Abel Tesfaye
Biography
Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, born February 16, 1990, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, is a Canadian singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor. Professionally known as The Weeknd, he is recognized for his artistic reinventions, unconventional music production, and signature use of the falsetto register. His extensive list of accolades includes 4 Grammy Awards, 20 Billboard Music Awards, 22 Juno Awards, 6 American Music Awards, 2 MTV Video Music Awards, and a Latin Grammy Award. Additionally, he has received nominations for an Academy Award and a Primetime Emmy Award. Tesfaye is also known by the names Kin Kane and Abel Tes. He maintains a career that spans both the music industry and acting, with 45 known credits listed in his professional portfolio.
Career overview
Abel Tesfaye first gained prominence as a musician, achieving significant critical and commercial success with his second album, Beauty Behind the Madness, released in 2015. The album reached number one in the United States and featured the chart-topping single Can't Feel My Face. His musical journey also includes the release of the mixtape House of Balloons and the popular song Blinding Lights. These works established his reputation as a versatile artist known for his distinct vocal style and consistent chart performance.
Beyond his musical contributions, Tesfaye has expanded his professional profile into the field of acting. He is recognized for his work in television, specifically noted for his involvement in the production titled The Idol. With 45 known credits to his name, his career reflects a transition between high-profile music production and screen performance. He continues to be identified as a multi-talented figure in the entertainment industry, balancing his established history as a singer and songwriter with his ongoing pursuits as an actor.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full filmography
- Hurry Up Tomorrow (2025) as The Weeknd
- Hurry Up Tomorrow (2025) Producer
- Hurry Up Tomorrow (2025) Original Music Composer
- Hurry Up Tomorrow (2025) Writer
- Hurry Up Tomorrow (2025) Songs
- The Weeknd - Red Terror (2025)
- Quincy Jones, Music Man (2025) as Self (archive footage)
- Remember To Enjoy The Light Before It’s Gone (2025) as The Weeknd (voice)
- Billions Club Live with The Weeknd: A Concert Film (2025) as Self
- Playboi Carti - Live at Rolling Loud California 2025 (2025)
- TMZ Presents: The Downfall of Diddy (2024) as Self (archive footage)
- The Weeknd: Live at São Paulo (2024) as Self
- The Weeknd: Live at São Paulo (2024) Original Music Composer
- The Idol (2023) as Tedros
- The Idol (2023) Executive Producer
- The Idol (2023) Story
- The Idol (2023) Original Music Composer
- The Idol (2023) Creator
- The Weeknd - Double Fantasy (2023) as Tedros
- The Weeknd: Live at SoFi Stadium (2023) as Self
- The Weeknd: Live at SoFi Stadium (2023) Executive Producer
- The Weeknd: Live at SoFi Stadium (2023) Music Director
- Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) Songs
- The Weeknd: 103.5 Dawn FM (2022) as Self
- The Weeknd: 103.5 Dawn FM (2022) Executive Producer
- The Weeknd x The Dawn FM Experience (2022) as Self
- The Weeknd x The Dawn FM Experience (2022) Writer
- Echoes of Silence (2021) as Singer
- Echoes of Silence (2021) Music
- Canadian Hits at the BBC (2021) as Self
- The Show (2021) as Performer
- The Weeknd Reads GQ Until The Lights Go Out (2021) as The Weeknd
- iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2020 (2020)
- Uncut Gems (2019) as The Weeknd
- Black Panther (2018) Songs
- He Was Never There, Docupoem (2018) as Self
- The Weeknd - iHeartRadio Music Festival (2017) as Singer
- The Weeknd: Lollapalooza Brazil (2017) as Singer
- AWGE DVD: Volume 1 (2017) as Self
- Lemonade (2016) as Self (voice) (uncredited)
- Michael Jackson's Journey from Motown to Off the Wall (2016) as Self
- Fifty Shades of Grey (2015) Songs
- Taylor Swift: The 1989 World Tour - Live (2015) as Self - Musical Guest
- The Weeknd - Apple Music Festival: London 2015 (2015) as Self
- The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014) as Self
- The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013) Songs
- BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge (2010) as Self
- The Graham Norton Show (2007) as Self
- American Dad! (2005) as The Weeknd (voice)
- American Dad! (2005) Writer
- Robot Chicken (2005) as Madea / Dinosaur Auctioneer / S.W.A.T. Member (voice)
- Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2003) as Self - Musical Guest
- Victoria's Secret Fashion Show (1995) as Self
- MTV Europe Music Awards (1994) as Self - Performer
- The Simpsons (1989) as Orion Hughes / Darius Hughes (voice)
- MTV Video Music Awards (1984) as Self
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self - Musical Guest
- American Music Awards (1974) as Self - Musical Guest
- The Grammys (1959) as Self
- The Oscars (1953) as Self