I want to be the Samuel L. Jackson of Kenya

Blessing Lung’aho was born in Uasin Gishu County and attended Kakamega High School before joining Catholic University of Eastern Africa. He has appeared on a few local and international TV commercials. He has also starred in several television shows in Kenya like Mother in Law, PREM among others.

You are all over, what is happening?

Not yet, not yet, I want to be the Samuel Jackson of Kenya. It is not as easy as it looks but I’m trying.

When did the love of acting start and why?

I started acting exactly four years ago. I used to be an accountant at an accounting firm, I am not lying and four years later here I am.

Why did you change careers?

Normally when I tell people the truth, they think I’m lying. But the truth is, I met a guy called Guta on the streets, and he walked towards me and told me that he was casting for a commercial and he thought I would be perfect for the role. (Refused to say which commercial was). At first I thought this guy was one of the many con men on our streets so I brushed him off but he insisted. So he gave me his business card, asked me to think about it and give him a call by close of business that day. I shared the encounter with my friends and colleagues at work, one of them told me he knew who he was and I should call him back. So I decided to call him and he invited me for an audition and I got the role.

Did the pay check entice you? Oh yes, it did. The first pay check was more than I was making. I thought now all the beautiful girls who ignored me would finally notice me. After I got in, it stopped being about the rewards but passion. Now it’s more about work than reward.

You quit your work after the first commercial?

No, I went for a few more auditions and I landed two more commercials. I then wrote my boss a ‘love letter’ and told him thank you, unipate kwa TV (Find me on TV). Boy, was I wrong, I went dry for a year. I did more than 60 auditions and I got nothing. My dad, who was supporting me was also concerned.

Then what happened?

I had a coming to Jesus moment, I don’t know how to put it. There was this week when I went to audition for five roles; Three commercials and two TV shows, and I was sure I would get picked. During my dry season, I bought books and got myself an acting coach who taught me a lot. I remember calling my dad to tell him the good news about my auditions... I remember it was on a Thursday. Come Friday no calls from the casting guys. Saturday nothing. I had called my dad to tell him how confident I was and he promised to call me back. He didn’t. Three days later, an aunt calls me and tells me that he had a road accident and he did not make it.

Literally a few minutes later, my phone rings and it was a casting director asking for my measurements, I had been picked for the role! By the end of the day, I got all the five roles and I’ve never looked back. I can say that is when my career really began. Worst possible day ever, I think my dad got up there and told God to help me out.

What has changed in your life?

I can say I have been extremely blessed, I have had the opportunity to do international films and TV commercials. Met big time Hollywood actors. People I had only seen on television and movies and they were right next to me on set. That has shown me that anything is possible.

What have you done internationally?

I have just wrapped up my first major international movie which was shot in Italy. At the moment there is an embargo so I can’t talk about it. The working title is Dominos. I have also done an ad in Malaysia.