Akende Munalula, is a Zambian actor, writer, producer, rapper and poet.[1][2] He is best known for the roles in the films Boo 2! A Madea Halloween, Unexpected Guests and television serials Counterpart and The Salon.[3][4][5]

Akende Munalula
Born
Lusaka, Zambia
Alma materStella Adler Academy of Acting and Theatres
Occupation(s)Producer, actor, writer, rapper, poet
Years active1989–present
Height187 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Children2
Websitewww.akende.com

Personal life

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He was abandoned by his biological British father in Lusaka, Zambia when he was just three months old. After that, he and his brothers were raised by his mother alone. His mother worked as a typist. When he was eight, het met his stepfather, a Welsh artist who taught art at the International School of Lusaka. During this period, he visited library more often and became a fluent reader. Therefore, he became interested in writing and won several awards for the English language in high school.[6]

He is married and the couple has two children. He currently lives and works in Los Angeles, California.[6]

Career

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After high school life, he moved to advertising, and worked as a successful copywriter for more than ten years. Then he moved to performance stage and became a rapper, where he produced two successful albums including: "A.S.H. RISEN". But in 2012, he left Zambia and settled in Toronto, Canada for about six months. Then in 2012 he joined the Stella Adler Academy of Acting and Theatres and studied drama.[7] He graduated from the academy in 2014. In 2015, he joined the Screen Actors Guild, SAG-AFTRA to become a professional actor.[6] In the same year, he wrote and starred in the short film City of Dreams. The film made its premier at the Action On Film festival. After the success, he appeared in few more short films such as Tear Jerker, The Incision, The Hitchhiker, Primers, Prayers of a Pessimist and Rayven Choi.[8]

He has acted in number of international television serials and films such as Deputy, Counterpart, Tyler Perry's Boo 2: A Madea Halloween. In the film Boo 2, he played the role "Calvin".[9] The film became a huge blockbuster hit as well. He also acted in the independent production The New 30, which was later nominated for Emmy Awards. In 2019, he returned Zambia to attend the launching of the Filmmakers Guild of Zambia with Lawrence Thompson and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Then he conducted teaching acting classes to actors and teaching Directing Actors to young directors from Southern Africa at the MultiChoice Talent Factory.[6] In 2020, he appeared in the serial The Salon.

Filmography

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Year Film Role Genre Ref.
2014 Justice Milton Justice, producer, writer Short film
2014 The Incision Chansa Short film
2014 The Hitchhiker Death Short film
2016 Tear Jerker Paul Short film
2016 Primer James Whitiker Short film
2016 Prayers of a Pessimist Detective Colden Short film
2016 The Perfect Plan Agent R., producer, writer Film
2016 Rayven Choi Dorian Glover Short film
2016 City of Dreams Tom, producer, writer Short film
2017 The New 30 Kelvin TV series
2017 Boo 2! A Madea Halloween Calvin Film
2017 A Teen's Survival Guide 4 When ish Happens: The All-Star Ronnie Short film
2018 Counterpart Pascal TV series
2018 Muzo Martin TV movie
2019 Cheating Death Angel of Death Video
2019 Cheating Death Angel of Death TV Mini Series
2019 The Reaper Kelly Short film
2020 Where Butterflies Perish Actor, Co-producer Short film
2020 The Long Road Home Henry Short film
2020 The Salon Abimbola TV series
2017 Unexpected Guests Peter Shan Film
TBD Life of Riley Jeremy Short film
TBD Coercion Dev TV series

References

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  1. ^ "Akende Munalula – Ackson Lydia Realtors". Archived from the original on 9 October 2021. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
  2. ^ "Akende Munalula Central LA, CA". backstage.com. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
  3. ^ "Akende Munalula". MUBI. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
  4. ^ "Zambian actor stars alongside Tyler Perry – Zambia Daily Mail". www.daily-mail.co.zm. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
  5. ^ "Akende Munalula". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
  6. ^ a b c d HypeTeam (19 June 2020). "Akende Munalula Continues To Find His Way In The Entertainment Industry". Hypemagzm. Retrieved 9 October 2021.[permanent dead link]
  7. ^ "Akende Munalula - Akende's Bio, Credits, Awards, and more". Stage 32. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
  8. ^ Petski, Denise (5 October 2021). "'Coercion': Akende Munalula, Shacai O'Neal & Lily Keene Among New Cast In Showtime Drama Pilot". Deadline. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
  9. ^ "Zambia : Zambian actor Akende Munalula to make appearance in acclaimed film director ,Tyler Perry's upcoming movie "Boo! Two"". Retrieved 9 October 2021.
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