It takes a unique combination of talent and luck for an actor to create an iconic role, and British actor Idris Elba had heaps of both at his disposal when Stringer Bell came along. Stringer, for the uninitiated, was the dark heart of the first few seasons of HBO's now iconic series "The Wire," a show that lagged in ratings and Emmys, but was regarded by critics -- and just about everyone else who saw it -- as the greatest drama in the history of television.But while appearing on a show of this sort is no guarantee of future stardom -- especially for a show with as large an ensemble cast as "The Wire" -- Elba's good fortune has continued. Commercially, he's had successes such as co-starring opposite Beyonce in the stalker-thriller "Obsessed" and guest starring in an arc on NBC's "The Office." But his most challenging and critically acclaimed post-Wire project has been as Detective John Luther, a man torn between doing good and the attraction of evil, on BBC's "Luther," which aired on BBC America in the U.S., and recently released its four-episode second season on DVD. Idris ElbaPhoto by PR PhotosSo would you say you live pretty frugally in general?I'm generally conscious. I DJ and produce, so if I buy anything, it's most likely for the studio. I have a really great studio I'm proud of, and that's where, if I splurge on anything, I buy me a nice drum machine or a nice bit of equipment. That's really where I spoil myself -- in my studio in L.A. Prev More On Celebrities And Money:Money Q&A with Lisa Lampanelli'Entourage's' Constance Zimmer talks moneyCreate a news alert for "smart spending" advertisementRelated Links:6 financial tips for the self-employedElmore Leonard 'justifies' his frugal livingSlow but steady grows the Florida economyRelated Articles:7 deadly money mistakesSave this wedding seasonSurvey Sweepstakes Official Rules
It takes a unique combination of talent and luck for an actor to create an iconic role, and British actor Idris Elba had heaps of both at his disposal when Stringer Bell came along. Stringer, for the uninitiated, was the dark heart of the first few seasons of HBO's now iconic series "The Wire," a show that lagged in ratings and Emmys, but was regarded by critics -- and just about everyone else who saw it -- as the greatest drama in the history of television.But while appearing on a show of this sort is no guarantee of future stardom -- especially for a show with as large an ensemble cast as "The Wire" -- Elba's good fortune has continued. Commercially, he's had successes such as co-starring opposite Beyonce in the stalker-thriller "Obsessed" and guest starring in an arc on NBC's "The Office." But his most challenging and critically acclaimed post-Wire project has been as Detective John Luther, a man torn between doing good and the attraction of evil, on BBC's "Luther," which aired on BBC America in the U.S., and recently released its four-episode second season on DVD.
I'm generally conscious. I DJ and produce, so if I buy anything, it's most likely for the studio. I have a really great studio I'm proud of, and that's where, if I splurge on anything, I buy me a nice drum machine or a nice bit of equipment. That's really where I spoil myself -- in my studio in L.A.
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