Sophie Okonedo

Biography: Born in London England, Sophie Okonedo was born to a Nigerian father and a English Jewish mother. She was raised by her mother after her parents divorced when she was five. When she was 18, she registered at the Royal Court Theatre for a writing class and became interested in acting. Okonedo obtained a scholarship to attend the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art where she graduated when she was 22. Sophie began appearing in various plays at the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Young Vic. She also had guest roles in TV series and movies. Sophie began to garner critical acclaim after the 1999 Trevor Nunn play Troilus and Cressida and the 2002 film Dirty Pretty Things. Ms. Okonedo is, as of 2006, on the Board of Directors of the Royal Court Theatre. She is engaged in board meetings, social events as well as fund raising and negotiating the direction of the Court. She is also active in the workshops there. Sophie has a daughter, Aoife, with former partner Irish film editor Eoin Martin. … Expand