Joseph Olita
Joseph Olita | |
---|---|
Born | Joseph Ogola Olita 31 March 1944 |
Died | 1 June 2014 |
Nationality | Kenyan |
Citizenship | Kenyan |
Occupation | Actor |
Notable work | Rise and Fall of Idi Amin |
Children | 12 |
Parent |
|
Joseph Ogola Olita (31 March 1944[1] – 1 June 2014)[2] was a Kenyan actor who was best known for portraying Idi Amin in Rise and Fall of Idi Amin (1981) and Mississippi Masala (1991).[3][4][5]
Early life and education
Joseph Ogola Olita[6] was born on 31 March 1944[1][7] to mother Regina Oduma.[4][8] In 1951, Olita attended Pap Oriang Primary School. In 1958, he enrolled at St. Mary's Yala where he went for his O level[7] and was an active drama club member.[9]
After completing his secondary education, Olita was an employee of the Brooke Bond Company in
Acting career
According to
In 1984, Olita portrayed the minor role of the First Policeman in Sheena.[2][8][11][15] In 1991, he reprised his role as Amin for the second and final time in Mississippi Masala which also starred Denzel Washington.[5][8][11][15][16][17] Olita also portrayed an army general in The Black Forest Clinic.[10]
Olita's final screen appearance was in the 2011 romantic comedy, The Captain of Nakara, in which he portrayed Muntu’s father in-law.[11]
Life after acting
Olita was also an
Following the election of
Olita was also the author of two books. One of them is a book on nutrition titled Health is Wealth.[10][19]
In July 2013, Olita was spotted on the streets of Nairobi selling unlicensed copies of his movies.[6][8][11][18]
Before his death, Olita was staying in Uganda where he was selling electrical appliances.[9]
Personal life and death
In 1980, while Olita was working in his well known role playing Idi Amin, he wrote a letter to the real Amin requesting to meet him but Amin never responded.[9]
In a 2013 interview, Olita described himself as a
Olita died on 1 June 2014 at his rural home in Pap Oriang’ in South East Alego of the
According to Sipross Odero, a relative of Olita, his body was removed to Bama Private Hospital mortuary. A funeral committee has been set up in his home village chaired by the South Alego Ward representative Joshua Osuri.[9] Along with his aforementioned living relatives, Olita is survived by one wife, by the name of Alice Atieno, and several children including daughter Risper Odero, and grandchildren.[4][7][17]
Select filmography
- Rise and Fall of Idi Amin (1981) - Idi Amin
- Sheena (1984) - 1st Policeman
- The Mines of Kilimanjaro (1986) - Tribe Chief (uncredited)
- Mississippi Masala (1991) - Idi Amin (Last appearance)
- The Captain of Nakara (2012) - Muntu's father-in-law
References
- ^ a b Joseph Olita biography at The New York Times
- ^ a b "Lifestyle - 'Idi Amin actor' passes, aged 70". Standardmedia.co.ke. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
- ^ a b c Team, KTN Home Video, Standard Digital News - Renowned Kenyan actor Joseph Olita dies at the age of seventy, retrieved 2018-04-27
- ^ a b c d Oloo, Eric (3 June 2014). "Idi Amin actor Joseph Olita dies in Siaya". The Star. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
- ^ a b "The Rise and Fall of Joseph Olita: A Tribute". 5 June 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2015.
- ^ a b c Kenyan Actor who Played Idi Amin In Film Passes On on YouTube
- ^ a b c d e Kakembo, Titus (3 June 2014). "Joseph Olita of Rise And Fall of Amin dead". New Vision. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
- ^ a b c d e "Kenya's Idi Amin – Joseph Olita Dies". Archived from the original on 6 May 2015. Retrieved 1 May 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g Ashaba, Anita (3 June 2014). "Joseph Olita who Acted As 'Idi Amin' Passes On At 70". UGO News. Archived from the original on 17 July 2014. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
- ^ a b c Joseph Olita at YouTube
- ^ a b c d e f g Langiri, Gerald (2 June 2014). "Joseph Olita (Actor Who Played Idid Amin) Dies at the Age of 70". Retrieved 1 May 2015.
- ^ Obituary: Joseph Olita on playing Idi Amin at YouTube
- ^ Lawrence, John (15 March 2015). "Kenyans who could have won oscars but didnt". The Nairobian. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
- ^ Lawrence, John (15 March 2015). "Kenyans who could have won oscars but didnt (part 2)". The Nairobian. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
- ^ a b Hollywood.com
- ^ "Kenya's Acting Fraternity Mourns the Demise of Two Talented Artists". Kenya Forum. 3 June 2014. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
- ^ a b Veteran Actor Joseph Olita Dies at YouTube
- ^ a b Abeka, Moses (24 July 2013). "From acting to selling pirated movies, The Rise and Fall of Joseph Olita, the "Idi Amin" actor". Big Eye. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
- ^ Renowned Kenyan actor Joseph Olita dies at the age of seventy on YouTube
- ^ "IDI AMIN" at YouTube
- ^ "Joseph Olita the Star actor in the Rise and Fall of Idi Amin dies in Siaya". 2 June 2014. Archived from the original on 9 March 2016. Retrieved 1 May 2015.
External links
- Joseph Olita at IMDb