He lost his left eye during an assault by the South African police officials after returning home following his performance in "Sizwe Banzi Is Dead", a play which criticized apartheid. They left him to die. Tragically, it didn’t end there. His left eye was lost as a result of the incident and he now wears a prosthesis. John Kani fake eye was designed to replace the eye he lost. Bonisile John Kani (born 30 August, 1943) is a South African actor, author, director and playwright, known for portraying T'Chaka in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films Captain America: Civil War (2016) and Black Panther (2018), Rafiki in the 2019 remake of The Lion King and Colonel Ulenga in the Netflix film Murder Mystery (2019). He joined a … Kani is executive trustee of the John Kani Theatre Foundation, founder and director of the John Kani Theatre Laboratory and chairman of the National Arts Council of SA. In 1965, while working in a car assembly plant, he decided to use the theater and dramatics to protest against apartheid. The actor has appeared in films such as Definitely, Maybe; The Proposal; Safe House; and Van Wilder and in 2016, he starred as the titular character in the superhero film Deadpool. He was beaten by Apartheid Police due to which he lost his left eye he wears a glass prosthetic eye. John Kani speaks fluent Xhosa and taught Chadwick Boseman the language for Captain America: Civil War. Kani was born in New Brighton, Eastern Cape, South Africa. On his way there, he was surrounded by police who beat him and left him for dead. He lost his left eye when the South African police beat him up while he was on his way home from a Broadway production. [4], Kani's work has been widely performed around the world, including New York, where he and Winston Ntshona won a Tony Award in 1975 for Sizwe Banzi Is Dead (which ran for 159 performances) and The Island. [2] In August 2017, Kani was cast to perform the voice of Rafiki in the 2019 CGI remake of The Lion King directed by Jon Favreau . The actor has earned a substantial amount of income from acting, directing, play-writing and from his theatre company. Real-Life Relative: He and his son Atandwa collaborated several times both on stage and on screen. He is dark in complexion, has black hair colour and dark brown eye colour. My Africa! For Disney, he portrayed King T'Chaka in Captain America: Civil War and in Black Panther. He is best known for the work he … The Actor who plays his father John Kani, He lost his left eye to a beating he received from Apartheid Police and wears a glass prosthetic eye. The Serpent group created plays, most of which were never published but were performed to a resounding reception. This is what he currently has on his left eye socket. Bonisile John Kani must surely be among the Mandela’s of this world, of which there are few. SCAN-TELE-01433834 [1] In 1975, after appearing in Athol Fugard's anti-apartheid play Sizwe Banzi Is Dead, which he also co-wrote, Kani returned to South Africa. Nonetheless, he believes the pain was worth it. His down-to-earth personality and charming demeanor never fail to impress the general public. [15], In 2016 Kani received the national honour of the Order of Ikhamanga in Silver, for his "Excellent contributions to theatre and, through this, the struggle for a non-racial, non-sexist and democratic South Africa". His work has significantly been performed around the world, including in New York. [16], In 2020 he was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of the Witwatersrand[17], "John Kani on Black Panther premiere: 'I knew we would introduce a different African, "Tony Award-Winning South African Actor Winston Ntshona Dies at 76", "[From our archives] 20 bizarre apartheid moments | Opinion | Analysis | M&G", "About the play | Kunene and the King | Royal Shakespeare Company", "In Conversation with Dr John Kani, Author, Actor, Director, Playwright", "Honorary doctorates for June graduation", "The Main Theatre is renamed to honour Dr. John Kani", "Wits confers honorary doctorates on John Kani and Dr Isidor Segal", Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_Kani&oldid=1015268433, Articles with dead external links from October 2010, Use South African English from February 2013, All Wikipedia articles written in South African English, Articles with unsourced statements from July 2020, Wikipedia articles with BIBSYS identifiers, Wikipedia articles with SUDOC identifiers, Wikipedia articles with WORLDCATID identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 31 March 2021, at 15:01. John Kani is a famous South African playwright, actor, author, and director. Things you may not know about the legendary South African actor John Kani, who play’s T’challa’s Father/King T’chaka in Black Panther. TIL John Kani (King T'Chaka in Black Panther) lost his left eye during a beating by South African police after returning home from a Broadway production of "Sizwe Banzi Is Dead," which was critical of apartheid. In 2016 he received the national order of the Order of Ikhamanga in silver for his excellent contribution in theatre and for his struggle towards making South Africa democratic, non-sexist and non-racial. He is 76 years old. Nickname:John Full Name:Bonisile John Kani Profession:Actor, Director, Playwright Nationality:South African Age:. [3], Kani joined The Serpent Players (a group of actors whose first performance was in the former snake pit of the zoo, hence the name) in Port Elizabeth in 1965 and helped to create many plays that went unpublished but were performed to a resounding reception. He gained his fame from his roles in different movies. The fact that Kani was a Xhosa native speaker led Chadwick Boseman, who played his onscreen son T'Challa, to make that Wakanda's language, and to learn whole scenes in Xhosa, although he had never studied the language before. John was born on the 30th of August, 1973 in New Brighton, South Africa as Bonisile John Kani. Atandwa was born on 6th June 1984 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Tom Cavanagh bio: Age, height, net worth, wife, children, movies. This is what he currently has on his left eye socket. Mac Brandt bio: Top details about the Lovecraft Country actor, David Walliams biography: All the interesting details about his life. Kani was born in New Brighton, Eastern Cape, South Africa. [citation needed], These were followed by the more famous Sizwe Banzi is Dead and The Island, co-written with Athol Fugard and Winston Ntshona, in the early 1970s. John Kani fake eye was designed to replace the eye he lost. He also lost his left eye during an encounter with the police and has had to wear a glass prosthetic ever since. Bonisile John Kani is a notable South African actor, playwright, director and voice artist. In 2013, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University appointed him an honorary Doctor of Philosophy. [6], Nothing but the Truth (2002) was his debut as sole playwright and was first performed in the Market Theatre in Johannesburg. In the 1970s, he was honored to co-write Sizwe Banzi is Dead and The Island acts that have made his name a household name all around the world. Very soon after finishing high school he began working with various drama groups in the New Brighton area performing in schools and community halls. He received a Tony Award for his performance in Sizwe Banzi is Dead & the Island on Broadway in New York City. An interesting Mark Strong bio: His career, net worth, and personal life, Get the hottest stories from the largest news site in Nigeria, Former governor reacts after prophecy referred to him as Buhari’s successor, Heavy shooting as gunmen reportedly attack Sunday Igboho's house, Young Nigerian man cooks food, puts N200 on top, gives them to beggars in viral photos, Ryan Reynolds biography: Age, height, net worth, wife, kids, Nominated for the Oliver award for his role in, Awarded the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation award (2000), Won the Fleur du Cap awards as the best actor and best new South African play (2003), Won a Special Obie award for his extraordinary contribution to the theatre in the United States of America (2003), Awarded the Oliver Schreiner Prize (2005), The University of Cape Town awarded him an honorary doctorate (2005). In Civil War, T'Chaka wears glasses in his scenes, which corrects the lazy eye, but in Black Panther Kani was a) 2 years older and b) not wearing glasses, so his lazy eye is more noticeable. He had received two doctorate degrees one from the University of Durban-Westerville and the other is from the University of Cape Town. John Kani previously worked with William Hurt in Endgame. His search for truth has been his journey, his private road taking him towards peace. [7] In the same year, he was also awarded a special Obie Award for his extraordinary contribution to theatre in the United States.[8]. [citation needed], In 1987 Kani played Othello in a performance of William Shakespeare's play of the same name in South Africa, which was still under apartheid. Quick Facts. This was during the Apartheid. In 1965 Kani joined the Serpent Players … art glass experts: keralite glass: gigsgigscloud looking glass: daisho glass: kdd fused glass: gacaferi glass: bonisile john kani glass eye: fast replacement glass: 52nd glass: circle studio stained glass: glassdoor: glasses: glasses usa: glasses online: glass beach: glass animals: glasses frames: glassdoor jobs John Kani is the father of Atandwa Kani. There, he received a phone call saying that his father wanted to see him. I believe John Kani, who was 73 when they filmed Black Panther, developed a lazy eye as he got older. John Kani’s left eye is a glass prosthetic, losing his real eye in a clash with Apartheid police. ... Glass Eye: His left eye was lost in the incident mentioned below, and he's worn a glass eye since. Users who like Bonisile John Kani receives an honorary Doctorate from Wits University; In 2019, Kani appeared in the Netflix film Murder Mystery where he played Colonel Ulenga. In 1975, after appearing in Athol Fugard's anti-apartheid play Sizwe Banzi Is Dead, which he also co-wrote, Kani returned to South Africa. '[5] These two plays were presented in repertory at the Edison Theatre for a total of 52 performances. Keep reading as we bring to you John Kani net worth and all information you … John Kani's main source of income is his acting. It won the 2003 Fleur du Cap Awards for the best actor and best new South African play. Bonisile John Kani was born on 30 August 1943 in New Brighton, Port Elizabeth. [13], In 2006, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Cape Town. He matriculated from Newell High School where he performed in numerous school plays with Winston Ntshona.. He has been attacked, stabbed and mutilated by the thuggery of the racist right wing, left for dead and then hunted down again when it was learned he was not dead. John Kani age is 77 years old as of the year 2020. Source Bonisile John Kani is a South African Broadway actor, director, and playwright, who has won a Tony Award for his performances in The Island and Sizwe Banzi is Dead. READ ALSO: Ryan Reynolds biography: Age, height, net worth, wife, kids. Kani speaks fluent in the African language Xhosa and for his role in Captain America: Civil War, he taught Chadwick Boseman real phrases of Xhosa to … His prolific career grew from performance to writing and dramaturgy, to directing in theatre, to television and, more recently, to working in film. An interesting Randy Quaid bio: Net worth, career, and family life. How old is John Kani? Kabuki: While kabuki is stuck in prison, a fellow agent switches her glass eye with a guard's.Her eye is smaller so the guard's eye falls out every time he bends over. Bonisile John Kani was born on 30 August 1943 in New Brighton , Port Elizabeth . How did John Kani lose his eye? He stands at a height of 5 feet 8 inches, and he weighs 66kg. Here are some of the famous movies, plays, and TV shows the actor has played a role in. John Kani: Bonisile John Kani is a South African actor, director and playwright. I said 'yes, what do you mean'. John Kani Bonisile was born on 30th August 1943 in New Brighton, Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Bonisile John Kani(born August 30, 1942) is a South African Broadway actor, director and playwright who has won a Tony Award for his performances inThe IslandandSizwe Banzi is Dead. He then voiced Rafiki in The Lion King (the live action remake of the Disney animated film). He was a very active student who participated in various activities in the school drama club. His career in acting began in the year 1965 when he joined the Serpent Players acting group in Port Elizabeth. "At least I'll be able to kiss Desdemona without leaving a smudge," he said then. He has an approximated net worth of $6 million. Atandwa Kani is not only recognized easily as John Kani’s talented son but also as actress Thembisa Mdoda’s former husband. John Kani Left eye loss Kani lost his left eye when the South African police beat him up while he was on his way home from a Broadway Production of “Sizwe Banzi is Dead”. He subsequently won a 1975 Tony Award for his performance. Known ForT'Chaka. The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, bestows an honorary doctorate degree on Bonisile John Kani. You are already subscribed to our newsletter! This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. [2], His son Atandwa is also an actor, who made his debut on U.S. television on the CW series Life Is Wild, and played a younger version of Kani's character T'Chaka in Black Panther. [11], On 20 February 2010, Kani received a SAFTA Life Time award. He has starred in various movies, some of which were directed by Jon Favreau, a producer and director in the Hollywood industry. John Kani is known to be a gentleman. John Kani worked again with Alfre Woodard and Florence Kasumba in The Lion King. Kani also received an Olivier Award nomination for his role in My Children! Bonisile John Kani (born August 30, 1942 in New Brighton, South Africa) is a South African actor, director and playwright. According to a 1989 interview with The Washington Post, after appearing in … 77 years old (in 2021) Date of Birth:August 30, 1943 Birthplace:New Brighton, Port Elizabeth, South Africa Zodiac Sign: Virgo He was voted 51st in the Top 100 Great South Africans in 2004. [1], The main theatre of the Market Theatre complex in Newtown, Johannesburg, has been renamed The John Kani Theatre in his honour. This play takes place in post-apartheid South Africa and does not concern the conflicts between whites and blacks, but the rift between blacks who stayed in South Africa to fight apartheid, and those who left only to return when the hated regime folded. After losing his left eye, he was forced to wear a prosthesis. Other awards include the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation Award for the year 2000 and the Olive Schreiner Prize for 2005. It won the 2003 Fleur du Cap Award for best actor and best new South African play. His left eye was lost in an incident with the South African police in 1975 and he now wears a prosthetic. Not many details are known about his health or if he suffered a stroke before. On his way there, he was surrounded by police who beat him and left him for dead. His left eye was lost as a result of the incident and he now wears a prosthesis. The Canadian actor is known for being charismatic, quirky, and quick-witted. John Kani Age. Today, Kani is an internationally acclaimed actor and writer. Absolutely'. Nonetheless, he believes the pain was worth it. He also voiced Rafiki in the 2019 adaptation of The Lion King. External Links John Kani young attended Newell High school in New Brighton. John Kani’s left eye is a glass prosthetic, losing his real eye in a clash with Apartheid police. Check your inbox to be the first to know the hottest news. Bonisile John Kani was born on 30 August 1943 in the Port Elizabeth township of New Brighton, in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province. They left him to die but luckily, he survived even though John Kani eye was damaged beyond repair. His charismatic character has caught the attention of both the young and old. His plays showed the world what life was like under the apartheid system. There, he received a phone call saying that his father wanted to see him. Kani survived though he … Personal Life John Kani was born on 30 August 1942, in New Brighton, Eastern Cape, South Africa. After matriculating at Newell High School , he worked with drama groups in the New Brighton area, performing in schools and community halls. Here is everything you need to know about the actor's life, including details about his career and personal life. Bonisile John Kani was born on August 30, 1943, in New Brighton, a township (urban district set aside for blacks) near Port Elizabeth, South Africa. He starred in Black Panther as the younger version of his father's character. John has a son by the name Atandwa Kani who is an actor. [9] He starred as T'Chaka in the Marvel Studios blockbusters Captain America: Civil War (2016) and Black Panther (2018). [10], Kani's play, Kunene and the King, a co-production for the Royal Shakespeare Company and Fugard Theatre, played in the Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon in 2019 before transferring back to Cape Town. He lost his left eye to a beating he received from Apartheid Police and wears a glass prosthetic eye. Nothing but the Truth is the story of two brothers, of sibling rivalry, of exile, of memory and reconciliation, and the ambiguities of freedom. The play was John Kani’s debut as sole playwright and was first performed in the Market Theatre in Johannesburg. He is currently 77 years old as of the year 2020. Kani was born on the 30 th of August, 1942, so that means as of recent he is 77 years old.. John Kani Son, Daughter and Family. In 1982, when Kani’s character in Miss Julie kissed a white woman on stage, half the audience left in protest and Kani received many death threats and survived an assassination attempt. John Kani lost more than his left eye to the struggle against apartheid: he once divulged he lost his uncle and brother to the struggle. Legit.ng recently reported about the life of Ryan Reynolds. The actor grew up at a time when the country was facing apartheid. Bonisile John Kani (born 30 August 1943 in New Brighton, Eastern Cape, South Africa, is a legendary South African actor, director and playwright. John Kani glass eye After losing his left eye, he was forced to wear a prosthesis. John has won the hearts of many people worldwide. [12] He has also received the Avanti Hall of Fame Award from the South African film, television, and advertising industries, an M-Net Plum award and a Clio award in New York. It plays into their escape plan. Finn Wittrock biography: Age, height, net worth, wife, movies. He lost his left eye to a beating he received from Apartheid Police and wears a glass prosthetic eye. Be the first to get hottest news from our Editor-in-Chief, Check your email and confirm your subscription. Old is Gold: Dr John Kani Blog In March this year, Dr John Kani’s masterpiece, Kunene and the King, opened at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon. 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