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Shonka Dukureh, 44, the actress who performed Large Mama Thornton in Baz Luhrmann‘s extremely acclaimed biopic Elvis, was discovered lifeless in her Nashville house on Thursday, July 21. Now, greater than a month after her surprising and tragic passing, Us Weekly studies that her official reason behind demise is “hypertensive and atherosclerotic heart problems.” The publication, which studies it obtained the coroner’s report, says that the way of demise was “pure,” echoing earlier claims made by the Metro Nashville PD.
“No foul play is clear in at this time’s demise of actress Shonka Dukureh, 44, who portrayed Large Mama Thornton on this yr’s Elvis film,” they tweeted. “Dukureh, a Fisk Univ graduate, was discovered lifeless within the bed room of her Kothe Means apt that she shared along with her two younger youngsters.” A reason behind demise continues to be pending. Right here’s what to know in regards to the gifted actress.
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Per The Tennessean, Shonka was discovered unresponsive on the ground by one in every of her two younger youngsters, who went to a neighbor to get assist. Little or no is understood about her youngsters, however she did take to Instagram on March 16 to share that she has a son who loves music. “We gone name dis one A Spring Break Unique ~ my infants favourite trip,” she captioned the video, which confirmed Shonka with a masked younger boy, who was jamming on a turntable.
“My first born totally enjoys frequenting Guitar Middle to discover all of the taking place devices and kit. He occurred upon a really cool turntable setup and let me vibe witem a sec. Grateful to Be His Mother.”
Shonka’s high-profile position as R&B singer and songwriter Willie Mae “Large Mama” Thornton would show to be her first and solely main performing position. Except for working with director Baz, she additionally appeared in her breakout position alongside Austin Butler, Tom Hanks, and Olivia DeJonge, amongst others.
“I used to be very conscious and wanting to actually be intentional about ensuring I used to be paying respect, respecting her, respecting her legacy, respecting her spirit, respecting all the pieces about what she dropped at music, and understanding that I’m capable of do it as a result of she’s completed it and laid that basis,” she mentioned of enjoying Large Mama Thornton, per The Tennessean.
The multitalented girl is also called a gospel singer. Nashville Mayor John Cooper lamented the lack of her immense skills in a tweet on Thursday. “Her highly effective voice and artistry will stay on by way of her music, and we honor her reminiscence on this unhappy day,” he wrote.
Shonka reportedly had an album within the works, in keeping with her official website. She was impressed by her position in Elvis, the location mentioned, and the album “is a tribute to the blues music style in celebration of these fierce unsung pioneering artists and musicians who paved the way in which for the rock’n roll music revolution.”
Performing the legendary music “Hound Canine,” Shonka’s highly effective voice might be heard on the Elvis movie soundtrack. Large Mama Thornton recorded the Jerry Leiber, and Mike Stoller hit again in 1952 — years earlier than Elvis would additional popularize it in 1956.
The Tennessean studies that Shonka was extremely educated, in addition to extremely completed. The actress reportedly obtained a bachelor’s diploma from Nashville’s Fisk College in theater. She moreover earned a grasp’s diploma in schooling from Trevecca Nazarene College.