Richard Lukunku
Richard Kitenge Lukunku | |
|---|---|
| Born | Richard Kitenge Lukunku May 29, 1986 |
| Nationality | Congolese-South African |
| Alma mater | AFDA |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Notable work |
|
| Spouse | Nozipho Nkelemba |
| Children | 2 |
Richard Lukunku (born 29 May 1986) is a Congolese-South African actor who played the character of Joshua on Black Sails.[1]
Early life
Lukunku moved to South Africa with his family as a child. He cultivated an early interest in performance art and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Live Performance from AFDA, The School for the Creative Economy, in Johannesburg. Lukunku speaks six languages—English, Afrikaans, Setswana, Zulu, French and Swahili—which has helped him take on a diverse range of roles.[2][3][4][5]
Career
2010–2013: Early South African television
Lukunku made his on-screen debut in the crime drama Inkaba, followed by a starring role as Detective Phaka in Mshika-shika (2012). He appeared in the telenovela Ashes to Ashes, earning a SAFTA nomination for Best Actor in a TV Soap/Telenovela in 2016.[6]
2014–2017: International break and feature films
In 2014, he joined the main cast of the Starz series Black Sails as Joshua, a role he held for two seasons. He went on to portray Patrice Lumumba in the Michael Bay-produced film The Siege of Jadotville (2016) and featured in the romantic comedy Happiness Is a Four-Letter Word (2016) and its 2020 sequel. His film credits also include The Lucky Specials (2017).[7][8]
2018–present: Leading roles and fantasy epics
Back in South Africa, Lukunku landed a leading part on the long-running SABC3 drama Isidingo (2023–present). In 2022 he starred as Senator Jabari in Showmax’s fantasy epic Blood Psalms, which earned multiple award nominations on the continent.[9] He appeared in the television shows "The Looming Tower" and "The Girl from St. Agnes", "Blood Plasms" and "Professionals".[10]
Personal life
Lukunku is married to actress and director Nozipho Nkelemba; the couple have two children. In 2023, the two were reported to have been separated.[11] His multilingual fluency (six languages) is frequently highlighted in interviews as key to his versatility.
Filmography
Television
- Inkaba
- Mshika-shika
- Ashes to Ashes
- The Mirage of Life
- The Quest
- Rhythm City
- Isidingo
- The road
- Trueuground
- The Girl from St. Agnes
- Strike Back
- Flight of the Stocks
- Black Sails
Films
- Happiness is a Four-Letter Word
- Blink
- Night Drive
- History of America
- Superhelde
- Invisible Children
- Skyf the Movie
- Mister BOB
- Thina Sobabili
- The Siege of Jadotville
- Black Sails
- Zama Zama
Awards and nominations
- Richard Lekunku was nominated for a Golden Horn Award in 2013[12]
- Nominated for Best supporting Actor in 2016[13]
- African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) in 2018.[14]
References
- ^ "Richard Lukunku". FilmAffinity. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
- ^ Adeaga, Favour (2020-07-09). "Richard Lukunku bio: age, wife, parents, tv shows and movies, nominations, profile - Briefly.co.za". briefly.co.za. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
- ^ Vomo, Munya (1978-09-06). "Humble actor kept busy in SA and US". IOL. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
- ^ "Richard Lukunku". Screen List. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
- ^ Thangevelo, Debashine (2012-05-11). "Double impact rocks box". IOL. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
- ^ "Richard Lukunku on his character evolution & comeback on 'Happiness is a Four Letter Word' sequel". www.timeslive.co.za. Archived from the original on 2021-11-19. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
- ^ "Richard Lukunku | Actor, Casting Department". IMDb. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
- ^ Writer, Staff (2022-10-03). "Richard Lukunku on playing the regal Senator in fantasy epic Blood Psalms". Showmax Stories. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
- ^ "Richard Lukunku". afternoonexpress.co.za. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
- ^ Birjalal, Alyssia (2023-01-20). "Richard Lukunku on 'Blood Psalms': 'These guys are on another level'". IOL. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
- ^ "Osa Johnson", London in His Own Time, University of Iowa Press, pp. 220–224, 2020-07-01, doi:10.2307/j.ctv1chs9xk.61, retrieved 2025-05-22
- ^ Nondzaba, Kelebogile (2016-12-06). "Video: SAFTAs nominee dinner 2016". IOL. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
- ^ Mighticiti. "Richard Lukunku – Biography, Music & Latest Updates". mighticiti.com. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
- ^ "Richard Lukunku - Awards". IMDb. Retrieved 2025-05-18.