Meet John Boyega, the 23-year-old 'Star Wars' star who's having his Hollywood breakthrough

John Boyega is a "Star Wars" fanboy.And now, the 23-year-old from London is living out his dream as Finn, one of the lead characters in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."Before Boyega was cast as the runaway Stormtrooper in the newest addition to the "Star Wars" galaxy, he was building his name withindie projects. Hemade his feature-film debut when he was 19 in"Attack the Block," a British sci-fi comedy written and directed byJoe Cornish. He earned praise for the role, whichlanded him on director J.J. Abrams' radar.With the December 18 release of "The Force Awakens," Boyega is primed for his shot up the Hollywood ladder.Get to know the newmember of the "Star Wars" universe below:SEE ALSO:Meet Daisy Ridley, the 23-year-old who snagged a lead role in 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' ' her Hollywood career is about to blow upJohn Boyega was born March 17, 1992 in Peckham, London to Nigerian immigrants. His father was a preacher and his mother worked with the disabled. After playing a leopard in elementary school, Boyega knew he wanted to act.Source:New York Timesand InterviewHe was invited to join Theatre Peckham when he was nine, a special theater school for aspiring actors. He later studied performing arts at South Thames College and trained at the Identity School of Acting.Source:CNNHis earliest roles included a character on the British web drama series "Becoming Human" and a guest appearance on "Law & Order: UK."See the rest of the story at Business Insider
Click here to read full news..