Lupita Nyong'o

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Lupita Nyong'o - Actress & Filmmaker | Streamline | Streamline

Biography

Lupita Nyong'o is a Kenyan-Mexican actress and filmmaker. She won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her debut film role in '12 Years a Slave' (2013), making her the first Kenyan and first Mexican actress to win an Oscar.

Career & Education

She began her film career working on acclaimed productions like The Constant Gardener (2005) and The Namesake (2006), then made her acting debut in the Kenyan TV drama Shuga (2009) and directed the award-winning documentary In My Genes (2009) . Her breakout came when she was cast as Patsey in 12 Years a Slave (2013), earning her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress

2. Hollywood Leading Lady & Broadway Star (2014–2019): Following her Oscar win, Lupita starred in major franchises including Non‑Stop (2014), the Star Wars sequels as Maz Kanata, and played Nakia in Marvel’s Black Panther (2018) . She also made her Broadway debut with the play Eclipsed in 2016, earning critical acclaim and a Tony nomination

3. Creative Expansion & Advocacy (2019–Present): Lupita diversified into voice acting (Jungle Book, A Quiet Place: Day One), starred in horror hit Us (2019) for which she received award nominations , launched her New York Times bestselling children’s book Sulwe (2019) , and continues to champion diversity, representation, and African storytelling in her roles and public engagements

Bachelor’s degree in Film and Theater Studies from Hampshire College

Master of Fine Arts from the Yale School of Drama.

Key Achievements

Academy Award, SAG Award, and Emmy winner.
In 2020 Forbes named her one of Africa’s 50 Most Powerful Women.
Authored the bestselling children’s book 'Sulwe'.

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Politics

Ugandan-Born Zohran Mamdani Wins New York Mayoral Race

Zohran Mamdani's historic victory as New York City's first Muslim mayor and youngest in a century resonates in East Africa, where his Ugandan roots and family ties, including to Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong'o, spark regional pride and hope.

Nov 5, 2025

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Quick Facts

390

3 Roles

Biography

Career & Education

Bachelor’s degree in Film and Theater Studies from Hampshire College

Master of Fine Arts from the Yale School of Drama.

Key Achievements

Related News Coverage

Ugandan-Born Zohran Mamdani Wins New York Mayoral Race

Vogue World Hollywood Dazzles Amid Calls for African Inclusion

Kenyan-American Stars Shine Bright in Hollywood

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Lupita Nyong'o

Quick Facts

390

3 Roles

Biography

Career & Education

Bachelor’s degree in Film and Theater Studies from Hampshire College

Master of Fine Arts from the Yale School of Drama.

Key Achievements

Related News Coverage

Ugandan-Born Zohran Mamdani Wins New York Mayoral Race

Vogue World Hollywood Dazzles Amid Calls for African Inclusion

Kenyan-American Stars Shine Bright in Hollywood