Oliver Litondo
Oliver Litondo | |
|---|---|
| Born | Oliver Musila Litondo 4 August 1948 Kakamega, Kenya |
| Citizenship | Kenya |
| Alma mater | Harvard University Stockholm University University of Iowa |
| Occupations |
|
| Known for | The Lion of Africa |
| Spouse |
Beldina Auma (m. 1997) |
| Children | 4 |
| Awards | AARP Movies for Grownups Award for Best Actor |
Oliver Musila Litondo (born August 4, 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][3][4] For his portrayal as Maruge, Litondo won the AARP Movies for Grownups Award for Best Actor[5][6][7] and the Black Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actor.[8][9][10] He was also nominated for the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture for his performance in The First Grader.[5][7][11]
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 KBC Channel 1 about the history of Kenyan film, Litondo said that he tried unsuccessfully to locate this pioneering film.[12][13][14]
Litondo is a graduate of the University of Iowa, Stockholm University and Harvard University.[15] He is married to Beldina Auma, and they have four children. One of their children, Grace Litondo, is a singer.[5] Litondo is a recipient of the Kalasha Lifetime Achievement award.[5]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Mlevi | First Film Made in Kenya | |
| 1969 | Mrembo | Another Pioneer Film Made in Kenya | |
| 1975 | The Wilby Conspiracy | [15] Minor role | |
| 1980 | The Bushtrackers | Johnny Kimathi | Cast |
| 1984 | Sheena | Chief Harcomba | Cast |
| 1988 | The Lion of Africa | Sergeant | Cast |
| 1990 | Ivory Hunters | Kenneth | Cast |
| 2010 | The First Grader | Kimani Ng'ang'a Maruge | Cast |
| 2011 | The Rugged Priest | Catholic Bishop | Cast |
| 2024 | Birthday Live | Daudi | |
| 1971 | The Search for the Nile | King Mutesa | Cast, TV series (2 episodes) |
| 1976 - 1977 | Orzowei, il Figlio Della Savana | Amunai | Cast, Mini series |
| 1977 | The Track of the African Bongo | Njiri | Cast |
| 1977 | Disneyland | Njiri | Cast, TV series ( 2 episodes) |
| 2012 | The Truth About Priest | Stanley | Cast, Short film |
| 2013 | Unforgatable | Okoro Dimka | Cast, TV series (1 episode) |
| 2014 | Naku Penta Naku Taka | Vinays Bose | Cast |
| 2022 | Country Queen | Prof | Cast, TV series (6 episodes) |
| 2024 | Sambaza Furaha Na Safaricom Hii Krisi | Old Wise Man | Cast, Short ad |
Award and nominations
| Year | Awarding Organization | Category | Nominee | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Image Awards (NAACP) | Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture | Oliver Litondo | Nominated | [16][17] |
| 2012 | Black Reel Awards | Best Actor | Oliver Litondo | Nominated | [18][19] |
| 2011 | Black Film Critics Circle Awards | Best Actor | Oliver Litondo | Won | |
| 2012 | Kalasha Internationa Film and TV Awards | Lifetime Achievement Award | Oliver Litondo | Won | [20][21] |
| 2012 | AARP Movies for Grownups Awards | Best Actor | Oliver Litondo | Won |
References
- ^ Clarke, Cath (12 May 2011). "First sight: Oliver Musila Litondo". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
- ^ mkenyaujerumani (2013-09-02). "Cologne Germany to Hollywood – The Kenyan Who Rose to Become an Award Winning Actor". Mkenya Ujerumani. Retrieved 2025-09-10.
- ^ Kerongo, Grace (26 July 2013). "Kenya: Oliver Litondo Bags Role in U.S. Crime Thriller". AllAfrica.com. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
- ^ Clarke, Cath (2011-05-12). "First sight: Oliver Musila Litondo". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-09-09.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "NAACP Image Awards – Buzz Central". Retrieved 2025-09-13.
- ^ "Another starring role for Oliver Litondo - Business Daily". www.businessdailyafrica.com. Retrieved 2025-09-13.
- ^ ago, Standard Digital | 13yrs. "Star shines bright for 'The First grader' actor". The Standard. Retrieved 2025-09-13.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Kenya's Litondo beats top US actors to bag award". Monitor. 2021-01-05. Retrieved 2025-09-13.
- ^ "Oliver Litondo: From Hollywood with goodies". Daily Nation. 2020-07-05. Retrieved 2025-09-13.
- ^ "Kenya's best on screen feted at Kalasha awards". Daily Nation. 2020-07-03. Retrieved 2025-09-13.