Moonyeenn Lee (February 1944 – 18 July 2020) was a South African casting director, talent agent and producer. She earned Primetime Emmy Award nominations for her work on the Hulu series The Looming Tower and the 2016 Roots remake. She became the first South African member of both the Motion Picture and Television Academies.[1][2]
Moonyeenn Lee | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 1944 Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Died | 18 July 2020 (aged 76) Johannesburg |
| Occupation | Casting director |
| Years active | 1974–2020 |
| Spouse | Leon Lee (div. 1973) |
| Children | 2 |
Lee founded the talent agency Moonyeenn Lee & Associates (MLA) in 1974 and Khulisa Productions in 1998. She was awarded the Lionel Ngakane Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2017 South African Film and Television Awards.[3]
Early and personal life edit
Lee was born in Johannesburg. She was named after a character from the 1932 film Smilin' Through.[4] She moved to England, where she was mostly educated, when she was 7 for her mother Shirley Hepburn's work as a stage actress whilst her father stayed behind in South Africa. She began working for a knitwear company in London at 17.[5]
Lee and salesman Leon Lee were married for five years and divorced in 1974. The pair had a son David and a daughter Cindy. After her divorce, Lee was looking for a new career. She trained to become an agent with James Fraser of Fraser and Dunlop in England.[6][7]
Lee raised her children in Parkmore, who both now work in the entertainment industry. She later lived in Rosebank.[5]
Lee's agency MLA announced Lee had died at the age of 76 in Johannesburg of complications related to COVID-19 on the morning of 18 July 2020.[8][9] A number of actors, other industry people, and Minister of Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa paid their tributes.[10][11]
Filmography edit
Film edit
Television edit
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | The Summer House | Television film |
| 1994 | The Line | Television film |
| 1996 | Inside | Television film |
| 1997 | Mandela and de Klerk | Television film |
| 1998 | Diamond Girl | Television film |
| 1998 | Running Wild | Television film |
| 1999–2004 | Yizo Yizo | |
| 2001 | Dr Lucille: The Lucille Teasdale Story | Television film |
| 2002 | In Desert and Wilderness | |
| 2007–2012 | Wild at Heart | |
| 2007 | Life Is Wild | |
| 2008 | The Devil's Whore | Miniseries |
| 2009 | Hopeville | |
| 2009 | The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency | |
| 2009 | The Prisoner | Miniseries |
| 2011 | Leonardo | |
| 2012 | Fynbos | |
| 2012 | Dirty Laundry | Short film |
| 2013 | Mary and Martha | Television film |
| 2014 | Homeland | Season 4 |
| 2015 | The Gamechangers | Television film |
| 2016 | Cape Town | Miniseries |
| 2016 | Roots | Miniseries |
| 2016 | Hooten & the Lady | Miniseries |
| 2017 | Madiba | Miniseries |
| 2018 | Black Panther | |
| 2018 | The Looming Tower | Miniseries |
| 2019 | The Girl from St. Agnes | Miniseries[12] |
| 2019 | Warrior | |
| 2019 | The Hot Zone | |
| 2020 | Shaina | Television film; posthumous release |
Awards and nominations edit
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Casting for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie | Roots | Nominated | |
| 2017 | South African Film and Television Awards | Dr Lionel Ngakane Lifetime Achievement Award | — | Won | |
| 2018 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Casting for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie | The Looming Tower | Nominated | [13] |
References edit
- ^ "Moonyeenn Lee becomes first South African to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences". Sunday Times. 6 July 2016. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
- ^ Wiseman, Andreas (20 July 2020). "Moonyeenn Lee Dies Following Covid Complications: South African Casting Director & Talent Agent Who Worked On 'Blood Diamond', 'Hotel Rwanda', 'Tsotsi' Was 76". Deadline. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
- ^ "Celebrating works of art in film". The Sunday Journal. 7 March 2017. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
- ^ Mabuza, Ernest (19 July 2020). "SA's legendary casting queen Moonyeenn Lee dies from Covid-19 complications". Times Live. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
- ^ a b "Queen of the casting scene". City Press. 23 November 2013. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
- ^ "Moonyeenn Lee (Casting Director)". The First Grader. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
- ^ Sampson, Lin (17 July 2016). "Oscar role for Moonyeenn Lee". Sunday Times. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
- ^ "The Passing Of A Legend". MLASA. 2 November 2020. Archived from the original on 6 November 2021. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
- ^ Rosser, Michael (20 July 2020). "Casting director Moonyeenn Lee dies from coronavirus". Screen Daily. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
- ^ "Minister Nathi Mthethwa on the passing of casting director Moonyeenn Lee". South African Government. 19 July 2020. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
- ^ Vourlias, Christopher (20 July 2020). "Moonyeenn Lee, Legendary South African Agent and Casting Director, Dies at 76". Variety. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
- ^ Kriedemann, Kevin (5 March 2019). "In conversation with renowned casting director and agent Moonyeenn Lee". Screen Africa. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
- ^ "Moonyeenn Lee - Emmy Awards, Nominations and Wins". Emmys. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
External links edit
- Moonyeenn Lee at IMDb
- Moonyeenn Lee at TVSA