Dieudonné Kabongo (1950 – October 11, 2011) was a Congolese-born Belgian comedian, humorist, musician, and actor. Kabongo co-starred in the 2000 film, Lumumba, portraying Godefroid Munongo.[1] He was the first comedian of African descent to achieve widespread popularity in Belgium.[2][3]

Biography

Kabongo was born in 1950 in Katanga, Belgian Congo, which is now the Democratic Republic of Congo.[1] He immigrated to Belgium in 1970.[2] He originally studied electromechanical engineering in Virton, Belgium, before embarking on a self-apprenticeship in theater and writing.[3]

In 1984, Kabongo and fellow actor Mirko Popovitch jointly won the First Prize at the Festival International du Rire de Rochefort.[1][2] His film credits included Identity Pieces in 1998, the 2000 film Lumumba, directed by Raoul Peck, and the 2005 film, Le Couperet, directed by Costa-Gavras.[1][2] He was awarded the lifetime achievement award by the Africa Filmfestival in 2010.[2] For his role in The Invader, he received a Magritte Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

Kabongo collapsed and died during a performance on stage at a cultural center in Jette, a district of Brussels, on October 11, 2011, at the age of 61.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Belgium: Congolese actor Dieudonnné Kabongo dies on stage". PanaPress. Afrique en ligne. October 13, 2011. Archived from the original on June 14, 2012. Retrieved 2011-10-26.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Dieudonné Kabongo, A Great Actor Died on Stage". Afrika Filmfestival. October 13, 2011. Archived from the original on December 3, 2011. Retrieved 2011-10-26.
  3. 1 2 Goutier, Hegel (December 2007). "A day in the life of Dieudonné Kabongo". The Courier (ACP-EU). Archived from the original on December 18, 2011. Retrieved 2011-10-26.
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