Photo: Nightscream / CC BY 3.0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)
My Take
Few performers have absorbed as much unfair blame as Ahmed Best. He gave voice and body to Jar Jar Binks and was punished with ridicule and a Razzie, yet I find that judgment deeply unjust. Learning he is a New York stage actor and jazz percussionist reframes everything: that character's odd, rubbery physicality was the work of a trained musician's body. Lucas kept collaborating with him across films and Clone Wars episodes, which quietly vindicates his craft. What I admire most is that he never curdled into bitterness but kept performing. That resilience earns my lasting respect.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Ahmed Best
- Name (Japanese)
- アーメド・ベスト
- Reading
- あーめど・べすと
- Born
- August 19, 1973 (age 52)
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Leo / Ox
- Origin
- New York City, New York, United States
- Blood type
- Private
- Height
- Private
- Agency
- Private
- Occupation
- actor / voice actor / stage actor / jazz musician / percussionist
2. Background
- Elementary school
- Private
- Junior high
- Private
- High school
- Columbia High School
- University
- Private
Awards & achievements
- Golden Raspberry Awards
3. Relationships
- Spouse
- Private
- Children
- Private
- Parents
- Private
- Siblings
- Private
4. Personality
Motto
Private
5. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable work | Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace | — |
6. Links
- Official sitehttp://www.ahmedbest.com/
- Wikipedia (Japanese)https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%A2%E3%83%BC%E3%83%A1%E3%83%89%E3%83%BB%E3%83%99%E3%82%B9%E3%83%88
Frequently asked questions
When was Ahmed Best born?
Born August 19, 1973 (age 52).
Where is Ahmed Best from?
Ahmed Best is from New York City, New York, United States.
What does Ahmed Best do?
Ahmed Best works as actor, voice actor, stage actor, jazz musician, percussionist.
What is Ahmed Best known for?
Notable works include Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace.
Actor — see all → · Voice actor — see all → · More people from United States →
7. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-18
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public items are marked "Private / Unknown". English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.