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Oliver Litondo

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Oliver Litondo
Born
Oliver Musila Litondo

1948
NationalityKenyan
Alma materHarvard University
Stockholm University
University of Iowa
Occupation(s)Actor, Journalist and news anchor.
SpouseBeldina.
AwardsAARP Movies for Grownups Award for Best Actor

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]

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

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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

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  1. ^ Clarke, Cath (12 May 2011). "First sight: Oliver Musila Litondo". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  2. ^ Kerongo, Grace (26 July 2013). "Kenya: Oliver Litondo Bags Role in U.S. Crime Thriller". AllAfrica.com. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d MARGARETTA WA GACHERU (20 August 2013). "Oliver Litondo: From Hollywood with goodies". Daily Nation. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  4. ^ Potts, Kimberly (20 January 2012). "AARP's Best Movie for Grownups? 'The Descendants'". Reuters. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  5. ^ a b "Another starring role for Oliver Litondo". Business Daily Africa. 29 March 2015. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  6. ^ Kilday, Gregg (20 December 2011). "'The Help' Named Best Film of 2011 by Black Film Critics Circle". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  7. ^ "'The Help' Voted Best Pic By Black Critics; Viola Davis, Olivier Litondo Top Actors". Deadline Hollywood. 20 December 2011. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  8. ^ Knegt, Peter (22 December 2011). "'The Help' and 'Pariah' Top Black Film Critics' Awards". IndieWire. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  9. ^ "NAACP Image Award Winners Include 'The Help,' Stars Octavia Spencer, Viola Davis". The Hollywood Reporter. 17 February 2012. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  10. ^ Gakuru, Wanjeri (July 30, 2024). "Reel Talk: Presently in the Future". People's Stories Project. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  11. ^ Njasi Simiyu, Kennedy (21 March 2022). "Evolution of Film Policy in Kenya". African Social Science and Humanities Journal. 3 (2) – via African Journals Online.
  12. ^ 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)
  13. ^ a b Odidi, Bill (15 October 2010). "New lease of life for Litondo". Daily Nation. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
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