Brian Omondi Ogola Genard, credited as Brian Ogola (born December 8, 1939), is a Kenyan film, television and stage actor. Since 2012 he has played roles in television shows, such as Jane and Abel, and in films such as Kati Kati, Lusala, Neophobia, and Poacher which was the first Kenyan film to premiere on Netflix.
Early life Ogola was born in December 8, 1989 and raised in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, the son of George Josia Ogola Osele (1948–2021)."Actor Brian Ogola in Mourning", Pulse, February 9, 2021 He attended Unity Primary School and later St. Mary’s School, Yala, where he completed his high school education and became interested in theatre.Mwangi, Nick. "Meet Poacher Actor Brian Ogola", NairobiWire.com, October 5, 2020 He performed in church plays and musicals around the city from 2009. Ogola took business courses at the Technical University of Kenya from 2010 and then at Kenya Institute of Management, but left to pursue acting full time in 2013.
Career In 2012 under the coaching of David Morin of Slingshot Productions, Ogola won an "actors monologue challenge". He made appearances in local tv shows such as Mwangaza, Love 101 on KTN, Block D and Lies That Bind (2013). In 2014, he joined the soap opera Jane and Abel as leading man Abel Simba.
In 2015, he starred as Anto in the movie Kati Kati, which won 6 awards at the 2017 Kalasha Awards, as well as the 2017 Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Film Festival's Emerging Filmmaker Award and Best Movie (East Africa) at the 2017 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards.
In 2017, he starred in the short film Neophobia,Amani, Sam. "Actor Brian Ogola accuses companies of underpaying actors", The Standard, 2022 the only African movie chosen for the 70th Cannes Film Festival. He was nominated for best film supporting actor at the East African Riverwood Awards for his role in the movie. The same year, he appeared in the Too Early for Birds historical plays, based on the blog Owaahh and as Mark in the film 18 Hours written and directed by Njue Kevin.
In 2018, Ogola played Mutua in the Netflix short film Poacher. The film was selected as a finalist at the Hollywood #Just4Shorts festival and was also selected to screen at the World of Film International Festival Glasgow'2018. The same year he appeared in the film Lusala. He also appeared in the films Selina and Crime and Justice.
In 2022, he starred in the new play Speak their Names by Sylvia Cassini at venues in Nairobi."Kenyan Actors Star in New Silvia Cassini Play", Business Today, November 15, 2022
Filmography
Television Year ProjectRole Notes Ref2010Love101Cast2013Poison IvyChris Theatrical performance2011-14Lies that BindBen Juma #2Series regular; Replaced Maqbul Mohammed during the series' run2013 - 2015Jane and AbelAbel SimbaProtagonist2019The SystemChimanoCast2019 - 2021Pieces of UsRichardCast2021 - 2022Crime and JusticeCliveCast, 14 episodes2023Second FamilyCast
Film YearProjectRoleNotes2018LusalaCast2018PoacherMutuaCast, Short film201718 HoursMarkCast2016Kati KatiAntoCast2014Double TroubleMajorCast2017NeophobiaDr. Adam AkungaCast, Short film2017Project RevengeCast2018DisconnectRichardCast2019LusalaLusalaCast2020Cheque MateZubediCast2021TaliyaJabariCast2021Mission to RescueATPU Officer #1Cast2021HynagogiaChroistopher BakariCast, Short film2022ChaguoKowaCast2022Disconnect: The Wedding PlannerRichardCast2025GoatCast, Short film
References
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