Brian Ogola
Kenyan actor (born 1989)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.[1][2]
Early life
Ogola was born in December 8, 1989[1] and raised in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, the son of George Josia Ogola Osele (1948–2021).[3] He attended Unity Primary School and later St. Mary’s School, Yala, where he completed his high school education and became interested in theatre.[4] He performed in church plays and musicals around the city from 2009.[1] 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.[4]
Career
In 2012 under the coaching of David Morin of Slingshot Productions, Ogola won an "actors monologue challenge"[where?].[citation needed] He made appearances in local tv shows such as Mwangaza, Love 101 on KTN, Block D[citation needed] and Lies That Bind (2013).[4] In 2014, he joined the soap opera Jane and Abel as leading man Abel Simba.[5]
In 2015, he starred as Anto in the movie Kati Kati, which won 6 awards at the 2017 Kalasha Awards,[6] as well as the 2017 Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Film Festival's Emerging Filmmaker Award[7] and Best Movie (East Africa) at the 2017 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards.[8]
In 2017, he starred in the short film Neophobia,[9] the only African movie chosen for the 70th Cannes Film Festival.[citation needed] He was nominated for best film supporting actor at the East African Riverwood Awards for his role in the movie.[citation needed] The same year, he appeared in the Too Early for Birds historical plays, based on the blog Owaahh[citation needed] and as Mark in the film 18 Hours written and directed by Njue Kevin.[citation needed]
In 2018, Ogola played Mutua in the Netflix short film Poacher.[4] The film was selected as a finalist at the Hollywood #Just4Shorts festival[citation needed] and was also selected to screen at the World of Film International Festival Glasgow'2018.[citation needed] The same year he appeared in the film Lusala.[9] He also appeared in the films Selina[when?] and Crime and Justice[when?].[9]
In 2022, he starred in the new play Speak their Names by Sylvia Cassini at venues in Nairobi.[10]
Filmography
Television
| Year | Project | Role | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Love101 | Cast | ||
| 2013 | Poison Ivy | Chris | Theatrical performance | [11] |
| 2011-14 | Lies that Bind | Ben Juma #2 | Series regular; Replaced Maqbul Mohammed during the series' run | [12] |
| 2013 - 2015 | Jane and Abel | Abel Simba | Protagonist | [13] |
| 2019 | The System | Chimano | Cast | |
| 2019 - 2021 | Pieces of Us | Richard | Cast | |
| 2021 - 2022 | Crime and Justice | Clive | Cast, 14 episodes | |
| 2023 | Second Family | Cast |
Film
| Year | Project | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Lusala | Cast | |
| 2018 | Poacher | Mutua | Cast, Short film |
| 2017 | 18 Hours | Mark | Cast |
| 2016 | Kati Kati | Anto | Cast |
| 2014 | Double Trouble | Major | Cast |
| 2017 | Neophobia | Dr. Adam Akunga | Cast, Short film |
| 2017 | Project Revenge | Cast | |
| 2018 | Disconnect | Richard | Cast |
| 2019 | Lusala | Lusala | Cast |
| 2020 | Cheque Mate | Zubedi | Cast |
| 2021 | Taliya | Jabari | Cast |
| 2021 | Mission to Rescue | ATPU Officer #1 | Cast |
| 2021 | Hynagogia | Chroistopher Bakari | Cast, Short film |
| 2022 | Chaguo | Kowa | Cast |
| 2022 | Disconnect: The Wedding Planner | Richard | Cast |
| 2025 | Goat | Cast, Short film |