Lupita Amondi Nyong’o, born March 1, 1983, is a talented actress and author with Kenyan and Mexican roots. Her Hollywood journey began as a production assistant, but she quickly moved to acting, debuting in the short film “East River” in 2008. She soon returned to Kenya to star in the TV series “Shuga” (2009–2012). In 2009, she showcased her versatility by writing, producing, and directing the documentary “In My Genes” before pursuing a master’s in acting from the prestigious Yale School of Drama.

Nyong’o’s big break came with her role as Patsey in the 2013 film “12 Years a Slave,” earning her critical acclaim and numerous awards, including the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. This achievement made her the first Kenyan and Mexican actress to win an Oscar. She later debuted on Broadway in “Eclipsed” (2015), earning a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress. Nyong’o expanded her portfolio with roles such as Maz Kanata in the Star Wars sequel trilogy (2015–2019) and Raksha in “The Jungle Book” (2016). Her career continued to soar with her role as Nakia in “Black Panther” (2018) and her lead role in Jordan Peele’s horror film “Us” (2019).

Advocacy and Other Pursuits

Beyond acting, Nyong’o is a passionate advocate for historic preservation, women’s rights, and animal welfare. In 2014, People magazine named her the most beautiful woman. She authored the children’s book “Sulwe” (2019), which became a New York Times Best-Seller. That same year, she narrated the Discovery Channel docu-series “Serengeti,” earning a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Narrator. Forbes recognized her as one of Africa’s “50 Most Powerful Women” in 2020.

Early Life and Education

Born in Mexico City, Nyong’o’s family originally hailed from Kenya but fled due to political oppression. Her family faced severe hardships due to their activism against an authoritarian president. Tragically, her uncle was attacked, and her father tortured, events that profoundly influenced Nyong’o’s understanding of suffering, as reflected in her performance in “12 Years a Slave.” Despite these challenges, Nyong’o’s family provided a nurturing environment. Her mother, Dorothy Ogada Buyu, runs a communications firm and serves as managing director of the Africa Cancer Foundation. Her father, Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o, is a politician and professor who served as Kenya’s health minister. Raised in Nairobi, she moved to Mexico briefly to learn Spanish. Nyong’o discovered her love for acting at Rusinga International School and performed as Romeo in a school “Romeo and Juliet” production at 14. She studied theatre and film at Hampshire College in the US and later honed her craft at the Yale School of Drama, where she excelled in numerous productions and won a prestigious acting award.

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