Aspiring actor Salimou Thiam embarks on his journey from school productions to the glamorous world of Hollywood.
In a thrilling turn of events, 19-year-old actor Salimou Thiam from Bielefeld has secured a role in the highly anticipated "The Hunger Games" film series. This marks Thiam's first appearance in a Hollywood blockbuster.
The journey began in May 2025 when Thiam received a call from his agent about a casting for "The Hunger Games." The dystopian trilogy, penned by American author Suzanne Collins, has been adapted into films since 2012 and is known for its action-packed and gory scenes. Thiam will be joining stars like Ralph Fiennes, Glenn Close, and Jesse Plemons in the upcoming film.
Thiam's rise to Hollywood fame began in his school theater, where he soon landed his first leading role. His talent did not go unnoticed, and he quickly became known among children as a young shooting star. His popularity grew further after the airing of the 26 episodes of "Uferpark" on RTL+ and Toggo, with fans recognising him on the street.
Thiam's versatility extends beyond acting. He has written poems, sung, shown interest in photography, and modeled. His breakout role, however, came as BMX rider and rapper Ben in the teen spin-off of the German soap "Gute Zeiten, schlechte Zeiten."
Currently, Thiam is filming an episode of the RTL+ crime series "Behringer and the Dead" in Bavaria. In the coming weeks, he will also be shooting a short film in Bielefeld with actors from the local city theater.
Thiam's role in "The Hunger Games" sees him as Clayton, an introverted character from District 9. With the filming taking place in northern Spain, it's no surprise that the historic fortress of Sparrenburg in Bielefeld could make a suitable setting for a Hollywood blockbuster like "The Hunger Games."
As Thiam prepares for the release of "The Hunger Games" in November 2026, he is also planning to move to Berlin due to more projects there. The future looks bright for this young talent, and we can't wait to see what he does next.
