Tongayi Chirisa Biography| Background, Acting Career, Filmography, Awards, Music Career, Marital Status
Tongayi Arnold Chirisa is a multi-talented Zimbabwean actor, singer, and producer who has made a significant impact in the world of entertainment. Chirisa who is now based in Hollywood, developed a passion for the arts at a young age and has since become a prominent figure in both local and international film, television, and music.
Chirisa’s acting journey began in Zimbabwe, where he honed his skills through stage performances and local productions. His undeniable talent and charismatic presence soon caught the attention of industry professionals, propelling him towards international opportunities.
Background
Tongayi Chirisa was born on August 8, 1981. He pursued his education at Lomagundi College before later relocating to South Africa. During his time in South Africa, Chirisa enrolled in The South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance (AFDA), where he pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree. While he has achieved recognition for his professional accomplishments, Tongayi Chirisa tends to keep his personal life private, resulting in limited information available about his parents, family, and personal details. As of 2023, Tongayi Chirisa is 42 years old.
Tongayi Chirisa Acting Career (Image Credit: Instagram @tongayichirisa)
Acting Career
Tongayi Chirisa’s acting career has been marked by determination, versatility, and a relentless pursuit of success. Despite initially considering a path in the hospitality sector, Chirisa followed his passion for acting and fearlessly embarked on a journey to make his mark in the industry.
He made a transition to theatre, showcasing his talent in notable productions such as “Crossroads,” “Upside Down,” “The Island,” “Harry,” and “The Brother from the Older Mother.”
Tongayi Chirisa’s breakthrough came in the form of his role as Detective Trevor Davies in the popular Zimbabwean television series “Studio 263“ from 2003 to 2005. This paved the way for his film debut in 2003 with “Blood Covenant,” followed by notable appearances in films like “Cousin Brother” and “Evil in Our Midst.”
In 2004, Chirisa’s exceptional performance in the film “Tanyaradzwa” earned him the prestigious Best Actor for Film and Television Award.
Seeking new opportunities, Tongayi Chirisa decided to relocate to South Africa in 2006, propelled by a scholarship that allowed him to further his studies in acting. During his time in South Africa, he worked on various film projects, including “Diamonds,” “Skin,” “Robinson,” and “Mrs Mandela.”
Chirisa gained widespread recognition in 2008 when he starred as Hekule, The King of Kuvikiland, in Leon Schuster’s film “Mr Bones 2: Back from The Past.” In an interview, he revealed that he nearly lost the role due to concerns about his physical appearance. However, he dedicated himself to transforming his physique and ultimately secured the part, cementing his success in the film.
In 2009, Chirisa took a bold step and ventured to Hollywood, where he currently resides. His talent caught the attention of international audiences, leading to notable appearances in popular productions such as “NCIS: Los Angeles” and the NBC International television series “Crusoe.” He also starred in commercials, further expanding his presence in the industry.
In 2015, Chirisa added another accomplishment to his repertoire by landing a role in the American comedy series “The Jim Gaffigan Show,” which premiered on Comedy Central. Most recently, in 2023, Chirisa showcased his versatility once again by starring in the highly anticipated film “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts,” lending his voice to the character Cheetor.
Tongayi Chirisa (Image Credit: Instagram@tongayichirisa)
Tongayi Chirisa’s career trajectory exemplifies his unwavering dedication and determination to excel as an actor. From his early theatre days in Zimbabwe to his current presence in Hollywood, he continues to captivate audiences with his talent, versatility, and commitment to his craft.
Filmography
Movies
2005: Tanyaradzwa
2008: Ace of Hearts as Tebsane Masa
2008: Zimbabwe as Charles
2008: Skin as Township Priest
2008: Mr. Bones 2: Back from the Past as Hekule
2009: Gargoyle as Themba
2011: Geezas as Sammy the Mouth
2013: Stand By as Dee
2014: Whipping Boy as Olly ‘Napalm’ Harris
2016: Happiness Is a Four-letter Word as Thomas
2017: The Zim as William Zimunya
2020: Palm Springs as Jerry
2020: Antebellum as Eli Stokes/Professor
2022: Next Exit as Father Jack
2023: Transformers: Rise of the Beasts
as Cheetor (voice)
TV Shows
2003–2005: Studio 263 as Detective Trevor Davies
2008–2009: Crusoe as Friday
2009: Diamonds as Oba Sewele
2010: Mrs Mandela as Arguing husband
2010: Barack Obama’s Cousin as Barack Obama’s Cousin
2011: NCIS: Los Angeles as Interrogator
2012: American Horror Story: Asylum as Miles
2012: H+: The Digital Series as African Soldier
2013: Sleepy Hollow as Arthur Bernard
2013: Gaffigan as Father Nicholas Ngungumbane
2015: Whitney as Gary Houston
2015–2016: The Jim Gaffigan Show as Father Nicholas
2016: Mars Project as Neil Cormack
2017–2019: iZombie as Justin Bell
2018: Hawaii Five-0 as Don
2018: The Guest Book as Kwame
2020: The Good Doctor as Kerryś Husband
2021: Another Life Richard Ncube Recurring role
2022: Women of the Movement Medgar Evers
2023: Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches
(8 episodes) as Ciprien Grieve
Awards
- National Merit Awards: The best actor at the Film and Television Awards (2004)
- Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards: Nominee Actor in a Drama category (2017)
Music Career
Tongayi Chirisa, known for his accomplished acting career, also shines as a talented singer.
On September 22, 2017, Tongayi Chirisa unveiled the music video for his song “Usacheme.” The title of the song originates from the Shona language, where it translates to “don’t cry” in English.
Renowned Zimbabwean director Joe Njagu had the honour of directing the captivating music video, adding his unique touch to the visual storytelling. Additionally, the talented Tamy contributed her beautiful vocals to the song, creating a memorable collaboration.
The release of the “Usacheme” music video showcased Chirisa’s artistic versatility and further solidified his presence in the music industry.
Love Life/Marital Status
Tongayi Chirisa’s relationship/marital status remains unknown, as he maintains a private personal life and does not publicly disclose details about his love life.
There have been rumors of a possible romantic involvement with pop artist and actress Ericka Guitron, but neither Tongayi nor Ericka have confirmed these speculations in the media.
In 2018, Tongayi posted a picture of them together on his Instagram account, captioned as ‘Spending time with bae before she’s gone till November,’ although it is unclear if they are still together or if they were ever in a romantic relationship.
