Zakes Mokae

Zakes Makgona Mokae (5 August 1934 – 11 September 2009) was a renowned South African stage and screen actor whose career spanned over four decades, from his first credited role in 1957 until his final television appearance in 2002. Born in Johannesburg, he initially pursued music as a jazz saxophonist in Trevor Huddleston’s band before turning to acting at the same time the playwright Athol Fugard was emerging on the South African theatre scene. The two forged a powerful artistic partnership, starring together in Fugard’s seminal two‑hander The Blood Knot in 1961, where Mokae portrayed Zach, the darker‑skinned brother, a role that highlighted his deep emotional range and commitment to confronting apartheid‑era tensions onstage. Their collaboration reached an international peak with Master Harold…and the Boys, a play that earned Mokae the 1982 Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play, cementing his reputation on Broadway and later in the 1985 televised adaptation alongside Matthew Broderick.

Beyond the stage, Mokae built a diverse filmography that balanced politically charged anti‑apartheid projects such as Cry Freedom (1987) and A Dry White Season (1989) with cult horror titles directed by Wes Craven, including The Serpent and the Rainbow (1988) and Vampire in Brooklyn (1995). His television work encompassed guest spots on iconic series like The West Wing, The X‑Files, Oz and Monk, demonstrating his versatility across genres and formats. After relocating to the United Kingdom in 1961 and the United States in 1969, Mokae also contributed as a theatre director for American companies such as the Nevada Shakespeare Company. He fathered one child, Santlo Chontay Mokae, in 1975, and remained active in the performing arts until his later years. Mokae passed away in Las Vegas on 11 September 2009 due to complications from a stroke, leaving a legacy of powerful performances that continue to inspire actors and audiences worldwide.