British actor tipped to be hero of the new Star Wars films hides secret heartache: His sister was the last friend to see murdered schoolboy Damilola Taylor alive
23-year-old’s path to Hollywood started on tough estate in south London
His sister Grace walked with Damilola shortly before he was killed in 2000
She said: ‘He was so bubbly and enthusiastic – always smiling. When the teacher told us that Damilola had died I just couldn’t stop crying’
His sister Grace walked with Damilola shortly before he was killed in 2000
She said: ‘He was so bubbly and enthusiastic – always smiling. When the teacher told us that Damilola had died I just couldn’t stop crying’
John Boyega chosen to play Finn in Star Wars: The Force Awakens
He is the humble young hero of the new Star Wars trilogy whose new found international fame has made him a millionaire.
Londoner John Boyega is likely to be Britain’s next acting superstar after he was handpicked to play Finn in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
But the 23-year-old’s path to Hollywood started on a tough Peckham estate where his own life was touched by one of the capital’s most notorious murders.
His sister Grace was the last friend to see 10-year-old Damilola Taylor alive before he was stabbed to death on a stairwell close to Boyega’s family home.
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Path to stardom: Star Wars actor John Boyega is one of Hollywood’s hottest talents and his path to stardom started on a Peckham estate close to where Damilola Taylor was murdered
John Boyega’s sister was the last friend to see Damilola Taylor before he was murdered
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The actor’s family were close to Damilola’s parents Richard and Gloria
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Tragedy: John Boyega’s sister was the last friend to see Damilola Taylor, left, before he was murdered and the actor’s family were close to Damilola’s parents Richard and Gloria, right
Recalling: Remembering her friend, Grace Boyega (pictured) said in 2010: ‘After Damilola first arrived at the school I was the one who showed him around and we paired up together’
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Recalling: Remembering her friend, Grace Boyega (pictured) said in 2010: ‘After Damilola first arrived at the school I was the one who showed him around and we paired up together’
The Boyega family were close to Damilola and his parents Richard and Gloria, and classmate Grace had cared for him after arrived in Britain from Nigeria in 1999.
They all lived on the notorious North Peckham Estate and attended the Oliver Goldsmith Primary School.
Remembering her friend, Grace said in 2010: ‘After Damilola first arrived at the school I was the one who showed him around and we paired up together. I’d see him at every lunch and break time.
‘He was so bubbly and enthusiastic – always smiling. When the teacher told us that Damilola had died I just couldn’t stop crying.
‘For a long time I kept thinking that maybe I could have been there – that I could have followed him to his door and made sure he got in his house. I still feel as if it was yesterday.’
He is the humble young hero of the new Star Wars trilogy whose new found international fame has made him a millionaire.
Londoner John Boyega is likely to be Britain’s next acting superstar after he was handpicked to play Finn in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
But the 23-year-old’s path to Hollywood started on a tough Peckham estate where his own life was touched by one of the capital’s most notorious murders.
His sister Grace was the last friend to see 10-year-old Damilola Taylor alive before he was stabbed to death on a stairwell close to Boyega’s family home.
Scroll down for video
Path to stardom: Star Wars actor John Boyega is one of Hollywood’s hottest talents and his path to stardom started on a Peckham estate close to where Damilola Taylor was murdered
John Boyega’s sister was the last friend to see Damilola Taylor before he was murdered
+9
The actor’s family were close to Damilola’s parents Richard and Gloria
+9
Tragedy: John Boyega’s sister was the last friend to see Damilola Taylor, left, before he was murdered and the actor’s family were close to Damilola’s parents Richard and Gloria, right
Recalling: Remembering her friend, Grace Boyega (pictured) said in 2010: ‘After Damilola first arrived at the school I was the one who showed him around and we paired up together’
+9
Recalling: Remembering her friend, Grace Boyega (pictured) said in 2010: ‘After Damilola first arrived at the school I was the one who showed him around and we paired up together’
The Boyega family were close to Damilola and his parents Richard and Gloria, and classmate Grace had cared for him after arrived in Britain from Nigeria in 1999.
They all lived on the notorious North Peckham Estate and attended the Oliver Goldsmith Primary School.
Remembering her friend, Grace said in 2010: ‘After Damilola first arrived at the school I was the one who showed him around and we paired up together. I’d see him at every lunch and break time.
‘He was so bubbly and enthusiastic – always smiling. When the teacher told us that Damilola had died I just couldn’t stop crying.
‘For a long time I kept thinking that maybe I could have been there – that I could have followed him to his door and made sure he got in his house. I still feel as if it was yesterday.’
The sister
Recalling: Remembering her friend, Grace Boyega (pictured) said in 2010: ‘After Damilola first arrived at the school I was the one who showed him around and we paired up together’
‘Star Wars’ actor Harrison Ford is spotted taking flight at the Santa Monica Airport with his family in Santa Monica, California.
Harrison, who turned 73 years old today, was headed to wine country with his wife Calista Flockhart, their son Liam and friends.
Home: John lived on the notorious North Peckham Estate where Damilola Taylor was murdered by two brothers 15 years ago
Support: The actor was inspired to act by his preacher father Samson and mother Abigail, left and right, but the Star Wars plot is so secretive he has also kept them in the dark
Path: John, pictured last month with Chiwetel Ejiofor and Samuel L. Jackson, starting acting at school where teachers quickly saw his talent, leading to him being first choice to play Finn in Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Big hit: John was a gang leader Moses in Attack The Block, where sci-fi film where aliens attack a London estate
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