Lizz Njagah | |
|---|---|
| Born | Elizabeth Anne Achieng' Njagah 26 December Nairobi, Kenya |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Known for | House of Lungula Makutano Junction |
| Spouse |
Alexandros Konstantaras
(m. 2012) |
| Children | 2 |
| Awards | London-Greek Festival Awards, 2013 |
Elizabeth Anne Achieng' Njagah (born 26 December) known as Lizz Njagah, is a Kenyan actress, film director and producer.[1]
Early life
Born and raised in Nairobi, Lizz is the seventh born among 10 siblings. Her mother died years later and her aunt took over as their guardian.[2]
Personal life
Lizz married filmmaker and director Alex Konstantaras on 10 June 2012 at the Church of St. Alexander in Greece.[3][4] On 10 February 2016, the couple welcomed their first son,[5] Georgios Apolo Konstantaras.[6]
Career
1998-early and mid 2000s: Early showbiz career
Lizz's career began in 1998 after she joined the Kenya National Theatre. She played various plays for one year, before she was awarded a two-year internship with Phoenix Players, where she had a number of roles and also doubled up as the Membership Secretary. She also appeared in a number of TV commercials for different brands including Lux Beauty Soap, Telkom Kenya and EABL's Fungua Fanaka promotion. She toured South Africa, Mozambique and Kenya with Seok Ho Lee's Play "Sara Baartman and the Four Karma's".
2006-10: Makutano Junction and venture in film industry
In 2007, she was cast as lead actress in Kenyan educative soap opera Makutano Junction as Nancy. She played with the likes of Maqbul Mohammed, Peter King Nzioka and Naomi Kamau.[7] In 2010, she produced and played in a movie, Me, My Wife and Her Guru.[7]
2011-12: Saints, Return of Lazarus
In 2011, she played the protagonist in medical drama series Saints. She got a role as a series regular in M-Net's Nigerian drama, Tinsel. She starred in the television series from its fourth season.[7][8] In 2012, she was cast as the lead in Greek/Kenyan road film, Return of Lazarus, for which she won a Best Actress award at the London Greek Film Festival for her portrayal of a Kenyan immigrant.[7][9]
2013-14: House of Lungula, Jane & Abel, Veve
In 2013, she and her husband Alex Konstantaras produced the award-winning movie House of Lungula. The movie received several awards and nominations and mainly got positive reviews from critics. She played Lola Taylor, wife of Ian Mbugua's character.[10] In 2014, she returned to television when she starred in Maisha Magic's television series, Jane and Abel. She played Jane, a loving mother and the central character of the soap opera. She also played in film, Veve. In 2015, she played leading lady in the drama-comedy How to Find a Husband.[11] She played alongside Sarah Hassan, Mumbi Maina, Nana Gichuru and Nice Githinji.[11]
2015-present: Fundi-Mentals, Pearls of Africa
She also had the main role in the erotic comedy film Fundi-Mentals. She played with other notable actors like Gerald Langiri.[12] She has also played in the film Pearls of Africa that is yet to be released.
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Me, My Wife And Her Guru | Angela | Nominated — Kalasha Awards for Best Lead Actress in a Film[13] |
| 2012 | The Return of Lazarus | King'ora | |
| 2013 | House of Lungula | Lola Taylor | Also executive producer and writer |
| 2014 | Deceit | Sheila | |
| 2014 | Veve | Esther | |
| 2015 | Fundi-Mentals | Also executive producer | |
| TBA | Pearls of Africa | Tess | Post-Production |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007–present | Makutano Junction | Nancy | Main role |
| 2011 | Noose of Gold | Featured | |
| 2011 | Saints | Dr. Salma Suleiman | |
| 2012 | Tinsel | Tare Duke | |
| 2014 | Jane & Abel | Jane | Main role |
| 2014 | Drift Beyond Conscious | Television film | |
| Live or Die | Rose | Television film | |
| 2015 | How to Find a Husband | Abigail | Main role |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Association | Award | Project | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | London-Greek Festival Awards | Best Actress | Return of Lazarus | Won | [14] |
References
- ↑ "Lizz njagah and woos". afrinolly.com. Retrieved October 11, 2015.
- ↑ Mukei, Catherine (20 April 2012). "Kenya: I Could See the Actress in My Daughter Lizz From the Time She Was Ten". All Africa. Archived from the original on 30 November 2022. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
- ↑ "BN Celebrity Weddings: Tinsel Star Lizz Njagah weds her filmmaker beau Alexandros Konstantaras in Greece". Bella Naija. 26 June 2012. Archived from the original on 28 January 2022. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
- ↑ Liadi, Ladun (23 June 2012). "Tinsel Star, Actress Lizz Njagah Marries". Ladun Liadi News. Archived from the original on 30 November 2022. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
- ↑ Jesaro, May (11 February 2016). "Actress Lizz Njagah and hubby Alex Konstantaras welcome baby boy". Standard Digital Entertainment. Archived from the original on 12 February 2016. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
- ↑ Chelagat, Joy (16 February 2016). "Actress Lizz Njagah reveals face of her newborn son". Citizen Digital. Archived from the original on 28 November 2021. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
- 1 2 3 4 Owino, Anjellah N. (1 November 2014). "Lizz Njagah:My career is beyond the screen". The Standard. Archived from the original on 30 November 2022. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
- ↑ "Tinsel Archives". Africa Magi. Archived from the original on 20 July 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
- ↑ "The Gorgeous Film Gladiator, Lizz Njagah". Creatives Garage. 28 February 2015. Archived from the original on 13 March 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
- ↑ Scaro, VJ (15 September 2013). "Trailer: 'House of Lungula' starring Lizz Njagah, Ian Mbugua, Sarah Hassan and more premieres November 21". Ameyaw Debrah. Archived from the original on 11 May 2022. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
- 1 2 Obenson, Tambay A. (4 May 2015). "Watch Full Preview Episode of New Hit Kenyan Dramedy Series, 'How to Find a Husband' + Hear From the Woman Behind It". Indiewire - Shadow and Act. Archived from the original on 2 April 2016. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
- ↑ "Coming Soon! Fundamentals a New Mental Sex Comedy by Historia Films". Nairobi Now. 29 June 2014. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
- ↑ "Vote for your 3rd edition Kalasha Awards winners". 98.4 Capital FM. 11 September 2011. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
- ↑ Scaro, VJ (23 October 2013). "The Return of Lazarus wins Kenyan actress, Lizz Njagah wins Best Actress Award in London Greek Film Festival". Ameyaw Debrah. Retrieved 17 October 2015.