Ruth Ndulu Maingi (born May 22, 1983) is a Kenyan actress. She is best known for her roles in the films 18 Hours, The Distant Boat, and Midlife Crisis.
Personal life & Education Ruth Maingi, a Kenyan actress, was born on May 22, 1983, in Machakos, Kenya, as the fourth child in a family of six siblings. She received her primary education at Township Muslim Primary School in Machakos and later attended Kathiani High School for her secondary education. Following her high school graduation, Maingi pursued further studies and obtained a diploma in insurance.
Ruth Maingi pursued formal training in acting at the London Academy for Film and Television. She also studied dance and movement at the Kenya Performing Arts School.
Career Ruth began her career as a dancer, then later shifted to performing arts to pursue a career and joined Kenya National Theatre Performing Arts School for two years. In 2007, she joined Kigezi Ndoto Musical Theatre Performances. Then, in 2008, she moved to India and cast for Sauti Kimya and Githaa.
In 2011, she made her film debut with the film The Marshal of Finland, and in the same year, she was selected for a lead role in the television series Lies that Bind, which made her television debut. In the series, she played the role of 'Salome', the third wife and Richard Juma's true love, and the third wife. Then, in 2013, she starred in the popular Swahili drama Mama Duka in the titular role. For her role, she was later honoured at the 2014 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards.
She played a major role as a coach in the television serial The Team, with a media focus on Africa, produced by Dreamcatcher. In 2014, she starred in two films: The Next East African Film Maker and Orphan. In 2018, she made her Nollywood debut with the film Family First, directed by Lancelot Imasuen.
Awards Year Award Movie/FilmCategory ResultsRef 2022 Kenya Film Commission Women In Film Awards (WIFA) Best Costume Designer Won 2020 People's Film Festival POKER Best Actress Won 2020 Kalasha Awards Midlife Crisis Best Actress Nominated 2018 The Africa Film Festival (TAFF) Awards Humanitarian Awards Won 2017 African Broadcasting and Entertainment Awards (AHBEA) N/A Icon-African Movie Industry Won 2014 Kalasha Awards TV Drama Best Lead Actress Nominated 2014 AMVCA Lies That Bind Episode 2 Season 2 Best Costume Designer Nominated
Recognition Ruth Maingi has received several recognitions for her contributions to the film industry and her advocacy work: In March 2024, she was appointed as the Kenyan representative at the upcoming African Leadership Conference held in Ghana. In 2023, she was appointed as an ambassador of the African Cultural Film Festival (AFRICUFF) in Houston. She was appointed as an advocate at the Kings Hearts Advocacy for Women and Children Foundation. She was also appointed as an advocate for the Feed the Poor Foundation, a non-profit organization operating in America and Africa. In March 2022, she was recognized among the 100 women honored during Women's History Month by Women in Film.
Filmography Year Film Role Genre Ref. 2012 The Marshal of Finland Maria Film 2013 Mama Duka Mama Duka TV series short 2013 The Distant Boat Ruth Malombe Film 2015 Fundi-Mentals Film 2017 18 Hours Film 2018 Family First Matelo Film 2019 The System Rachel TV series 2020 Lies that Bind Salome TV series 2020 Midlife Crisis Gigi, Stylist Film 2023Play BackKatherineFilm2023Finding JoySisterFilm2023Daddy's CallMumFilm
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