Blu Mankuma Biography

Fast Facts

• Became interested in performing only after being selected to participate in the Project Overcome as a teenager in his native Seattle, an educational experience aimed at motivating innercity youth
• Quote: "[When asked about his time with the Sepia Players and South African playwright Athol Fugard] "Learning and growing as an actor while at the same time striking a blow against apartheid was an honor and privilege․""
• After years of appearing in front of the cameras, he would transition to voiceover work by the 2000s, working on animated favorites including "G․I․ Joe", "My Little Pony" and "RoboCop", among others
• Began shopping his own talk show "Outta The Blu" to various Vancouver-area television stations in the early 2010s
• Eventually gained Canadian citizenship after relocating to Vancouver during Vietnam
• An avid musician, he once traveled with his own band, Smokin' Pocket