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BIO

Bonisile John Kani is a South African actor, author, director and playwright. He is known for portraying T'Chaka in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films Captain America: Civil War and Black Panther, Rafiki in the 2019 remake of The Lion King and Colonel Ulenga in the Netflix film Murder Mystery.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

The Island
[Broadway]
1974
John
Sizwe Banzi Is Dead
[Broadway]
1974
Buntu
Styles

Writing

The Island
Playwright
Author

Awards and Nominations

Olivier Awards - 1984 - Actor of the Year in a New Play

John KaniMaster Harold And The Boys

Drama Desk Awards - 1975 - Outstanding Actor - Play

John Kani, Sizwe Banzi Is Dead

Drama Desk Awards - 1975 - Outstanding Actor - Play

John Kani, The Island


winner
Tony Awards - 1975 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

John Kani, Sizwe Banzi is Dead


winner
Tony Awards - 1975 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

John Kani, The Island

Tony Awards - 1975 - Best Play

John Kani, Sizwe Banzi is Dead

Tony Awards - 1975 - Best Play

John Kani, The Island

Videos

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News


Video: 'Bye Bye' Musical Sequence From Disney's MUFASA: THE LION KING Photo
Video: 'Bye Bye' Musical Sequence From Disney's MUFASA: THE LION KING
by Josh Sharpe - Jan 24, 2025

Disney’s “Mufasa: The Lion King” continues its reign at the top of the global box office, and now, the entire sequence featuring the villain song “Bye Bye” is viewable on DisneyMusic VEVO and YouTube. 
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld December 18, 2024 Photo
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld December 18, 2024
by - Dec 18, 2024

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is December 18, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Review Roundup: MUFASA: THE LION KING- What Do Critics Think of the Disney Prequel? Photo
Review Roundup: MUFASA: THE LION KING- What Do Critics Think of the Disney Prequel?
by Josh Sharpe - Dec 17, 2024

Find out what critics think of Mufasa: The Lion King, Disney's new prequel film featuring original songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda and a voice cast that includes Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., John Kani, Seth Rogan, Billy Eichner, Anika Noni Rose, and more. 
MUFASA: THE LION KING Soundtrack Featuring Lin-Manuel Miranda's Songs Now Streaming Photo
MUFASA: THE LION KING Soundtrack Featuring Lin-Manuel Miranda's Songs Now Streaming
by Josh Sharpe - Dec 13, 2024

Disney's Mufasa: The Lion King, featuring all-new songs from Broadway songwriter, Lin-Manuel Miranda, is now available to stream. The album includes newly written songs for the film, including Milele, I Always Wanted a Brother, and Tell Me It's You, performed by the cast. Listen to it now!
Video: South African Cultural Gospel Choir Performs 'Milele' From MUFASA: THE LION KI Photo
Video: South African Cultural Gospel Choir Performs 'Milele' From MUFASA: THE LION KING
by Josh Sharpe - Dec 12, 2024

Earlier this week, the South African Cultural Gospel Choir performed 'Milele', one of the captivating new songs from the all-new Mufasa: The Lion King soundtrack by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Watch their performance now!
MUFASA: THE LION KING Pays Tribute to James Earl Jones in Opening Credits Photo
MUFASA: THE LION KING Pays Tribute to James Earl Jones in Opening Credits
by Josh Sharpe - Dec 10, 2024

In the new Lion King prequel, director Barry Jenkins paid tribute to James Earl Jones during the opening credits. The late performer voiced the role in the original 1994 animated film and the 2019 remake.
PHOTO FLASH: Ya puedes ver las imágenes de la premier de MUFASA Photo
PHOTO FLASH: Ya puedes ver las imágenes de la premier de MUFASA
by Jose German Martinez Paneque - Dec 10, 2024

El pasado lunes 9 de diciembre tuvo lugar en Los Ángeles la premier de MUFASA, que contó con la asistencia de su elenco de voces original.
Video: New Clip of MUFASA: THE LION KING Song by Lin-Manuel Miranda Photo
Video: New Clip of MUFASA: THE LION KING Song by Lin-Manuel Miranda
by Josh Sharpe - Dec 6, 2024

Disney has shared a sneak peek clip from I Always Wanted A Brother, one of the original songs written by Lin-Manuel Miranda for the new film Mufasa: The Lion King. Watch the clip now!
MUFASA: EL REY LE"N llega a los cines el próximo 20 de diciembre Photo
MUFASA: EL REY LE"N llega a los cines el próximo 20 de diciembre
by Juan-Jose Gonzalez - Dec 4, 2024

Las entradas para esta nueva película Disney ya están a la venta.
MUFASA Soundtrack With New Songs From Lin-Manuel Miranda Release Date Announced Photo
MUFASA Soundtrack With New Songs From Lin-Manuel Miranda Release Date Announced
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 3, 2024

Walt Disney Records has announced a release date for the soundtrack to Disney's Mufasa: The Lion King. The Mufasa: The Lion King, featuring all-new songs from Tony-winning composer, Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Video: Lin-Manuel Miranda and Barry Jenkins Discuss MUFASA: THE LION KING Music Photo
Video: Lin-Manuel Miranda and Barry Jenkins Discuss MUFASA: THE LION KING Music
by Josh Sharpe - Dec 2, 2024

Discover the music of Mufasa: The Lion King in a new video featuring a discussion between Broadway favorite Lin-Manuel Miranda and director Barry Jenkins. Watch the video now!
Video: Lin-Manuel Miranda Teases MUFASA: THE LION KING Songs Photo
Video: Lin-Manuel Miranda Teases MUFASA: THE LION KING Songs
by Josh Sharpe - Dec 2, 2024

Multi-hyphenate Lin-Manuel Miranda visited Good Morning America on Monday to discuss the new songs he has written for Mufasa: The Lion King, the forthcoming Disney prequel. Watch the interview and a clip from the film!
Edward Gero to Join John Kani in KUNENE AND THE KING at Shakespeare Theatre Company Photo
Edward Gero to Join John Kani in KUNENE AND THE KING at Shakespeare Theatre Company
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 26, 2024

Edward Gero has been cast to play opposite previously announced John Kani in Kunene and the King at Shakespeare Theatre Company, directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson. Learn how to purchase tickets.
Video: MUFASA: THE LION KING Promo Spotlights Scar Photo
Video: MUFASA: THE LION KING Promo Spotlights Scar
by Josh Sharpe - Nov 25, 2024

Disney has debuted a new promo video for Mufasa: The Lion King, the prequel to the 2019 live-action remake. In the video, viewers bear witness to the early days of lions Mufasa and Scar, two brothers who would grow up to become adversaries. 
Video: MUFASA: THE LION KING Featurette; Tickets Now on Sale Photo
Video: MUFASA: THE LION KING Featurette; Tickets Now on Sale
by Josh Sharpe - Nov 18, 2024

Disney has unveiled a new behind-the-scenes featurette for Mufasa: The Lion King, the upcoming prequel to Disney's live-action remake of the animated classic. Additionally, tickets are available for the film, which is premiering in theaters on Friday, December 20. Watch the behind-the-scenes video now!
Video: MUFASA: THE LION KING Final Trailer and Poster Photo
Video: MUFASA: THE LION KING Final Trailer and Poster
by Josh Sharpe - Nov 8, 2024

Disney has debuted the final trailer for Mufasa: The Lion King, the prequel to the 2019 live-action remake. The movie is directed by Barry Jenkins with songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Watch the new trailer and take a look at the new poster now!
Feature: BEYOND CASTING: THE PLAY IS THE THING Photo
Feature: BEYOND CASTING: THE PLAY IS THE THING
by Herbert Paine - Nov 7, 2024

While casting practices have evolved to enhance diversity (albeit, too slowly and not enough), the selection of plays remains strikingly homogeneous. We need to focus on what is produced as much as who is cast.
Review: A Masterful MASTER HAROLD… AND THE BOYS at The Schoolhouse Theater Photo
Review: A Masterful MASTER HAROLD… AND THE BOYS at The Schoolhouse Theater
by Pia Haas - Sep 13, 2024

What did our critic think of A MASTERFUL MASTER HAROLD AND THE BOYS at The Schoolhouse Theater?
Video: New MUFASA: THE LION KING Trailer Premieres at D23 Photo
Video: New MUFASA: THE LION KING Trailer Premieres at D23
by Blair Ingenthron - Aug 10, 2024

Watch a new trailer for MUFASA: THE LION KING, in theatres on December 20, 2024!
Interview: Theatre Life with Simon Godwin Photo
Interview: Theatre Life with Simon Godwin
by Elliot Lanes - Jun 5, 2024

Today’s subject Simon Godwin is currently living his theatre life as the Artistic Director of DC’s Tony Award winning Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC). He assumed the position in 2019 succeeding the company’s founder Michael Kahn after a stunning 33-year reign.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has John Kani been in?

John Kani has appeared on Broadway in 2 shows.

How many West End shows has John Kani been in?

John Kani has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has John Kani been nominated for?

Actor of the Year in a New Play (Olivier Awards) for Master Harold And The Boys, Outstanding Actor - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Sizwe Banzi Is Dead , Outstanding Actor - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The Island, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Sizwe Banzi is Dead, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for The Island, Best Play (Tony Awards) for Sizwe Banzi is Dead and Best Play (Tony Awards) for The Island.

What awards has John Kani won?

John Kani has won the following awards: Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Sizwe Banzi is Dead and Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for The Island.

How many shows has John Kani written?

John Kani has written 2 shows including Sizwe Banzi Is Dead (Playwright), The Island (Playwright).

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