Danai Gurira is a Zimbabwean-American actress and playwright who has gained fame and recognition for her roles as Michonne in the AMC horror drama series The Walking Dead and as Okoye in the Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero films, including Black Panther and Avengers. She is also an award-winning playwright whose works include In the Continuum, Eclipsed, and The Convert.
Who Is Danai Gurira?
Danai Gurira was born on February 14, 1978, in Grinnell, Iowa, to Josephine and Roger Gurira, who were from Zimbabwe. Her father was a tenured professor in the Department of Chemistry at Grinnell College, and her mother was a college librarian. She is the youngest of four siblings: Shingai and Choni are her sisters, and Tare is her brother. Gurira lived in Grinnell until December 1983, when, at age five, she and her family moved back to Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, after Robert Mugabe rose to power.
She attended high school at Dominican Convent High School. Afterward, she returned to the United States to study at Macalester College in Saint Paul, Minnesota, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology. She also earned a Master of Fine Arts in acting from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.
Danai Gurira Profile Summary
| Name | Danai Jekesai Gurira |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | February 14, 1978 |
| Place of Birth | Grinnell, Iowa, U.S. |
| Citizenship | Zimbabwean-American |
| Education | Macalester College (B.A.), New York University (MFA) |
| Occupations | Actress, playwright |
| Years Active | 2004–present |
How Old is Danai Gurira in 2024?
Danai Gurira will be 46 years old in 2024. She was born on February 14, 1978, so she will celebrate her 46th birthday on February 14, 2024.
Danai Gurira Family Status
Danai Gurira is very close to her family, especially her parents, who have supported her throughout her career. She often shares photos and videos of them on her social media accounts. Her parents are both from Zimbabwe and moved to the United States in 1964. They later joined the staff of the University of Wisconsin–Platteville. Her father, Roger Gurira, passed away in 2016, and her mother, Josephine Gurira, is still alive. Gurira has three older siblings: two sisters, Shingai and Choni, and a brother, Tare. Shingai is a singer and songwriter, Choni is a journalist and filmmaker, and Tare is a chiropractor.
Danai Gurira Relationship Status
Danai Gurira is very private about her personal life and does not reveal much about her relationship status. She has never been married, and she does not have any children. She has been linked to some of her co-stars in the past, such as Norman Reedus and Andrew Lincoln from The Walking Dead and Chadwick Boseman from Black Panther, but none of these rumors have been confirmed. Gurira has said that she is focused on her career and activism and does not have time for dating. She has also said she is looking for someone who shares her values and respects her culture.
Danai Gurira Biography & Career
Danai Gurira began her career as a playwright and an actress in theater. She co-wrote and co-starred in In the Continuum, a play about two women living with HIV, one in Zimbabwe and one in Los Angeles, which premiered Off-Broadway in 2005. The play won her an Obie Award, an Outer Critics Circle Award, and a Helen Hayes Award for Best Lead Actress. She also wrote Eclipsed, a play about five women during the Liberian Civil War, which premiered Off-Broadway in 2009 and moved to Broadway in 2016.
The play earned her a Tony Award nomination for Best Play and made history as the first play with an all-black and female creative team and cast on Broadway. She also wrote The Convert, a play about a young woman in colonial Zimbabwe who converts to Christianity, which premiered Off-Broadway in 2012 and was staged in London and Los Angeles.
Gurira made her film debut in 2007, playing Zainab, a Senegalese immigrant, in The Visitor, a drama film that received critical acclaim and several award nominations. She also appeared in films such as Ghost Town, 3 Backyards, Restless City, Mother of George, and All Eyez on Me. However, her breakthrough role came in 2012, when she was cast as Michonne, a katana-wielding zombie slayer, in the AMC horror drama series The Walking Dead, based on the comic book series of the same name.
She became a fan favorite and a prominent cast member, appearing in the show’s eight seasons from 2012 to 2020. She also reprised her role in the spin-off series The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live, which aired in 2024. She received several awards and nominations for her performance, including a Saturn Award, a Black Reel Award, and a NAACP Image Award.
Gurira also achieved international fame and recognition for her role as Okoye, the leader of the Dora Milaje, an elite group of female warriors who protect the king of Wakanda, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero films. She first appeared as Okoye in Black Panther, released in 2018, and became a cultural phenomenon and a box-office success. She reprised her role in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, also released in 2018 and 2019, respectively, and became the highest-grossing film ever. She also voiced Okoye in the animated series What If…? which aired in 2021.
She will return as Okoye in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, scheduled to be released in 2022, and in the Disney+ series Eyes of Wakanda, which is in production. She has won several awards and nominations for her role, including a People’s Choice Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a BET Award.
Besides acting and writing, Gurira is also an activist and a philanthropist. She is a co-founder of Almasi Arts, an organization that supports and facilitates the development of dramatic arts in Zimbabwe. She is also a U.N. Women Goodwill Ambassador, an advocate for women’s rights, and a supporter of various causes, such as education, health, and social justice. She has been named one of the world’s most influential people by Time magazine and one of the most powerful women in entertainment by The Hollywood Reporter.
Danai Gurira Height, Weight, and Body Stats
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) |
|---|---|
| Weight | 132 lbs (60 kg) |
| Body Measurements | 35-25-36 in (89-64-91 cm) |
| Bra Size | 34A |
| Shoe Size | 9 (U.S.) |
| Dress Size | 4 (U.S.) |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
How Much Will The Net Worth Of Danai Gurira Be In 2024?
Danai Gurira has an estimated net worth of $4 million as of 2021, according to Celebrity Net Worth. She has earned her wealth from her successful career as an actress and a playwright and her endorsements and sponsorships. She reportedly earned $500,000 per episode for The Walking Dead and $1 million for Black Panther. She also has deals with brands such as Reebok, Nissan, and Clinique. Her net worth is expected to increase as she continues to work on more projects, both on-screen and off-screen. By 2024, her net worth could be around $6 million, assuming a 10% annual growth rate.
Conclusion
Danai Gurira is a talented and versatile artist who has made a name for herself in the entertainment industry. She is also a passionate and inspiring activist who uses her platform to raise awareness and support various causes. She is a role model and a trailblazer for many people, especially women and people of color. She has achieved a lot in her career and has much more to offer in the future.
FAQs
Q: What is Danai Gurira’s nationality?
A: Danai Gurira has dual citizenship in Zimbabwe and the United States. She was born in Iowa but grew up in Zimbabwe and identified with both cultures.
Q: What languages does Danai Gurira speak?
A: Danai Gurira speaks English, Shona, and French fluently. She also learned some Xhosa and Zulu for her role as Okoye in Black Panther.
Q: Is Danai Gurira married or dating anyone?
A: Danai Gurira is not married, and she does not have a boyfriend. She is very private about her personal life and has said that she is focused on her career and activism.