Jerry Mofokeng (born 17 April 1956) is a South African stage and screen
actor
An actor or actress is a person who portrays a character in a performance. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or in modern media such as film, radio, and television. The analogous Greek term is (), li ...
who has appeared in several critically acclaimed films, including ''
Cry The Beloved Country
''Cry, the Beloved Country'' is a 1948 novel by South African writer Alan Paton. Set in the prelude to apartheid in South Africa, it follows a black village priest and a white farmer who must deal with news of a murder.
American publisher Benn ...
''; ''
Lord of War
''Lord of War'' is a 2005 American crime drama film written, produced, and directed by Andrew Niccol, and co-produced by and starring Nicolas Cage.
The film was released in the United States on September 16, 2005, to positive reviews and grosse ...
''; ''
Mandela and de Klerk
''Mandela and de Klerk'' is a 1997 made-for-television drama film written by Richard Wesley and directed by Joseph Sargent. The film stars Sidney Poitier and Michael Caine. The film documents the negotiations between F.W. de Klerk and Nelson ...
''; and the 2005
Academy Award
The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international film industry. The awards are regarded by many as the most prestigious, significant awards in the entertainment ind ...
-winning film ''
Tsotsi
''Tsotsi'' is a 2005 crime drama film written and directed by Gavin Hood and produced by Peter Fudakowski. It is an adaptation of the novel ''Tsotsi'' by Athol Fugard and is a South African/UK co-production. Set in the Alexandra slum in Johann ...
''.
Mofokeng attended Orlando West High School and Youth Alive Ministries in Soweto in the 1970s. He studied at
Wits Drama School where he initially took his major in acting then later went on to study at
Columbia University
Columbia University (also known as Columbia, and officially as Columbia University in the City of New York) is a private research university in New York City. Established in 1754 as King's College on the grounds of Trinity Church in Manhatt ...
in America, where he obtained his master's degree in
Theatre Directing
A theatre director or stage director is a professional in the theatre field who oversees and orchestrates the mounting of a theatre production such as a play, opera, dance, drama, musical theatre performance, etc. by unifying various endeavors a ...
. At the age of 56 Mofokeng added his biological father's surname Makhetha
) is a South African stage and screen and henceforth he became known as Jerry Mofokeng wa Makhetha after his biological father whom he knew all along but didn't know he was his biological father until the age of 56.
Filmography
Film
References
Living people
South African dramatists and playwrights
People from Soweto
South African male actors
University of the Witwatersrand alumni
Columbia University School of the Arts alumni
1956 births
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