Place of Birth :
London, England.
Break Out Role:
Tatiana in Terry George's "Hotel Rwanda."
Up Next:
Sophie Okonedo will star opposite Charlize Theron in "Aeon Flux."
On Receiving The Oscar nomination:
"At one stage in my career I didn’t even think I’d ever make a film, so to be nominated for an Oscar is overwhelming. I’m in a state of shock. I’ve spent 15 years plugging away and the last year has just been amazing."
Biography:
Actress Sophie Okonedo was born to an English mother and a Nigerian father. A bookworm as a girl, she got her start in the theater. The actress performed onstage with the Royal Shakespeare Company. In addition, she worked in British television for several years before making the transition into film.
Her role as a kind hearted prostitute in Stephen Frear's immigrant drama "Dirty Pretty Things" caught the attention of director Terry George. He cast Okenedo in "Hotel Rwanda" as Tatiana, the wife of hotel manager Paul Rusesabagina (Don Cheadle), whose decision to house refugees at his workplace saved more than 1,200 lives in 1994.
Okonedo's memorable performance achieved critical acclaim, including an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. She will next be seen in "Aeon Flux," an action film starring Charlize Theron.
