Arts & Entertainment
Santa Monica-Based Actor Odera Owiso Died After Collapsing During Rehearsal in Kentucky
The actor was best known for his role as Papa Tunde in the TV series "The Originals."
SANTA MONICA, CA -- Santa Monica-based actor Odera Owiso, best known for his role on CW's "The Originals" died while rehearsing for a play in Kentucky, according to media reports. He was 43.
The Kenyan-born actor died over the weekend, his brother Peter Oruka Odera confirmed to the Kenyan newspaper, The Standards. Owiso collapsed while on stage and efforts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful, his brother said.
The cause of death has not been determined.
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Owiso was best known for his role as Papa Tunde on the CW's "Vampire Diaries" spinoff, "The Originals." His television credits include "Madam Secretary," "Blue Blood" and "Minority Report."
News of his death hit his "Original" family hard. The cast and crew took to social media to pay their respects.
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The death of #OwisoOdera is a tragedy. I only spent one short ep with him but we in the OGs family have talked about Papa Tunde ever since.
— Joseph Morgan (@JosephMorgan) November 7, 2016
goodbye owiso. glorious, sweet and criminally elegant. so grateful to have shared even a second near that sacred & indelible talent.
— DANIEL GILLIES (@danieljgillies) November 5, 2016
Oh no! Owiso Odera was a regal, commanding presence and true gentleman. Etched in our canon. https://t.co/Nqv1QRYupg
— Diane Ademu-John (@junkyardmessiah) November 5, 2016
Owiso is survived by his wife, Nicole and siblings, Roney, Sheilla, Sharon, Milly and Peter.
-- Photo courtesy of the CW.
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