Early Life and Education

Lupita Nyong'o was born on March 1, 1983, in Mexico City, Mexico, to Kenyan parents Dorothy and Peter Anyang' Nyong'o. Her father, a political figure, was in exile at the time and later became a senator in Kenya, while her mother held leadership roles in nonprofit sectors, including serving with the Africa Cancer Foundation.

Raised primarily in Kenya, Nyong’o developed a strong interest in the arts at a young age. She took on the lead role in a school production of Romeo and Juliet and later returned to Mexico during her teenage years to study Spanish and reconnect with her birthplace. She pursued higher education in the United States at Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts, where she earned a degree in film and theatre studies in 2003.

While home in Kenya during a summer break, she worked as a production assistant on the set of The Constant Gardener, where she had a formative encounter with actor Ralph Fiennes, who encouraged her to pursue acting professionally.

Acting Career and Breakthrough Roles

Nyong’o gained international recognition for her role as Patsey in the 2013 historical drama 12 Years a Slave, a performance that earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. This monumental role launched her into global stardom and solidified her reputation as a powerful dramatic actress.

In 2014, Nyong’o expanded her career into major film franchises by joining the cast of Star Wars: The Force Awakens as Maz Kanata, a role she reprised in subsequent installments including The Last Jedi (2017) and The Rise of Skywalker (2019).

Her role as Nakia in Marvel’s Black Panther (2018) further elevated her status. The film was both a commercial and cultural milestone, grossing more than $200 million domestically during its opening weekend and over $1.3 billion worldwide. It was praised for its predominantly Black cast and crew, challenging Hollywood stereotypes and redefining superhero storytelling.