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Emmanuel Kabongo

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Emmanuel Kabongo
Kabongo in 2020
Born
Emmanuel Kabongo

(1986-12-25) December 25, 1986 (age 39)
Lubumbashi, Zaire
EducationCanadian Film Centre
OccupationsActor, producer
Years active2009–present

Emmanuel Kabongo (born December 25, 1986) is a Canadian actor and producer.[1][2] Born and raised in Zaire, now present day Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kabongo immigrated to Canada and began his acting career as an extra before achieving recognition for his performance as the lead protagonist in the Toronto-based web series Teenagers (2014–2017), for which he earned his first Canadian Screen Award nomination in 2016.[3] Kabongo also co-produced Teenagers.[1]

Kabongo has starred in feature films such as The Animal Project (2013), Pompeii (2014), Antibirth (2016), Brown Girl Begins (2017), Simulant (2023), and Sway (2024), the latter of which he also co-produced.[4][5]

On television, Kabongo has been featured in series such as Murdoch Mysteries (2013), Frankie Drake Mysteries (2017–2019), Rookie Blue (2013–2014), Quantico (2015), 21 Thunder (2017), Taken (2018), Departure (2019), Ransom (2019), Hudson & Rex (2019), NCIS: Hawaiʻi (2022), and Outer Banks (2023), among others.

Throughout his career as an actor, Kabongo has earned three Canadian Screen Award nominations.[a]

Early life

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Kabongo was born and raised in Lubumbashi, a city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (which was then known as Zaire),[2][6][7] before relocating with his family to South Africa during the war.[6][7] He has four brothers, including basketball player Myck Kabongo, and one sister.[6][7]

In the 1990s, Kabongo immigrated to Toronto with his family.[7][8][9] Kabongo's father often worked as an extra, which exposed Kabongo to show business at a young age.[7][8][9] In school, Kabongo played competitive basketball; he later turned down a basketball scholarship from the University of New Brunswick to pursue acting.[6] Kabongo also struggled with scoliosis in his youth.[6]

Before he began pursuing acting, Kabongo worked several jobs, including at a daycare, a Foot Locker, at the Canadian National Exhibition, and vacuuming floors and cleaning toilets at a train station.[8][9]

Career

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Kabongo began his acting career in 2009, working as an extra on Canadian television series such as Nikita and Flashpoint.[6] One of Kabongo's early background actor jobs was on the hit 2004 film Mean Girls.[6][7] Kabongo's first role in a full-length feature film came in 2013 with the release of Ingrid Veninger's independent film The Animal Project.[10][11] The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and received generally positive reviews.[10] He completed an actor's residency at Norman Jewison's Canadian Film Centre in 2015.[12] In 2014, Kabongo portrayed a gladiator in Paul W. S. Anderson's romantic historical disaster film Pompeii. The film won the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television's Golden Screen Award for 2014 as the year's top-grossing Canadian film.[13]

Throughout the 2010s and 2020s, Kabongo guest-starred in a variety of television programs, including Call Me Fitz (2012), Murdoch Mysteries (2013), Rookie Blue (2013–2014), Quantico (2015), Taken (2018), Departure (2019), Ransom (2019), Hudson & Rex (2019), NCIS: Hawaiʻi (2022), and Outer Banks (2023), among others.[14][9]

Kabongo in 2016

With filmmaker Houston Bone (then credited as M. H. Murray[1]), Kabongo co-produced the first season of the web series Teenagers.[15] In 2013, Bone approached Kabongo with the scripts and asked him to help produce the series; they subsequently cast the rest of the characters together using only actors from Toronto.[1][16] Louis Chunovic of Playback published a piece on the series, writing that "the young creators of Teenagers had to have plenty of luck, pluck, talent, and grit to get this far. And that portends a Hollywood ending".[15] Kabongo also starred as the lead male protagonist in the series.[17] Teenagers received positive reviews from critics and was frequently compared to the Degrassi franchise and the UK television series Skins.[18][19] The series amassed millions of views on YouTube over the course of three seasons.[20] For his performance in the second season of Teenagers, Kabongo earned his first Canadian Screen Award nomination in 2016.[2][21]

In 2016, Kabongo produced and starred in A Man's Story, a short film for which he received funding from bravoFACT.[22] The short film premiered at the ReelWorld Film Festival.[23] That year, he also played a supporting role in Antibirth, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and was released on September 2, 2016, in the U.S., by IFC Midnight.[24]

In September 2016, CBC announced it had commissioned a one-hour drama series that follows the star players of an under-21 soccer academy in Montreal, titled 21 Thunder, with Kabongo slated to star as one of the lead characters, an Ivory Coast mid-fielder named Junior Lolo.[25][26] The series premiered in Canada on July 31, 2017, to generally positive reviews.[27] Also that year, Kabongo appeared in three episodes of the CBC series Frankie Drake Mysteries as a boxer named Moses,[28] and he starred opposite Mouna Traoré in Brown Girl Begins, a post-apocalyptic science fiction film directed by Sharon Lewis.[29]

Kabongo at a Canadian Film Centre event in 2017

In 2020, he starred in an episode of the CBS All Access series Star Trek: Discovery as V’Kir.[30] That year, he also played a supporting role in the Canadian political comedy film Québexit, which premiered at the Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival in September 2020.[31]

Kabongo received a second Canadian Screen Award nomination in 2022, for his leading performance in the television film Death She Wrote.[2][32] He received a third nomination in 2023 for this supporting performance in the web series Chateau Laurier.[2][33][34][35] He won several other awards for his performance in Chateau Laurier at web series festivals.

In 2022, he was cast in April Mullen’s sci-fi thriller, Hello Stranger.[36] That film, later retitled Simulant, was released theatrically in Canada by Mongrel Media on April 7, 2023.[37][38][39] Kabongo was featured in the film alongside a cast that included Sam Worthington and Simu Liu.[37]

In 2024, Kabongo starred in and produced the low-budget independent drama feature film Sway.[4][40][5][41][42] Kabongo described the film as a "wild rollercoaster."[43][44][45] The film premiered at the 2024 Pan African Film Festival in the U.S.,[46] and held its Canadian premiere the following week at the 2024 Toronto Black Film Festival with two sold out screenings.[47] It also screened in the Borsos Competition program at the 2024 Whistler Film Festival.[48]

Influences

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Kabongo found early acting inspiration in action films from the 1990s that his mother showed him as a child.[49] In an interview with CBC Arts, Kabongo said that "taking acting serious came from watching how my mom reacted to films of the '90s ... [She] loves Denzel, Van Damme, Sylvester Stallone... My mom watched all those movies growing up, and knowing how that made her feel, I just wanted to do the same thing for her."[49] Kabongo has cited Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Mahershala Ali, Viola Davis, and Daniel Day-Lewis as acting inspirations.[7]

Personal life

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Kabongo is a Christians.[35] Kabongo was active during the protests following the police murder of George Floyd in summer 2020.[50] In an interview with Harry Rosen, he said that "it’s important to me as a Black man to stand up for what is right, supporting the cause against police brutality."[7]

Awards

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Year Association Category Nominated work Result
2013 African Entertainment Awards Best African Actor Self Won
2014 Los Angeles Web Series Festival[51] Outstanding Drama Series Teenagers
Black Canadian Awards Best Male Actor Self Nominated
2015 Self
2016 Reelworld Film Festival Impact Award A Man's Story Won
2016 4th Canadian Screen Awards[52] Best Performance in a Program or Series Produced for Digital Media Teenagers Nominated
2017 International Academy of Web Television[53] Best Male Performance – Drama
AfroGlobal Television Excellence Awards Rising Star Award Self Won
2019 ReelWorld Film Festival Trailblazer Award
2022 10th Canadian Screen Awards[32] Lead Actor, Television Film or Miniseries Death She Wrote Nominated
2023 11th Canadian Screen Awards[33] Supporting Performance, Web Program or Series Chateau Laurier

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2009 The Red Pearl John Minor role
2011 Night Express Crazy Billy
2013 The Animal Project Ray Main role
2014 Pompeii African Gladiator Minor role
2016 The Other Half Officer James Supporting role
Antibirth Luke
A Man's Story Kam Eganda bravoFACT short film, lead role, also producer
2017 Brown Girl Begins Tony Lead role
2018 Extracurricular Mike Vanden Supporting role
2019 Run This Town Abe
2020 Québexit James Brodie
2021 Death She Wrote Rand Tollson
2023 Simulant Joshua
Write Place, Write Time Daniel Rose
2024 Sway Sway Also producer
Beautiful Wedding Buzz
2025 It Comes in Waves Coach Patterson

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2010 Breakout George Hyatt 1 episode
Forensic Factor Jack
Flashpoint Kevin
Nikita Safwani's Bodyguard No. 4
2011 Christmas Magic Chef No. 1 Television film
InSecurity Shinka 1 episode
2012 Cybergeddon FBI agent No. 1 2 episodes
Call Me Fitz Joe 1 episode
2013 Murdoch Mysteries Al
Mayday First Officer Beyene
Black Actress Jessie
2014 Defiance EMC Soldier
The Ron James Show Actor 2 episodes
2013–2014 Rookie Blue Shay Bishop
2014–2017 Teenagers T Main role, web series
2015 Hemlock Grove Marshall 2 episodes
Quantico Kamran Tahan 1 episode
2017 21 Thunder Junior Lolo Main role
2017–2019 Frankie Drake Mysteries Moses 5 episodes
2018 Evolve: Year Zero Blue Main role, web series
Darken: Before the Dark Artemis Web series
Kristal Clear Benjamin
Taken Domingo 1 episode
2019 Street Legal Roman Mussi 2 episodes
Ransom Tyler LeFebure 4 episodes
Departure Orderly 3 episodes
Hudson & Rex Valentine Anson 2 episodes
V-Wars Jack Fields
2020 Star Trek: Discovery V’Kir 1 episode
2021 Death She Wrote Rand Tolson Television film
True Story Man 2 episodes
2022 The Kings of Napa Everett James 1 episode
NCIS: Hawaiʻi Pirate 2
Chateau Laurier Gabriel Sabot Web series
2023 Outer Banks Raj 3 episodes
2025- Murdoch Mysteries Ephraim Currant Recurring role

Notes

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  1. ^ Kabongo was nominated in 2016 for his performance in Teenagers, in 2022 for his performance in the television film Death She Wrote, and in 2023 for his performance in Chateau Laurier.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Casemore, Jamie. "Playback's 10 to Watch 2024: Emmanuel Kabongo". Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Alumni Spotlight: Emmanuel Kabongo". Canadian Film Centre. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  3. ^ "Meet actor Emmanuel Kabongo, the unstoppable force of energy the Canadian film and TV scene needs". The Globe and Mail. April 6, 2022. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  4. ^ a b "'Sway' among Toronto Black Film Festival movies telling untold Canadian stories – Toronto | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  5. ^ a b Townsend, Kelly. "Canadian actor turns producer on Toronto-shot thriller". Retrieved August 16, 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g "Kabongo: Fired up by Nollywood spirit". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. January 26, 2020. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h "Setting the Tone with Actor and Entrepreneur Emmanuel Kabongo | Harry Rosen". www.harryrosen.com. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
  8. ^ a b c Schneller, Johanna (April 6, 2022). "Meet actor Emmanuel Kabongo, the unstoppable force of energy the Canadian film and TV scene needs". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  9. ^ a b c d "The many faces of Emmanuel Kabongo". Archived from the original on November 22, 2015. Retrieved November 22, 2015.
  10. ^ a b Barnard, Linda (June 5, 2014). "Toronto filmmaker Ingrid Veninger ups her game with The Animal Project, a heartfelt look at relationships". The Toronto Star. ISSN 0319-0781. Retrieved November 22, 2015.
  11. ^ Anthony (January 26, 2020). "Kabongo: Fired Up By Nollywood Spirit". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
  12. ^ "Emmanuel Kabongo". cfccreates.com. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
  13. ^ "Academy to recognize TV with Golden Screen Awards". PlayBack, February 4, 2015.
  14. ^ "Destination Femme Sits Down With Emmanuel Kabongo". Destination Femme. Retrieved November 22, 2015.
  15. ^ a b Chunovic, Louis (January 15, 2014). "New web series Teenagers attracts Degrassi alum". Playback. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  16. ^ "'teenagers' Enters its Final Season All Grown Up: an interview with creator M. H. Murray". Stareable Filmmaker Community. November 29, 2017. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
  17. ^ "Sex, drugs & violence: Toronto's provocative Web Series "Teenagers" returns for Season Two". Shedoesthecity. August 10, 2015. Retrieved November 22, 2015.
  18. ^ "Sex, drugs & violence: Toronto's provocative Web Series "Teenagers" returns for Season Two". www.shedoesthecity. August 10, 2015. Retrieved December 1, 2015.
  19. ^ "Teenagers – The Canadian Skins – The Daily Spectacle". www.dailyspectacle.co.uk. Archived from the original on November 4, 2016. Retrieved December 4, 2016.
  20. ^ "Binge-worthy Toronto web series". NOW Magazine. August 17, 2016. Retrieved August 21, 2016.
  21. ^ "2016 Canadian Screen Awards Nominations: 49 Projects from 63 CFC Alumni". cfccreates.com. Archived from the original on January 3, 2017. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
  22. ^ Garcia, Norma. "A Man's Story – bravoFACT – Drama Short Films | Watch Drama, Documentary Movies Online". Archived from the original on October 27, 2016. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
  23. ^ "Reelworld Film Festival". Reelworld Film Festival. Archived from the original on October 27, 2016. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
  24. ^ Barnes, Brooks (January 26, 2016). "'Antibirth,' Natasha Lyonne and Chloë Sevigny's Sundance Reunion". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  25. ^ Reid, Regan (September 26, 2016). "CBC commissions one-hour soccer drama". Retrieved October 27, 2016.
  26. ^ Reid, Regan (May 24, 2017). "Upfronts '17: CBC gets dramatic". Playback. Brunico Communications. Retrieved June 10, 2017.
  27. ^ "John Doyle: 21 Thunder is a fine drama containing soccer, sex and action". The Globe and Mail. July 27, 2017. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
  28. ^ "CBC's Frankie Drake Mysteries solves crimes in a post-Murdoch Mysteries Toronto". November 2, 2017.
  29. ^ "Brown Girl Begins rethinks Black History" Archived February 12, 2019, at the Wayback Machine. BeatRoute, February 10, 2018.
  30. ^ Snowden, Scott (November 27, 2020). "'Star Trek Discovery' season 3, episode 7 recap: The series' strong start feels like a different show entirely". Space.com. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
  31. ^ Ben Leeson, "Québexit, an ensemble comedy at intersection of language and culture, to premiere at Cinefest". Sudbury Star, September 21, 2020.
  32. ^ a b Furdyk, Brent (February 15, 2022). "2022 Canadian Screen Award Nominees Announced, 'Sort Of' & 'Scarborough' Lead The Pack". ET Canada. Archived from the original on February 15, 2022. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  33. ^ a b "Emmanuel Kabongo". Academy.ca. February 22, 2023. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
  34. ^ Papadatos, Markos (June 5, 2023). "Emmanuel Kabongo talks about starring in the series 'Chateau Laurier'". Digital Journal. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  35. ^ a b Joseph, Daphney (May 30, 2023). "Emmanuel Kabongo – An actor with faith and determination". SHIFTER Magazine. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  36. ^ Grobar, Matt (March 10, 2022). "Demetrius Grosse Boards Sony's George Foreman Biopic; Emmanuel Kabongo & Kevin Porter Join Christina Cooper's 'Rising 6'". Deadline. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  37. ^ a b Furdyk, Brent (March 22, 2023). "Simulant: Exclusive Look At New Canadian Sci-Fi Film Starring Simu Liu, Robbie Amell, Jordana Brewster & Sam Worthington". ET Canada. Archived from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  38. ^ "Simulant movie review & film summary (2023) | Roger Ebert". www.rogerebert.com. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  39. ^ "Mr. Will Wong, Toronto Entertainment Blogger". Mr. Will Wong, Toronto Entertainment Blogger. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  40. ^ Campbell, Janiece (June 12, 2023). "Actor and producer Emmanuel Kabongo on being an immigrant in Canada, his production company and his pop culture obsessions". Toronto Star. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  41. ^ Kroll, Dan J. (January 25, 2024). "Mishael Morgan's new film, a thriller titled Sway, to premiere in February". www.soapcentral.com. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  42. ^ "Feature Filmmaking Case Study: Sway » Whistler Film Festival". www.whistlerfilmfestival.com. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  43. ^ Papadatos, Markos (February 7, 2024). "Catching up with Emmanuel Kabongo: Canadian actor and producer". Digital Journal. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  44. ^ Reporter, Janiece Campbell Staff (June 12, 2023). "Actor and producer Emmanuel Kabongo on being an immigrant in Canada, his production company and his pop culture obsessions". Toronto Star. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  45. ^ Alex Nino Gheciu (February 13, 2024). "'Sway' among Toronto Black Film Festival movies telling untold Canadian stories". Toronto Star. The Canadian Press. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  46. ^ Dan J. Kroll, "Mishael Morgan's new film, a thriller titled Sway, to premiere in February". Soap Central, January 25, 2024.
  47. ^ Alex Nino Gheciu, "‘Sway’ among Toronto Black Film Festival movies telling untold Canadian stories". CityNews, February 13, 2024.
  48. ^ Janet Smith, "Hunting Matthew Nichols and Kryptic among B.C. contingent as Whistler Film Festival unveils Canadian entries". Stir, October 28, 2024.
  49. ^ a b "How his mother's love for '90s action films inspired Emmanuel Kabongo's own acting career". CBC Arts. August 28, 2017.
  50. ^ "Hartvibez Media (Radio): Society Today's Show: Is there systemic racism in Canada? on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
  51. ^ "LA Web Fest 2014 – Winning shows". April 16, 2014.
  52. ^ "7 reasons you should care about the Canadian Screen Awards this year". www.cbc.ca. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  53. ^ "Home". International Academy of Web Television. Archived from the original on January 30, 2010. Retrieved October 7, 2017.
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