Shonka Dukureh, an actor who most recently appeared in Baz Luhrmann’s newest film Elvis as Big Mama Thornton, passed away at 44.
The 44-year-old woman lived in her apartment with her two young children and was a well-known singer in Nashville.
One of the kids discovered her unresponsive and went to a neighbor’s apartment, where they phoned the police.
Shonka Dukureh passes away at 44
The singer, 44, who played Big Mama Thornton in the most recent film by Baz Luhrmann, was discovered dead in her Nashville home.
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Shonka Dukureh, an actress and singer most recently appeared in Baz Luhrmann’s newest film Elvis as Big Mama Thornton, passed away at 44.
The Metro Nashville Police Department reported that Dukureh was discovered dead on Thursday in a bedroom at her Nashville home, which she shared with her two young children.
One of the kids discovered her unresponsiveness, who then walked to a neighbor’s apartment and dialed 911. No indication of wrongdoing, according to the police. The medical examiner’s autopsy results have not yet been released.
Following the movie’s premiere, Dukureh’s rendition of the Thornton song Hound Dog, recorded in 1952, four years before Presley, became popular online.
According to radio station WPLN-FM, the actor and singer, who performed alongside Doja Cat at Coachella this year, graduated from Trevecca Nazarene with a degree in education and Fisk University with a degree in theatre.
Internet floods with tributes
After hearing the news of her passing, the movie’s director, Baz Luhrmann, expressed gratitude for having known Dukureh.
While on the set of Elvis, Luhrmann published a series of photos in which he could be seen kissing Dukureh on the forehead.
A bright light went out today, and Shonka Dukureh’s passing has left the entire Elvis movie family inconsolable. Shonka infused our world with happiness, spirit, and her voice and singing from when she arrived. Everybody in the room always felt inspired whenever she was on the set, on stage, or even in the room.
“I got to see Shonka inspire huge groups of people at Coachella and beyond, as she was just starting to discover a broader following for her incredible skill. Shonka frequently used the phrase “blessings” as a favorite, and the entire Elvis cast, crew, and musical collaborators felt incredibly lucky to have known her.
Furthermore, the 59-year-old continued by saying that the Elvis cast and crew members were extending their “love and support” to her kids and family.
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