Danai Gurira

Danai Gurira, born on February 14, 1978, is a Zimbabwean-American actress, playwright, and activist renowned for her powerful performances in both film and theater. She gained widespread recognition for her iconic roles as Michonne in the acclaimed AMC series The Walking Dead and as Okoye in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. With her films collectively grossing six point nine eight billion dollars, she stands as the seventh highest-grossing actress of all time.

In addition to her on-screen success, Gurira is a celebrated playwright. Her notable works include In the Continuum, which earned her an Obie Award, and The Convert, Familiar, and Eclipsed, the latter of which received six Tony Award nominations, including Best Play. Recently, she contributed to the screenwriting of an episode for the spin-off series The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live, which has garnered critical acclaim and earned her a nomination for the Black Reel TV Award for Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series.

Beyond her artistic endeavors, Gurira is a dedicated activist and has served as a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador since 2018. She has founded two non-profit organizations aimed at empowering communities. In recognition of her impactful work, she was honored with the TIME100 Impact Award in 2023. Furthermore, she is the founder of Gurazoo Productions, a production company that holds an overall television deal with ABC Studios.