5 Kenyan actors besides Lupita who are making it big in the film industry

Owiso Odera

When you talk of Kenyan actors, the one name that is bound to pop up as being the most accomplished would have to be Lupita Nyongâ€™o. She is undoubtedly putting Kenyan actors on the global map. She is accomplished, but she is not the only to succeed so far. There have been many Kenyan actors to hit the Hollywood scene as well as other different acting markets, but Lupita has stolen the limelight from all.

Here are a few actors who are also making headlines in their own way.

1. Edi Gathegi

Edi Gathegi is a household name in Hollywood. Before lupita, he was the one name linked to Kenya that appeared in film credits.

Gathegi has acted in X-Men First Class (2011), Crank (2006), House, Gone Baby Gone (2007), and Twilight (2008). In Crank (2006), Gathegi is the Haitian cabbie; in Death Sentence he is Bodie; Darudi in The Fifth Patient; Cheese in Gone Baby Gone; He is Dr. Jeffrey Cole in House; Laurent in Twilight; and had a guest star role in CSI: Miami. Most recent roles include Atlas Shrugged and Family Tools.

2. Veronica Waceke

Veronica Waceke is a screen plus stage actress whom you may have spotted on TV shows like â€˜Guy Centreâ€™, where she plays a talent scout who fishes for new musical talent and goes ahead to promote it. She has also been featured in other local TV acts amongst â€˜Be the Judgeâ€™, â€˜Makutano Junctionâ€™, â€˜Machachariâ€™ and recently, â€˜Mother in Lawâ€™. She also featured in The Captain of Nakara (2012) and Higher Learning (2010).

Veronica, who was diagnosed with Thyroid cancer is clearly making headway in the film industry. Anyone doubting must not be aware that she is among the 2014 AMVCA awards nominees. She is nominated in the category of â€˜Best Actress in a Dramaâ€™ for her role as Aida in Higher Learning.

3. David Mulwa

David Mulwa started acting at the age of 7 years, he is one of the most known names in the Kenyan Film industry. He is known for his role in To Walk with Lions (1999), The Knife Grinder’s Tale (2007) and The Great Elephant Escape (1995). You may also know him from Nairobi Law, Higher Learning and Tabasamu.

4. Owiso Odera

Vampire shows are the in-thing right now. And itâ€™s impressive to see a Kenyan name on the credits of a spin-off to a really popular show across the globe. Owiso Odera got a role in The Originals; a spin-off from Vampire Diaries.

Owiso Odera is a Los Angeles based actor whose television credits include Blue Bloods (CBS), Numb3rs (CBS), The Unit (CBS), FlashForward (ABC), recurring roles on Three Rivers (CBS) and DIRT (FX). Owisoâ€™s first love is the theater, Off-Broadway he appeared in the US premiere of The Overwhelming (Roundabout Theatre Company) ranked fourth by Time Magazine as one of the top ten new plays of 2007, Romeo and Juliet (the Public Theater / New York Shakespeare Festival).

5. Valerie Kimani

Valerie Kimani came to the limelight thanks ot TPf. But she is more than just a songstress. She has managed to stamp her presence in the film industry. You may be farmiliar with her work in Shuga(she was the nice girl who always had condoms with her).

In 2010,she acted in the popular university drama Higher Learning, which has earned her a AMVCa nomination for Best supporting actress. She became part of the Michael Jackson ONE; a show that fuses acrobatics, dance and visuals performed with the intention of taking the audience on a journey through the music and spirit of Michael Jackson.

Speaking of Kenyans who are doing it big, the following Kenyans have been nominated for the The Africa Magic Viewersâ€™ Choice Awards (AMVCA) special categories where viewers decide the winners directly by voting. Please vote for them to increase the chances of them winning.

You can vote once per hour per category on the website and again once per hour per category on the mobile site. Just by voting you will be entered into a draw to win awesome prizes. Voting closes at midnight CAT (Central African Time) on 3rd March 2014.