Oliver Musila Litondo (born 1948) is a Kenyan actor, journalist and news anchor.[1] He is known for portraying Kimani Maruge in the 2010 biographical film The First Grader. [2] For his portrayal as Maruge, Litondo won the AARP Movies for Grownups Award for Best Actor[3][4][5] and the Black Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actor.[6][7][8] He was also nominated for the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture for his performance in The First Grader.[3][5][9]
Oliver Litondo | |
|---|---|
| Born | Oliver Musila Litondo 1948 |
| Nationality | Kenyan |
| Alma mater | Harvard University Stockholm University University of Iowa |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, Journalist and news anchor. |
| Spouse | Beldina. |
| Awards | AARP Movies for Grownups Award for Best Actor |
Litondo's first known role is in Ragbir Singh's Mlevi (The Drunkard) (1968), the first feature length film in Swahili and considered the first locally produced Kenyan feature film. In a 2024 segment on KCB Channel 1 about the history of Kenyan film, Litondo said that he tried unsuccessfully to locate this pioneering film. [10] [11][12]
Litondo is a graduate of the University of Iowa, Stockholm University and Harvard University.[13] He is married to Beldina.[3] Litondo is a recipient of the Kalasha Lifetime Achievement award.[3]
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Mlevi | Film | |
| 1975 | The Wilby Conspiracy | [13] | |
| 1980 | The Bushtrackers | Johnny Kimathi | |
| 1984 | Sheena | Harcomba | |
| 1988 | The Lion of Africa | Sergeant | TV movie |
| 1990 | Ivory Hunters | Kenneth | |
| 2010 | The First Grader | Kimani Ng'ang'a Maruge | |
| 2011 | The Rugged Priest | Catholic Bishop | |
| 2022 | Birthday Live | Daudi | To Be Released |
References
edit- ^ Clarke, Cath (12 May 2011). "First sight: Oliver Musila Litondo". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
- ^ Kerongo, Grace (26 July 2013). "Kenya: Oliver Litondo Bags Role in U.S. Crime Thriller". AllAfrica.com. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
- ^ a b c d MARGARETTA WA GACHERU (20 August 2013). "Oliver Litondo: From Hollywood with goodies". Daily Nation. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
- ^ Potts, Kimberly (20 January 2012). "AARP's Best Movie for Grownups? 'The Descendants'". Reuters. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
- ^ a b "Another starring role for Oliver Litondo". Business Daily Africa. 29 March 2015. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
- ^ Kilday, Gregg (20 December 2011). "'The Help' Named Best Film of 2011 by Black Film Critics Circle". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
- ^ "'The Help' Voted Best Pic By Black Critics; Viola Davis, Olivier Litondo Top Actors". Deadline Hollywood. 20 December 2011. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
- ^ Knegt, Peter (22 December 2011). "'The Help' and 'Pariah' Top Black Film Critics' Awards". IndieWire. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
- ^ "NAACP Image Award Winners Include 'The Help,' Stars Octavia Spencer, Viola Davis". The Hollywood Reporter. 17 February 2012. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
- ^ Gakuru, Wanjeri (July 30, 2024). "Reel Talk: Presently in the Future". People's Stories Project. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
- ^ Njasi Simiyu, Kennedy (21 March 2022). "Evolution of Film Policy in Kenya". African Social Science and Humanities Journal. 3 (2) – via African Journals Online.
- ^ KBC Channel 1 (2023-12-11). Kenya at 60 : A look at the growth in the film industry. Retrieved 2024-07-30 – via YouTube.
{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ a b Odidi, Bill (15 October 2010). "New lease of life for Litondo". Daily Nation. Retrieved 26 March 2020.