Damson Idris, the British-Nigerian actor known for his breakout role as Franklin Saint in Snowfall, comes from a deeply rooted Nigerian immigrant family that emphasized hard work, culture, and education. His journey from the streets of Peckham to the Hollywood spotlight is distinctly shaped by his parents’ sacrifices and values. Understanding the influence of his mother and father reveals how his upbringing in a close-knit yet ambitious household created the foundation for his success in acting and beyond.
Immigrant Roots and Family Background
Damson Idris, born Adamson AladeBo Idris on 2 September 1991 in Peckham, South East London, is the youngest of six children in a Nigerian Yoruba household
His Mother’s Influence
Silifat played an outsized role in Damson’s life. As a single parent, she worked multiple jobs to support six children, while ensuring her home stayed vibrant and encouraging
Values Instilled by Mom
- Hard work and perseverance even through financial hardship
- Appreciation for culture and language Yoruba fluency was encouraged
- Continuous gratitude Damson practices daily thankfulness, attributing it to his mother’s influence
Father’s Role and Family Support
While less often in the spotlight, Damson’s father also contributed to the family’s stable upbringing. The whole family embraced a unified drive toward success his older siblings pursued careers in law, business, and technology
Parental Sacrifices and Encouragement
Damson has explained that the entire family supported his career pivot from sports to acting. After a football injury canceled his hopes of becoming a soccer pro, his mother and father encouraged him to follow his passion leading to his enrollment in drama programs at Brunel University
Parental Belief in Education
and Its Impact
Education was not just valued it was expected. All five of Damson’s siblings earned degrees, creating a powerful family legacy of academic success
Supportive Environment for Creative Pursuits
- His siblings cheered his early theatrical performances at local London venues
- His parents never pressured him to conform, instead trusting him to carve his own path
Preserving Cultural Identity at Home
The Idris household celebrated Nigerian culture as an essential part of daily life. Damson often shares stories of his mother playing Fuji music, taking him to mosque, and keeping Yoruba traditions alive at home
Why Culture Matters to Him
- He credits his mother for instilling confidence in his Nigerian identity
- Damson uses his platform to proudly represent Nigerian heritage on global stages like the Met Gala
Parental Support in His Career Journey
Damson frequently acknowledges his parents’ role in his career. His mother has flown from Lagos to support him, such as attending the NAACP Image Awards calling her his good luck charm
Mom in the Audience
Damson said that the one year his mom accompanied him backstage, he finally secured a win at NAACP underscoring the emotional impact her presence had on him
Legacy and New Endeavors
Inspired by his mother’s resourcefulness, Damson launched his luxury jewelry brand, DIDRIS, debuting it at the 2025 Met Gala
Parental Values in His Brand
- Celebration of quality and culture
- Legacy inspired by mother’s European gold-trading years
- Rooted in humility and gratitude, values his parents instilled
Damson Idris’s accomplishments are built on the foundations laid by his parents. His mother’s unwavering support, entrepreneurial drive, and cultural pride, coupled with his father’s encouragement and a family tradition of education, provided him a launchpad to greatness. As he continues to break ground in acting and entrepreneurship, he carries with him the lessons of resilience, identity, and ambition his parents ingrained. Their story is not only behind the man he’s become but also woven into every new success he achieves.