Adam Steven Deacon (born 4 March 1983) is an English actor, rapper, writer and director. He is known for his lead role in the films ''
Kidulthood
''Kidulthood'' (stylised as ''KiDULTHOOD'') is a 2006 British crime drama film directed by Menhaj Huda and written by Noel Clarke, who appeared in the film alongside Aml Ameen, Red Madrell, Adam Deacon, Jaime Winstone, Femi Oyeniran, Madelei ...
'', sequel ''
Adulthood
An adult is a human or other animal that has reached full growth. In human context, the term ''adult'' has meanings associated with social and legal concepts. In contrast to a " minor", a legal adult is a person who has attained the age of major ...
'' and for his directorial debut, ''
Anuvahood''.
Career
Deacon was brought up by his English mother in
Stoke Newington
Stoke Newington is an area occupying the north-west part of the London Borough of Hackney in north-east London, England. It is northeast of Charing Cross. The Manor of Stoke Newington gave its name to Stoke Newington the ancient parish.
The ...
, Hackney. His father is Moroccan.
His father walked out on the family when Deacon was two years old, and to this date the pair have never had any contact.
["Crunchtime for Hackney actor and BAFTA hopeful Adam Deacon"](_blank)
, ''Hackney Gazette'', 8 February 2012.
Although his acting career began with guest appearances in Bill's New Frock, ''
Shooters'', ''
Ali G Indahouse
''Ali G Indahouse'' is a 2002 British comedy film written by Sacha Baron Cohen and Dan Mazer, directed by Mark Mylod, and starring Baron Cohen as Ali G, the character he originally played on the Channel 4 comedy series '' The 11 O'Clock Show'' ...
'' and ''
The Bill
''The Bill'' is a British police procedural television series, first broadcast on ITV from 16 August 1983 until 31 August 2010. The programme originated from a one-off drama, '' Woodentop'', broadcast in August 1983.
The programme focused on ...
'', he also starred in the ITV drama ''Wall of Silence'' in 2004. Deacon's breakthrough came when he landed a starring role in the urban drama film ''
Kidulthood
''Kidulthood'' (stylised as ''KiDULTHOOD'') is a 2006 British crime drama film directed by Menhaj Huda and written by Noel Clarke, who appeared in the film alongside Aml Ameen, Red Madrell, Adam Deacon, Jaime Winstone, Femi Oyeniran, Madelei ...
''. He then worked with the film's writer and director
Noel Clarke
Noel Anthony Clarke (born 6 December 1975) is a British actor, screenwriter, director, and comic book writer. Rising to prominence for playing Mickey Smith in ''Doctor Who'' (2005–2010), he played Sam in the films ''Kidulthood'' (2006), ''Adu ...
on a number of other projects until 2011, including the sequel ''
Adulthood
An adult is a human or other animal that has reached full growth. In human context, the term ''adult'' has meanings associated with social and legal concepts. In contrast to a " minor", a legal adult is a person who has attained the age of major ...
'', ''
4.3.2.1.
''4.3.2.1.'' (which stands for "4 girls, 3 days, 2 cities, 1 chance") is a 2010 British crime thriller film directed by Noel Clarke and Mark Davis, written by Clarke and starring Emma Roberts, Tamsin Egerton, Ophelia Lovibond, Shanika-Warre ...
'' and the one-off television pilot ''
West 10 LDN
''West 10 LDN'' was a one-off BBC Three youth drama, written and created by Noel Clarke and directed by Menhaj Huda, first broadcast on 10 March 2008. The screenplay was based on the novel ''Society Within'', a short story collection by Courtt ...
''.
Deacon co-wrote, co-directed and played the lead role in urban comedy ''
Anuvahood''. Following this, ''
Time Out'' magazine labeled Deacon "The New Face of Youth Cinema". In February 2012, he won the
BAFTA Rising Star Award
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Rising Star Award, currently styled as the EE Rising Star Award for commercial reasons and previously known as the Orange Rising Star Award, is an award that acknowledges new talents in the ...
.
Deacon has since appeared in many lead and supporting roles in feature films, including ''
Bonded by Blood
''Bonded by Blood'' is the debut studio album by American thrash metal band Exodus. Although the album was completed in the summer of 1984, it was not released until 1985 due to issues with Exodus and the record label. It is considered one of t ...
'', ''
Jack Falls
''Jack Falls'' is a 2011 British independent feature film starring Simon Phillips, Jason Flemying, Dexter Fletcher, Alan Ford, Adam Deacon, Martin Kemp, Tamer Hassan, Olivia Hallinan, Doug Bradley, Jing Lusi and Zach Galligan and the thir ...
'', ''
Shank'', ''
Everywhere and Nowhere
''Everywhere and Nowhere'' is a 2011 coming of age British drama film focusing on the identity struggles of Ash ( James Floyd) a young British Pakistani who is torn between the traditions of middle-class family life and his passion for DJing. Th ...
'' and ''
Payback Season
''Payback Season'' is a British drama film written by Danny Donnelly and Jenny Fitzpatrick that was released to cinemas on 9 March 2012. The film was directed by Danny Donnelly, and stars Adam Deacon, Nichola Burley and Leo Gregory.
Plot
Jero ...
''.
He had a guest role in ''
Victim
Victim(s) or The Victim may refer to:
People
* Crime victim
* Victim, in psychotherapy, a posited role in the Karpman drama triangle model of transactional analysis
Films and television
* ''The Victim'' (1916 film), an American silent film by ...
''. In November 2012, he co-hosted the
Music of Black Origin Awards
The MOBO Awards (Music of Black Origin, also known as the MOBOs) are an annual British music award presentation honouring achievements in " music of black origin", including hip hop, grime, UK Drill, R&B, soul, reggae, jazz, gospel, and ...
telecast with
Miquita Oliver
Miquita Billie Alexandra Oliver (born 25 April 1984) is a British television presenter and radio personality. With Simon Amstell, she co-hosted Channel 4's '' Popworld'' from 2001 to 2006. Miquita then went on to present on T4 from 2006 to 201 ...
where Deacon played a comical part in the awards. In May 2021, he appeared in an episode of the
BBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC
Here i going to introduce about the best teacher of my life b BALAJI sir. He is the precious gift that I got befor 2yrs . How has helped and thought all the concept and made my success in the 10th board exam. ...
...
.
at West London Magistrates' Court, having had a highly publicised feud with Noel Clarke with accusations of Clarke bullying him and sabotaging Deacon's career, which Clarke stated was not true. On 20 July, Deacon was found guilty.
, banned Deacon from contacting Clarke again.
On 7 April 2016, he was arrested after police were called to reports of a man reportedly armed with a
style knife and threatening members of the public in London.
He was unable to attend a hearing in March due to being "in hospital for treatment for underlying mental health issues". On 7 April, a jury delivered two not-guilty verdicts for affray and possessing an offensive weapon accepting Deacon was mentally ill and not criminally responsible for his actions.