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Lupita Nyong'o Biography

Birth Name:Lupita Nyong'o

Birth Place:Mexico City, Mexico

Profession Actress, Producer, Soundtrack, Art department, Editorial department

Fast Facts

  • Was honored as one of Glamour Magazine's Women of the Year in 2014
  • In 2013, she won the Breakthrough Performer award at the Hamptons International Film Festival
  • Earned a master's degree in acting from Yale University's School of Drama
  • Earned a degree in film and theatre studies from Hampshire College
  • Is the daughter of Kenyan politician Peter Anyang' Nyong'o
  • While in college, she worked on the production crew of various films, including "The Constant Gardener" and "The Namesake․"
  • Was inspired to enter acting after watching "The Color Purple․"
  • Was picked out of 1,000 candidates to portray the character Patsey in "12 Years a Slave․"
  • Served as the face of the Tiffany & Co․ Fall 2016 campaign
  • Possesses the ability to fluently speak Swahili, Luo and Spanish

Awards

  • 2013AAFCA Award-Breakout Performance: winner
  • 2013EDA Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2013EDA Female Focus Award-Best Breakthrough Performance: winner
  • 2013AFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2013ACCA-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: winner
  • 2013BFCC Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2013BFCC Award-Best Ensemble: winner
  • 2013BOFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2013BSFC Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2013CFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2013CFCA Award-Most Promising Performer: nominated
  • 2013DFWFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2013DFCS Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2013FFCC Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2013Pauline Kael Breakout Award-: winner
  • 2013Golden Schmoes-Best Supporting Actress of the Year: nominated
  • 2013Golden Schmoes-Breakthrough Performance of the Year: nominated
  • 2013Gotham Independent Film Award-Breakthrough Actor: nominated
  • 2013Breakthrough Performer-: winner
  • 2013New Hollywood Award-: winner
  • 2013HFCS Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2013IGN Award-Best Movie Actress: nominated
  • 2013ICP Award-Best Supporting Performance: winner
  • 2013KCFCC Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2013Sierra Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2013LAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2013NYFCC Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2013NYFCO Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2013OFCS Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2013PFCS Award-Best Acting Ensemble: nominated
  • 2013PFCS Award-Breakthrough Performance on Camera: nominated
  • 2013PFCS Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: winner
  • 2013SDFCS Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2013SFFCC Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2013SEFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2013SLFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2013TFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2013VVFP Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2013WAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2013WIN Award-Outstanding Actress Feature Film: winner
  • 2014AACTA International Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2014Oscar-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: winner
  • 2014Hollywood Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2014Hollywood Award-Breakthrough Performance of the Year: nominated
  • 2014Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role: winner
  • 2014Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2014BAFTA Film Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2014BET Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 2014Black Reel-Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, Female: winner
  • 2014Black Reel-Outstanding Supporting Actress, Motion Picture: winner
  • 2014Palmarés blogos de oro-Best Supporting Actress (Mejor Actriz de reparto): nominated
  • 2014COFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2014Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2014DFCS Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2014Dorian Award-Film Performance of the Year - Actress: nominated
  • 2014Empire Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2014Empire Award-Best Female Newcomer: nominated
  • 2014Independent Spirit Award-Best Supporting Female: winner
  • 2014GAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2014Breakthrough Award-: nominated
  • 2014Gold Derby Film Award-Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2014Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: nominated
  • 2014Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2014Guardian Film Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2014Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: winner
  • 2014ICS Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2014INOCA-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2014IFC Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2014IOMA-Best Supporting Actress (Miglior attrice non protagonista): nominated
  • 2014ALFS Award-Supporting Actress of the Year: winner
  • 2014MTV Movie Award-Best Female Performance: nominated
  • 2014NSFC Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2014NCFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2014OFTA Film Award-Best Breakthrough Performance: Female: winner
  • 2014OFTA Film Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2014Breakthrough Performance Award-: winner
  • 2014Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2014Screen Nation Film and Television Award-Favourite Female African Intl. Rising Screen Talent: winner
  • 2014Seattle Film Critics Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2014VFCC Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2015ACCA-Best Cast Ensemble: nominated
  • 2015CinEuphoria-Best Supporting Actress - International Competition: nominated
  • 2015CinEuphoria-Best Duo - International Competition: winner
  • 2015Cinema Bloggers Award-Best Supporting Actress - International Competition: winner
  • 2015CCOP-Best Supporting Actress (Melhor Atriz Secundária): winner
  • 2015CCOP-Best Scene or Sequence (Melhor Cena ou Sequência): winner
  • 2015IOFCP Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2016Saturn Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2016IFJA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2016MTV Movie Award-Best Virtual Performance: nominated
  • 2016OFTA Film Award-Best Voice-Over Performance: nominated
  • 2017AMAA-Best Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2017BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award-Best Female Vocal Performance in a Feature Film in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2017BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a Feature Film: nominated
  • 2017Black Reel-Outstanding Voice Performance: nominated
  • 2017Black Reel-Outstanding Supporting Actress, Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2017COFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2017HFCS Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2017Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2017National Film Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2017The BAM Award-Best Cast: nominated
  • 2018Saturn Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2018BET Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2018MTV Movie + TV Award-Best On-Screen Team: nominated
  • 2018National Film and Television Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2018Teen Choice Award-Choice: Liplock: nominated
  • 2018Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Actress: Sci-Fi: nominated
  • 2018Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie: Ship: nominated
  • 2018The BAM Award-Best Cast: winner
  • 2019Saturn Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2019Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: winner
  • 2019AAFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 2019BFCC Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 2019Black Reel-Outstanding Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2019BOFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 2019CFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 2019DFWFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2019DFCS Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2019DFCA Award-Best Film Actress: winner
  • 2019DFCC-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2019Fright Meter Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2019Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: nominated
  • 2019Golden Schmoes-Best Actress of the Year: winner
  • 2019GWNYFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2019HCA Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 2019IGN Award-Best Lead Performer in a Movie: nominated
  • 2019Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2019IFJA Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 2019ICP Award-Best Lead Actress: winner
  • 2019Halfway Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2019IFCS Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 2019KCFCC Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 2019Blimp Award-Favorite Movie Actress: nominated
  • 2019LAFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2019MTV Movie + TV Award-Best Villain: nominated
  • 2019MTV Movie + TV Award-Best Performance in a Movie: nominated
  • 2019NYFCC Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 2019NYFCO Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 2019NTFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2019Odyssey Award-Best Lead Actress: winner
  • 2019OFCC Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 2019OAFFC Award-Best Female Lead: winner
  • 2019OFTA Film Award-Best Ensemble: nominated
  • 2019People's Choice Award-Favorite Female Movie Star: nominated
  • 2019People's Choice Award-Favorite Drama Movie Star: nominated
  • 2019PFCC Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 2019PCC Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 2019SDFCS Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 2019SFBAFCC Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 2019SFCS Award-Best Villain: nominated
  • 2019SFCS Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 2019SEFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2019The BAM Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 2019The BAM Award-Best Cast: nominated
  • 2019TFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 2019UFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2019Vice/Martin Award-: nominated
  • 2019VHS Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2019VFCC Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2019WAFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 2019WFCC Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 2020Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2020EDA Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 2020EDA Special Mention Award-Bravest Performance: nominated
  • 2020American Film Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2020AFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 2020AACTA Award-Best Lead Actress: nominated
  • 2020AFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2020ACCA-Best Actress in a Leading Role: winner
  • 2020Black Reel-Outstanding Actress, Motion Picture: winner
  • 2020Palmarés blogos de oro-Best Lead Actress (Mejor Actriz): nominated
  • 2020BOFA-Best Actress: winner
  • 2020CIC Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 2020CinEuphoria-Best Actress - International Competition: nominated
  • 2020CinEuphoria-Best Actress - Audience Award: winner
  • 2020COFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 2020Critics Choice Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2020DFCS Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2020Dorian Award-Film Performance of the Year - Actress: nominated
  • 2020Chainsaw Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 2020GAFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 2020Gold Derby Film Award-Supporting Actress of the Decade: winner
  • 2020Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble of the Decade: nominated
  • 2020Gold Derby Film Award-Lead Actress: winner
  • 2020Gold Derby Film Award-Lead Actress of the Decade: nominated
  • 2020HFCS Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2020HCA Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 2020HFCS Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2020Image Award-Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television or Motion Picture): nominated
  • 2020Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture: winner
  • 2020ICS Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2020LEJA Award-Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2020ALFS Award-Actress of the Year: nominated
  • 2020MCFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 2020NCFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 2020NDFS Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2020OFTA Television Award-Best Voice-Over Performance in a Animated Program: nominated
  • 2020OFTA Film Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 2020OFCS Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 2020Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Narrator: nominated
  • 2020Critics Award-Best Foreign Actress (Melhor Atriz Estrangeira): winner
  • 2020Audience Award-Best Foreign Actress (Melhor Atriz Estrangeira): winner
  • 2020Montecito Award-: winner
  • 2021Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Limited Performance in a Children's Program: winner
  • 2022OFTA Television Award-Best Narration: nominated
  • 2022Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Narrator: nominated
  • 2023CinEuphoria-Best Supporting Actress - International Competition: nominated
  • 2023Girls on Film Award-Best Female Friendship on Screen: nominated
  • 2023Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2023Imagen Award-Best Actress - Feature Film: nominated
  • 2023Blimp Award-Favorite Movie Actress: nominated
  • 2023Yoga Award-Worst Foreign Actress: winner
  • 2024Astra Award-Best Performance in a Horror or Thriller: nominated
  • 2024Astra Award-Best Voice-Over Performance: winner
  • 2024AFCC Award-Best Voice Performance: winner
  • 2024Chainsaw Award-Best Lead Performance: nominated
  • 2024IFJA Award-Best Vocal/Motion Capture Performance: winner
  • 2024SLFCA Award-Best Vocal Performance: winner
  • 2024WAFCA Award-Best Voice Performance: winner
  • 2025Saturn Award-Best Actress in a Film: nominated
  • 2025EDA Female Focus Award-Best Animated/Voiced Performance: winner
  • 2025Annie-Outstanding Achievement for Voice Acting in an Animated Feature: winner
  • 2025AFCA Award-Best Voice Acting/Animated/Digital Performance: winner
  • 2025Black Reel-Outstanding Voice Performance: winner
  • 2025Windie-Sight Unseen Performance: winner
  • 2025CACF Award-Best Hybrid Performance: winner
  • 2025CCA Super Award-Best Actress in a Science Fiction/Fantasy Movie: nominated
  • 2025DFCS Award-Best Non-Live-Action Performance: winner
  • 2025Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2025Image Award-Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Motion Picture): nominated
  • 2025Blimp Award-Favorite Female Animated Voice from a Movie: nominated
  • 2025LEJA Award-Best Voice Performance: winner
  • 2025NCFCA Award-Best Vocal Performance in Animation or Mixed Media: winner
  • 2025OFTA Film Award-Best Voice-Over Performance: winner
  • 2025PFCA Award-Best Animated Voice Performance: winner
  • 2025WFCC Award-Best Animated Female: winner