Thandiwe Newton

BAFTA Award-winning THANDIE NEWTON is not only one of the world's great beauties, but an actress of uncommon talent and range.

Thandie was seen making her stage debut in London's West End starring in "Death and the Maiden" by Ariel Dorfman. On screen she was seen in Retreat," an independent psychological thriller opposite Cillian Murphy and Jamie Bell, directed by Carl Tibbetts. The film is about a couple secluded on a remote Scottish island, their lives shattered by the arrival of a wounded marine warning them of a global pandemic.

In 2010, Thandie starred in "For Colored Girls," opposite Whoopi Goldberg and Janet Jackson. Prior to that, she starred in Roland Emmerich's "2012" for Columbia with John Cusack, which revolves around an academic researcher who battles to prevent an apocalypse predicted by the ancient Mayans.

Thandie was praised for her work in the Academy Award®-winning Best Picture of 2006: "Crash," the story of a multiracial group of characters whose lives interconnect following a car accident in Los Angeles. For her performance, Thandie received BAFTA (Outstanding Supporting Actress) and SAG (Best Ensemble) Awards.

Thandie also starred in "RocknRolla," written and directed by Guy Ritchie, opposite Gerard Butler and Olive Stone's film "W." as Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice opposite Josh Brolin.

Other films have included "Vanishing on 7 th Street" directed by Brad Anderson; David Schwimmer's comedy "Run Fat Boy Run," opposite Hank Azaria and Simon Pegg; Gabriele Muccino's critically acclaimed box office hit "The Pursuit of Happyness," opposite Will Smith; Jonathan Demme's contemporary romantic thriller "The Truth About Charlie," inspired by Stanley Donen's 1963 film "Charade;" and the John Woo-helmed action film "Mission Impossible 2." She received rave reviews for her astonishingly original and bold performance as the title character in Jonathan Demme's 1998 adaptation of Toni Morrison's novel, "Beloved," co-starring Oprah Winfrey.

Thandie is actively involved in the V-Day foundation. In 2011 she attended the opening of the City of Joy in Bukavu, DRC. It houses and supports women survivors of sexual violence and provides them with opportunities to develop their leadership skills through innovative programming.

Thandie also spoke at the prestigious Ted Global Conference in 2011.

© 2012 Lionsgate