Thandiwe Newton

Thandiwe Newton
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Thandiwe Newton photo 1 Thandiwe Newton photo 2 Thandiwe Newton photo 3 Thandiwe Newton photo 4
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Name:
Thandiwe Newton
Real name:
Melanie Thandiwe Newton
Who is:
Birth date:
(52 y.o.)
Place of birth:
London
Height:
5'3 ft ()
Weight:
112 lb (51 kg)
Relationship:
single
Birth Sign:
(characteristic)
Chinese zodiac:
Links:

Photos: Thandiwe Newton

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Biography of Thandiwe Newton

Thandiwe Newton (born Melanie Thandiwe Newton) is a Hollywood actress from London. Among her most distinguished works are the television series "Westworld," and films such as "RocknRolla," "The Pursuit of Happyness," and "The Chronicles of Riddick." Newton has earned numerous accolades, including BAFTA, Black Reel, Critics' Choice, Empire, Satellite, Gold Derby TV Awards, IGN Awards, Television Critics Association Awards, plus nominations for Golden Globe, Emmy, and Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Thandiwe Newton
Thandiwe Newton

Early Life

The future actress was born on November 6, 1972, in Westminster, while her parents were on vacation. Her mother, Nyasha, a princess of the Shona tribe from Zimbabwe, worked in healthcare. Her father, Nick Newton, an Englishman and performer, worked as a laboratory technician. The couple first met while working in Zambia.
Thandiwe Newton as a child (with her mother and brother)
Thandiwe Newton as a child (with her mother and brother)
After their daughter was born, whose name in Shona means "beloved," the family settled in Zimbabwe until political turmoil forced them to relocate to the United Kingdom. Until age 11, the young girl lived in Penzance, located in southwestern Cornwall, and was the only person of color at her Catholic school.
Thandiwe Newton during her school years
Thandiwe Newton during her school years
She then studied contemporary dance at the Tring Park School for the Performing Arts, located near London. However, a back injury forced her to give up her beloved pursuit. Then, Thandiwe decided to become an actress and started auditioning for roles.

In 1988, the 16-year-old met and began dating Australian film director and screenwriter John Duigan, who was 23 years her senior.

Acting Career

Two years after their passionate affair began, John Duigan cast her in his film "Flirting," a sequel to "The Year My Voice Broke," launching his protégé into a successful and illustrious career. One of the pivotal roles in this film was also awarded to Nicole Kidman, who would later become an Academy Award-winning actress.
Thandiwe Newton and Nicole Kidman in Flirting
Thandiwe Newton and Nicole Kidman in Flirting
In the film credits, the actress's name, Thandiwe, was mistakenly spelled as Thandi. It was under this name that audiences remembered her. Since it was more familiar to English-speaking viewers, the actress didn't object. Thirty years later, in 2021, she insisted on being called by her real name going forward.
Video View Flirting, Thandie Newton Interview
After the release of "Flirting" in 1991, Newton ventured to Los Angeles to hone her craft. However, her distinct British accent severely limited her acting opportunities, so she returned to England.

Between 1992 and 1995, she studied anthropology at Downing College, University of Cambridge, earning her Bachelor's degree while continuing to pursue acting. The British crime drama "Young Americans" starring her was released in 1993.
1995 Interview with Actress Thandie Newton, 1990s
A year later, she appeared in Irish director Neil Jordan's "Interview with the Vampire," sharing the screen with superstars Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, and Christian Slater.
Thandiwe Newton in Interview with the Vampire
Thandiwe Newton in Interview with the Vampire
In 1995, Newton appeared in the historical film "Jefferson in Paris," which competed at the Cannes Film Festival. She played Sally, a slave and governess to the third US president's daughter (Nick Nolte), who becomes one of his romantic interests after his wife's (Gwyneth Paltrow) death.
On the set of Jefferson in Paris
On the set of Jefferson in Paris
This film brought the rising actress recognition, boosting demand for her professionally. That same year, her drama "The Journey of August King" premiered at the Toronto Film Festival, and in 1996, she took a key role in the British romantic drama "The Leading Man."
A still from The Journey of August King
A still from The Journey of August King
In 1998, the American box-office hit was "Beloved," a film adaptation of Toni Morrison's eponymous novel. In the story, former slave Sethe (Oprah Winfrey) is haunted by the spirit of her daughter, whom she killed in desperation to save her from slavery. Thandiwe played Beloved, a mentally troubled woman whose body becomes possessed by the spirit of Oprah's character's dead daughter.
Thandie Newton about the role in Beloved
Next, fans saw the actress in the action-packed "Mission: Impossible 2." She starred alongside Tom Cruise and Ving Rhames. For her role as the female lead Nyah, she received an Empire Award nomination and was also nominated for a Golden Raspberry Award.
Thandiwe Newton and Tom Cruise
Thandiwe Newton and Tom Cruise
From 2003 to 2009, she joined the cast of hit TV series "ER," playing Dr. Carter's wife opposite Noah Wyle.

In 2004, two films featuring Thandiwe were released: David Twohy's sci-fi action film "The Chronicles of Riddick" with Vin Diesel and Paul Haggis's Oscar-winning drama "Crash" with Don Cheadle, Sandra Bullock, and Matt Dillon. The film earned Newton BAFTA, Empire Awards, and Black Reel Award nominations, among others. She portrayed a wealthy black woman targeted by a racist police officer.
Thandiwe Newton in The Chronicles of Riddick
Thandiwe Newton in The Chronicles of Riddick
In 2007, the actress's filmography expanded with comedies "Norbit" starring Eddie Murphy and "Run Fatboy Run" featuring Simon Pegg.

In 2009's Oliver Stone biopic "W.," she delivered one of her most powerful performances, transforming into Condoleezza Rice, the first African American and second woman (after Madeleine Albright) to serve as U.S. Secretary of State.
Thandiwe Newton as Condoleezza Rice
Thandiwe Newton as Condoleezza Rice
That same year, she appeared in one of the year's biggest blockbusters, "2012," based on Mayan apocalypse predictions. The disaster epic follows novelist Jackson (John Cusack) as he desperately tries to save his family during a global catastrophe. Newton played Laura, the President's daughter (Danny Glover), who refuses to abandon the White House and perishes alongside the others.
A still from 2012
A still from 2012
In 2010, she took on a key role in horror film "Vanishing on 7th Street" alongside Hayden Christensen and John Leguizamo, while also starring in the drama "For Colored Girls" with Whoopi Goldberg and Janet Jackson.

In 2016, HBO launched the sci-fi series "Westworld," which critics and publications would later hail as the year's best show. Set in a futuristic theme park populated by intelligent androids, guests can do anything to the robots—including rape and murder—since the androids' memories get wiped daily. Newton scored one of the show's central roles as android Maeve Millay, madam of the saloon-brothel "Mariposa Saloon."
Westworld | The Best of Maeve Millay
In 2017, Newton's powerhouse performance as Maeve earned her Golden Globe, Emmy, Saturn, and Screen Actors Guild nominations, though she didn't take home any wins. In 2019, the series brought her another Golden Globe nomination.
Westworld: Thandiwe Newton as Maeve Millay
Westworld: Thandiwe Newton as Maeve Millay
Remarkably, just before landing "Westworld," she'd actually considered retiring from acting to focus on directing and raising her children. She'd also grown tired of being asked to compromise her principles for roles—something she simply couldn't accept.

In 2017, she played Detective Chief Inspector Roz Huntley across four episodes of the hit BBC police series "Line of Duty," which follows detectives tackling complex crimes.

2018 brought the crime action-comedy "Gringo," which centers on a scheming pharmaceutical executive (Charlize Theron) who teams up with her partner (Joel Edgerton) to manufacture marijuana pills. Newton plays Bonnie, wife of company employee Harold (David Oyelowo), who gets sent to Mexico for raw materials only to find himself hunted by federal agents, drug dealers, and assassins.

She also joined the star-studded cast of drama "The Death and Life of John F. Donovan," alongside Natalie Portman, Bella Thorne, Kit Harington, and Susan Sarandon. That May, the 71st Cannes Film Festival premiered "Solo: A Star Wars Story," the latest chapter in the space saga, with Newton playing the role of Val.
Thandiwe Newton in Solo: A Star Wars Story
Thandiwe Newton in Solo: A Star Wars Story

Personal Life of Thandiwe Newton

From 1988 to 1994, Thandie was romantically involved with Australian film director John Duigan, who gave the actress her big break in Hollywood.

Thandie Newton found her perfect match in British director, screenwriter, and producer Ol Parker. The couple married in 1998.
Thandiwe Newton and Ol Parker
Thandiwe Newton and Ol Parker
They have three children: daughters Ripley, born in 2000, and Nico, born in 2004, and son Booker Jombe, born in 2014. The Hollywood star champions home births – all three of her children were born at home.
Thandiwe Newton with her husband and kids
Thandiwe Newton with her husband and kids
They named their eldest daughter after Ellen Ripley, Sigourney Weaver's character in the blockbuster "Alien," while their younger daughter gets her name from the iconic singer-songwriter in 1970s rock band The Velvet Underground.
Thandiwe Newton with her son
Thandiwe Newton with her son
In April 2022, news broke that Thandie was divorcing her husband. Neither has publicly shared what led to their split.
Thandiwe Newton Gets Candid About Motherhood and Mistakes
Thandie Newton is not only a talented actress but also a social activist. She swapped her BMW X5 for an eco-friendly Toyota Prius and encouraged her friends to do the same. In 2013, she joined a London dance flash mob for "One Billion Rising," a campaign fighting violence against girls and women.
Woody Harrelson turned 'Solo' co-star Thandie Newton vegan
Thandie is a vegetarian and was named "Sexiest Vegan of 2014" by the British organization PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals).

Thanks to their striking resemblance, she's often confused with actress Zoe Saldana from "Guardians of the Galaxy" and "Avatar." While they share many similarities, movie fans agree that each actress brings her own unique beauty to the screen.
Thandie Newton and Zoe Saldana look so much alike
Thandie Newton and Zoe Saldana look so much alike

Thandie Newton Now

In recent years, Thandie Newton has become more selective about her roles, appearing on screen less frequently. In 2021, she appeared in the thriller "Reminiscence" with Hugh Jackman. 2022 saw the release of two feature films starring Newton in leading roles.

First up is the thriller "God's Country," where Thandie plays Sandra, an intelligent woman forced to face off against her complete opposites – hardened brutes who solve problems with violence.
Thandie Newton in God's Country
Thandie Newton in God's Country
The second is detective thriller "All the Old Knives," where she stars as a former CIA operative opposite Chris Pine.