binks Actor While Defending ''The Phantom Menace''". MovieWeb.
8. (17 December 2019). "We meet Anthony Daniels: the man behind C-3PO". Big Issue.
9. (24 May 2019). ""All Films Are Personal": An Oral History of Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace".
10. (17 April 2019). "Star Wars: George Lucas names Jar Jar Binks as his favourite character". BBC News.
11. Parker, Ryan. "Jar Jar Binks Actor Says He Considered Suicide After 'Star Wars' Backlash". [[The Hollywood Reporter]].
12. (16 April 2025). "Joe Johnston, Ahmed Best, and ILM Talk Light & Magic Season 2". Lucasfilm.
13. (May 27, 2020). "Star Wars: Jedi Temple Challenge to debut on 3 June on Star Wars Kids". [[Lucasfilm]].
14. (May 27, 2020). "The Force Is Strong With This Epic 'Star Wars: Jedi Temple Challenge' Trailer". [[Collider (website).
15. "Updated: Star Wars: Jedi Temple Challenge to debut on June 10 on Star Wars Kids". [[Lucasfilm]].
16. (June 4, 2020). "Star Wars Jedi Temple Challenge premiere delayed in light of protests".
17. (June 4, 2020). "Star Wars: Jedi Temple Challenge Show Delays Premiere".
18. Ross, Dalton. (March 22, 2023). "Meesa back! Jar Jar Binks actor Ahmed Best returns to Star Wars as a Mandalorian Jedi".
19. (22 March 2023). "Who is The Mandalorian's Kelleran Beq? Star Wars icon Ahmed Best returns". RadioTimes.com.
20. (12 May 2023). "Ahmed Best could return to The Mandalorian as Kelleran Beq". [[Entertainment Weekly]].
21. (28 July 2023). "‘The lowest I've ever been’: how playing Jar Jar Binks led to abuse, near death – and saving Baby Yoda". [[The Guardian]].
22. (6 May 2024). "Get Ready for Darth Jar Jar, TIE-Wings, and More in LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy - Updated".
23. (14 August 2025). "A Giant Chewbacca Joins the Fight in New LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy - Pieces of the Past Trailer".
24. (20 April 2025). "Fortnite is getting a Star Wars Battle Royale with Darth Jar Jar".
25. (8 March 2019). "Solo's Erin Kellyman and Ahmed Best of the Prequel Trilogy Coming to Star Wars Celebration Chicago". StarWars.com.
26. (19 February 2025). "Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025 - Celebrity Guests". StarWars.com.
27. (11 October 2025). "NYCC 2025: All the News and Reveals from the Lucasfilm Publishing Panel".
28. Tiet, Amanda. (March 3, 2022). "Masters of Creativity: Overcoming Creative Blocks w/ Ahmed Best". Stanford University.
29. . (March 24, 2023). ["Ahmed Best on His Surprise Return as Kelleran Beq in The Mandalorian"](https://www.starwars.com/news/ahmed-best-the-mandalorian-interview). *Lucasfilm*.
30. "Ahmed Best (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors.
31. (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".
32. (2015). "[[Disney Infinity 3.0]]".
33. (April 14, 2020). "Fallout 76: Wastelanders DLC". Bethesda Softworks.
34. (12 November 2024). "South of Midnight documentary features Jar Jar Binks actor, details game's world, creatures and representation".