Thandiwe Newton Biography: Melanie Thandiwe Newton OBE born November 6, 1972, previously credited as Thandie Newton is a British actress acclaimed for her work in film and television. She has earned numerous accolades, including a Primetime Emmy Award and a BAFTA Award, along with nominations for two Golden Globe Awards.
Thandiwe Newton Biography
Thandiwe Newton was born in London to Nyasha, a Zimbabwean health-care worker from the Shona tribe, and Nick Newton, a British lab technician. She spent part of her early childhood living in Zambia until political unrest forced her family to return to the UK. They settled in Cornwall, in southwest England, where she lived until she was 11.
Thandiwe Newton Biography 2025 Details
| Born |
Melanie Thandiwe Newton
6 November 1972 Westminster, London, England
|
|---|---|
| Other names | Thandie Newton |
| Education | Downing College, Cambridge (BA) |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1989–present |
| Spouse |
Ol Parker
(m. 1998; sep. 2022)
|
| Children | 3, including Nico and Ripley |
| Category | Singers Bio |
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About Thandiwe Newton
Melanie Thandiwe Newton OBE, formerly credited as Thandie Newton, is a British actress. She has received various awards, including a Primetime Emmy Award, and a BAFTA Award, as well as nominations for two Golden Globe Awards.
Thandie Newton Achievements
In 2019, she was honored as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her contributions to film and charity. Newton is well known for her diverse roles, such as the lead in Beloved (1998), Nyah Nordoff-Hall in Mission: Impossible 2 (2000), Tiffany in Shade (2003), Dame Vaako in The Chronicles of Riddick (2004), Christine in Crash (2004), Linda in The Pursuit of Happyness (2006), Libby in Run Fatboy Run (2007), Stella in RocknRolla (2008), Condoleezza Rice in W. (2008), Laura Wilson in 2012 (2009), Tangie Adrose in For Colored Girls (2010).
Thandiwe Newton Wiki
- Born: 6 November 1972 (age 52 years), Westminster, London, United Kingdom
- Spouse: Ol Parker (m. 1998–2022)
- Children: Nico Parker, Ripley Parker
- Parents: Nyasha Newton, Nick Newton
- Siblings: Jamie Newton
- Height: 1.6 m
Thandie Newton Personal Life
Thandiwe then enrolled at London’s Art Educational School to study modern dance, but a back injury ended her dancing career and prompted her to start auditioning for film roles. Her acting debut came with John Duigan’s Flirting (1991). Afterward, she moved to Los Angeles to further her acting career. However, her strong British accent limited her opportunities, leading her to return to the UK. There, she studied anthropology at Cambridge University. While attending school, she continued acting between semesters and gradually gained recognition, becoming sought after for upcoming film projects.
Early Life and Education
Melanie Thandiwe Newton was born in Westminster, London, on November 6, 1972, to a Zimbabwean mother and an English father. Her mother hailed from a Shona chieftaincy family, while her father worked as a laboratory technician and artist. Though her parents resided in Zambia, she was born in England during a visit to relatives. This has sometimes caused confusion, with some sources mistakenly listing her birthplace as Zambia; however, she has clarified in interviews that she was born in Westminster. Her middle name, “Thandiwe,” is of Nguni origin and means “beloved.”
At age three, Newton moved with her family back to England, settling in Penzance where her father helped manage the family’s antique business. She attended St Mary’s Roman Catholic Primary School and later described her childhood as feeling like an outsider, recalling, “From about the age of five, I was aware that I didn’t fit. I was the black atheist kid in the all-white Catholic school run by nuns.
Thandie Newton Facts
Where does Thandie Newton live? And how much money does Thandie Newton earn?
| Birth Date | 6-11-1972 |
| Heritage/origin | English |
| Ethnicity | African |
| Religion – believes in God? | Buddhism |
| Residence | She lives together in a house in Great Britain. |
Thandie Newton Net Worth 2025
| Estimated Net Worth | 14 million Pound |
| Yearly Salary | N/A |
| Colleagues | Evan Rachel Wood |
Thandie Newton: Husband, Dating, Family & Friends
Who is Thandie Newton dating in 2025?
| Relationship status | Married |
| Sexuality | Straight |
| Current Husband of Thandie Newton | Ol Parker |
| Ex-boyfriends or ex-husbands | |
| Expecting a baby? | She is not pregnant |
| Has any kids? | Yes, mother of: Ripley, Nico & Booker Jombe |
Family
Names of father, mother, kids, brothers & sisters:
- Ripley Parker (Son)
- Nico Parker (Son)
- Booker Jombe Parker (Son)
Height, Weight, Body Measurements, Tattoos, Skin, Hair & Eye Color
This cute actress originating from London, Great Britain has a slim body & oval face type.
| Hair color | Black |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Height | 167 cm |
| Weight | 52 kilo |
| Feet size | N/A |
| Does Thandie Newton smoke? | |
| Does Thandie Newton have a tattoo? | No |
FAQs
What show is Thandie Newton in?
After an already enviable career, British actress Thandie Newton found herself swept into a pop culture whirlwind with her role in the sci-fi hit “Westworld” (HBO, 2016-). A native of London, the actress is of royal blood, the daughter of a Zimbabwean princess.
Who is Thandie Newton in Mufasa?
Mads Mikkelsen as Kiros, the formidable leader of a pride of white lions known as the Outsiders, who seeks revenge on Mufasa for killing his son Shaju. Thandiwe Newton as Eshe, Taka’s mother, Mufasa’s adoptive mother, and Obasi’s mate.
Is Thandie Newton in Mission Impossible 3?
Thandie Newton did not appear in Mission: Impossible III or any subsequent films in the franchise after Mission: Impossible II. She played Nyah Nordoff-Hall in Mission: Impossible II, but did not return for the third installment, reportedly due to scheduling conflicts and a desire to focus on her family. While her character was not killed off, her absence from later movies was a result of her decision not to return.
What movie is Thandie Newton’s daughter in?
Nico Parker (born 9 December 2004) is a British actress. A daughter of actress Thandiwe Newton and filmmaker Ol Parker, she made her film debut with a leading role in the fantasy film Dumbo (2019). She played Sarah Miller in the first season of the HBO series The Last of Us (2023).