Actor, model Niki Iliev, followed the film path taken by his father Bulgarian film director Boyko Iliev. He was born on October 10, 1981 in Sofia, Bulgaria and attended the New Bulgarian University, graduating in film directing. However, Niki changed paths and pursued acting instead of directing. Since 2003, Niki has enjoyed a steady run of several film shorts and television outings and movies. He utilized his knowledge of film-making for the 2012 film The Foreigner which he directed. His model-quality good looks could be credited to his constant practice in sports and martial arts.