Leroy Gopal - Biography, Education, Career, Marriage, and Filmography

Leroy Gopal is a 45-year-old Zimbabwean-born South African actor, comedian, TV personality, and voice artist. He is well-known for his roles in the films "Yellow Card" and "Strike Back." Gopal gained fame in Zimbabwe in 2000 for his performance in "Yellow Card." He moved to South Africa in 2006 and 2007, where he played Thabang Ngema in the SABC3 soapie "One Way." He owns Creation Station Entertainment Company, which trains and develops talent. To better integrate into the South African entertainment industry, he learned Tswana and Zulu.

Early Life

Leroy Gopal was born on July 6, 1979, in Zimbabwe. He moved to South Africa later in life. When he was 14 years old, his father passed away. He has an older sister, Claudia Gopal Muvuti, who was once the Iron Woman Zimbabwe. As a child, Leroy was a big fan of soccer.

Education

Leroy Gopal went to Blackiston Primary School. For secondary education, he attended Gateway High School and Prince Edward Senior School. He earned a BA Honors degree in Live Performance and Motion Picture from AFDA, The School for the Creative Economy. Leroy was one of only two AFDA students to win the prestigious M-NET Student of the Year award in both 2003 and 2004.

Personal Life

Leroy Gopal got married to a South African woman who goes by the name Keletso Molefe in 2017. They have three children: Kiki Leroy Gopal, Didi Tadiwa, and Mimi Naima.

Career

In 2000, Leroy Gopal made his film debut in "Yellow Card," playing the lead role of soccer player Tiyane Tsumba. From 2006 to 2007, he starred as Thabang Ngema on the SABC 3 soap opera "One Way," which gained significant popularity. In 2012, he appeared in the SABC 1 sitcom "Ses'Top La" as Oleshe, a role that won him the Best Actor in a Comedy award at the South African Film and Television Awards in 2013.

He continued his acting career with a role in the TV series "Mzansi Love: Kasi Style" in 2013, playing a Kenyan man named Joshua Pembe. That same year, he appeared in the short film "Through the Flight of a Feather," which was screened at the Cannes Film Festival. He also acted as a Congolese dictator named Tonga in the film "Seal Team 8."

Leroy gained further recognition for his role in the TV series "Abomama" on Mzansi Magic. In 2014, he appeared in the SABC1 political series "Ihawu le Sizwe." He founded the Creation Station Entertainment Company and directed a music video for Zimbabwean singer Audius Mtawarira.

Gopal starred in the film "All About Love," which explores the complicated love lives of five adults. Despite featuring well-known actors like Nomzamo Mbatha and Katlego Danke, some viewers felt the film did not successfully depict an African love story.

Filmography

Films

-- Through the Flight of a Feather

1996 - Adventure Unlimited

1998 - Choose Freedom

2000 - Yellow Card

2003 - Scarred Instinct

2004 - Four Days

2004 - Cut

2007 - Andre Metstrepie

2008 - Surprise!

2009 - Siren's Feast

2010 - Night Drive

2013 - The Lost Diaries of Livingstone

2014 - Seal Time Eight: Behind Enemy Lines

2014 - Kite

2015 Making A Killing

2016 The Crisis Caravan

2017 Harry's Game

2017 Revolt

2017 All About Love

2017 The Wall

2018 Ice

2018 Beautifully Broken

2019 Blackout

TV Series

-- Smart Rewards Ride Show

1986 - Paraffin

1993 - Generations

2005 - Binnelanders

2005 - Hush

2006 - Backstage

2006 - One Way

2007 - Home Affairs

2007 - Jacob's Cross

2010 - Hola Mpinji

2011 - Mzansi Love Home Affairs

2012 - Ses'Top La

2013 - Strike Back

2013 - Zabalaza

2013 - The Game Fact Show

2014 - Check-Coast

2014 Ihawu le Sizwe

2017 Happy Family

2017 It's OK We're Family

2018 Mzansi Love: Kasi Style

2018 Abomama

2019 #Karektas

2019 Jozi-H Red Cake - Not the Cooking Show