Africa's Presence in Hollywood

Over the past few years we've noticed a growing presence of African actors appearing in big name Hollywood films.  While slaying Hollywood with their talent, style and flavor, many of these actors and actresses are paving the way for other up-and-coming African actors to break through the mainstream, Hollywood glass ceiling.

 Lupita Nyong'o

 

Best known for her break out role in the critically acclaimed film 12 Years a Slave, Mexican born (I know, right!) Kenyan actress, Lupita Nyong'o has certainly left her mark on Hollywood.  Armed with her Yale degree, killer fashion sense and impressive acting ability Lupita has been receiving much praise both from her peers and movie lovers alike.  With 12 Years a Slave being just her first movie(!) we can't wait to see what else this beautiful African actress has in store.  Lupita's next film Non-Stop starring Liam Neeson is scheduled for release in February 2014- can't wait!

Idris Elba

 Idris Elba is certainly not a new comer to Hollywood, in fact he's been acting for quite sometime.  Born of a Senegalese father and Ghanaian mother, Idris was born and raised in the UK where he first began acting.  Having stared in various television series and movies both in the UK and in the US, Idris has left women all over the world swooning over his gorgeous looks, charming personality, and English style sensibility.  Idris has recently received a lot of attention for his portrayal of Nelson Mandela in the brilliant film Long Walk to Freedom but has also starred in Takers, Pacific Rim, Luthor, and Obsession, to name a few. Oh, and did I mention how sexy he is? Mmmmmm

Chiwetel Ejiofor

Born in London, England to Nigerian parents, Chiwetel made his film debut in 1996 on the television  film Deadly Vogage.  Just a year later he was cast in the critically acclaimed film Amistad alongside  fellow African actor, Djimon Hounsou.  Since then Chiwetel has gone on to star in notable films including Red Dust with Hilary Swank, Children of Men with Clive Owen and, most recently, the lead role in 12 Years a Slave with Lupita Nyong'o.  With Chiwetel's debonaire sense of style and excellent acting chops we can't wait to see what role this African actor takes on next!

Sophie Okondeo

 Born in the UK to a Jewish mother and Nigerian father, the beautiful Sophie Okonedo made her acting debut in 1991 in the British drama Young Soul Rebels.  She received an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actress for her performance in Hotel Rawanda along side Don Cheadle and has also starred in Aeon Flux, Ace Ventura, Dirty Pretty things with Chitewel Ejiofor, and The Secret Life of Bees with Dakota Fanning and Queen Latifah; to name a few. Most recently, the beautiful actress starred along side Will and Jaden Smith in After Earth.

David Oyelowo

 British-born, Nigerian actor David Oyelowo began his acting career in the British theater, staring in various stage productions and winning the Ian Charleson award for best performance by an actor under 30 in a classical play for his portrayal of an English King in This England: The Histories.  He was the first black actor cast in this role.  David went on to star in television shows and movies; most notably The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency alongside Jill Scott and Anika Noni Rose and Lee Daniels: The Butler with Forrest Whittaker and Oprah Winfrey. It was recently revealed that David will be playing the starring role of Martin Luther King Jr. in the civil rights drama Selma, which is to be Oprah Winfrey's first production. We're definitely excited about this one!

With all of this great talent we're excited to see what else these beautiful African actors and actresses have in store!