Lupita Nyong'o
Biography
Lupita Amondi Nyong'o is a Kenyan-Mexican actress, author, model, and filmmaker born on March 1, 1983, in Mexico City, Mexico. Raised in Kenya, she is the daughter of Dorothy Ogada Buyu and Peter Anyang' Nyong'o. Throughout her professional career, she has garnered significant recognition for her work in film and television. Her accolades include an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, an Actor Award, and a Daytime Emmy Award. Additionally, she has received nominations for two British Academy Film Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and a Tony Award. Her contributions to the entertainment industry have established her as a prominent figure in international cinema.
Career overview
Lupita Nyong'o began her professional career in Hollywood working as a production assistant. She made her acting debut in 2008 with the short film East River. Following this, she returned to Kenya to star in the television series Shuga, appearing in the show from 2009 to 2012. In 2009, she also wrote, produced, and directed the documentary In My Genes. Seeking further professional development, she pursued a master's degree in acting from the Yale School of Drama.
Her breakthrough in feature films occurred with her role as Patsey in 12 Years a Slave, which was her first American movie. This performance earned her critical acclaim and an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, making her the first Kenyan and Mexican actress to receive the honor. Nyong'o has since appeared in several high-profile projects, including the films Black Panther in 2018 and Us in 2019. With 79 known credits in the industry, she continues to be recognized for her diverse roles in both film and television.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full filmography
- The Odyssey (2026) as Helen / Clytemnestra
- Twelfth Night (2025) as Viola
- The Wild Robot (2024) as Roz / Rummage (voice)
- A Quiet Place: Day One (2024) as Samira
- Voices Rising: The Music of Wakanda Forever (2023) as Self - Actress
- Voices Rising: The Music of Wakanda Forever (2023) Thanks
- Goodbye Julia (2023) Executive Producer
- Disney 100: A Century of Dreams – A Special Edition of 20/20 (2023) as Self
- Marvel Studios Assembled: The Making of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2023) as Self
- Sherri (2022) as Self - Guest
- Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022) as Nakia
- Human Resources (2022) as Shame Wizard Asha (voice)
- The 355 (2022) as Khadijah Adiyeme
- 20/20 Presents Black Panther: In Search of Wakanda (2022) as Self
- Marvel Studios Legends (2021) as Nakia (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Who Are You, Charlie Brown? (2021) as Self - Narrator (voice)
- Super Sema (2021) as Sema
- 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony (2021) as Self
- One World: Together at Home (2020) as Self
- Black Is King (2020)
- Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices (2020)
- Worlds Beyond Earth (2020) as Narrator (voice)
- Chadwick Boseman: A Tribute for a King (2020) as Self (archive footage)
- The Kelly Clarkson Show (2019) as Self
- Desus & Mero (2019) as Self - Illustrious Guest
- Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019) as Maz Kanata
- Us (2019) as Adelaide Wilson / Red
- Little Monsters (2019) as Miss Caroline
- Serengeti (2019) as Narrator (voice)
- Beyoncé Presents: Making The Gift (2019) as Self
- Warrior Women with Lupita Nyong'o (2019) as Host
- Black Panther (2018) as Nakia
- 2 Dope Queens (2018) as Self
- Jack (Part 1) (2018) as Giant
- My Africa (2018) as Narrator (voice)
- Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017) as Maz Kanata
- Big Mouth (2017) as Asha (voice)
- Star Wars: Forces of Destiny (2017) as Maz Kanata (voice)
- August 28: A Day in the Life of a People (2017) as Self
- MaNyfaCedGod (2017) as Woman
- The Jungle Book (2016) as Raksha (voice)
- Disneyland 60: The Wonderful World of Disney (2016) as Self
- Queen of Katwe (2016) as Nakku Harriet
- Secrets of the Force Awakens: A Cinematic Journey (2016) as Self
- The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (2015) as Self - Guest
- Hot Ones (2015) as Self
- Close Up with The Hollywood Reporter (2015) as Self
- Lip Sync Battle (2015) as Self
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) as Maz Kanata
- Nature Is Speaking (2015) as Flower
- Star Wars: Greatest Moments (2015) as Self
- The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014) as Self - Guest
- Late Night with Seth Meyers (2014) as Self - Guest
- Variety Studio: Actors on Actors (2014) as Self
- Non-Stop (2014) as Gwen
- 12 Years a Slave (2013) as Patsey
- Finding Your Roots (2012) as Self
- Billy on the Street (2011) as Self
- Conan (2010) as Self - Guest
- Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen (2009) as Self - Guest
- Shuga (2009) as Ayira
- East River (2009)
- In My Genes (2009) Director
- In My Genes (2009) Editor
- In My Genes (2009) Executive Producer
- In My Genes (2009) Publicist
- In My Genes (2009) Sound Editor
- This Is My Africa (2008) as Self
- Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2003) as Self - Guest
- The View (1997) as Self
- The Daily Show (1996) as Self - Guest
- Late Show with David Letterman (1993) as Self - Guest
- LIVE with Kelly and Mark (1988) as Self - Guest
- Entertainment Tonight (1981) as Self
- Great Performances (1971) as Viola
- Sesame Street (1969) as Self
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Presenter
- The Oscars (1953) as Self
- Tagesschau (1952) as Self
- The Wild Robot Escapes as Roz (voice)
- Lunik Heist
- Strawweight
- Miss Universe
- Miss Universe Producer
- Serengeti