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Funeral Celebrant Los Angeles
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Contributed by: Pam Vetter A great actor with a rich history has passed away. |
 Johnny Sekka is remembered as a great actor. Provided by: The Secka Family His friend since the 1950's, actor Sidney Poitier, remembered Sekka as a special actor and good friend. "Johnny's greatest gift was his creative imagination on and off the stage," Poitier said. "I will miss the camaraderie we shared. We had tons of conversations on acting, writing, Africa, Europe, and politics. Over the years, we had big discussions." Poitier reminded others of Sekka's journey from a difficult childhood to the stage and his part in history. "Johnny had an amazing life story," Poitier said. Sekka was born in Dakar, Senegal, on July 21, 1934. He had one brother and three sisters. He came from a poor family and his father died unexpectedly when he was very young. After his father's death, Sekka and one of his sisters were sent to live with an aunt in Gambia, Africa. Life was difficult, but he and his sister had a very close relationship. Soon, his sister was attacked and killed by crocodiles in Gambia. He felt alone. At his aunt's home, Sekka was treated as a servant. He ran away from home several times, but was returned to his aunt's home. He stayed in Gambia until he was in his early teens. He found a job working at the docks, where he kept the monkeys off of the peanut mountains, which were ready for shipment. A short time later, he escaped by stowing away on a ship and ended up in Marseilles, France. With his hard childhood, Sekka was self-educated. He loved reading as many books as he could. Reading was key to his future. In the 1950's, Sekka moved to England. He enlisted in the Royal Air Force. In 1954, Sekka met well known English black actor Earl Cameron, who would serve as an early mentor. After spending a few times together, Cameron told him, "You should be an actor. You can mimic people so well." Sekka started interviewing around London and was hired as a stagehand for the Royal Court Theatre in London. This led to bit parts on the stage. Sekka's talent was noticed during the early 1960's when his group of writers, actors and directors broke through with cutting edge theatre. The group included Tony Richardson, John Osborne, Michael Caine, and Sean Connery. His big break came with the lead role in an English musical, "Mr. Johnson." Sekka was both a great actor and an amazing singer. In 1961, he landed the lead role in "Flame in the Street," a love story between a black man and a white woman. The British newspapers published articles about Sekka's work, considering him one of the biggest black actors in the world. His work was featured in articles with other black lead actors: Sidney Poitier, Earl Cameron, and Errol John. In 1962, Sekka went to Broadway to perform in a musical "Kwamina," a love story featuring a black man and a white woman. When the director, Tony Richardson, was told Sekka could not touch his white co-star on stage, Richardson and Sekka withdrew from the project. Sekka was disappointed about the Broadway show and traveled to Paris where he met the love of his life. Cecilia Enger was working in Paris as an Au Pair. They fell in love. Sekka returned to England to work whileEnger returned to her home in Sweden. Having much in common, they corresponded by mail. In 1964, the couple married in London, England. In 1968, there was a stage play being cast entitled "Bakke's Night of Fame." The lead was written for a white man. It was based on a novel by American writer William Butler. Sekka earned the part because he was considered the best actor for the role. It signified the first time in English theatre that a black actor had been given a role not specifically written for a black man. Politically, it was turning point. Sekka's attention continued to grow. Even difficult British reviewers loved Sekka's talent in "Bakke's Night of Fame." One writer reviewed the play for the Daily Mail Newspaper in London: "A Negro actor muscled into the spotlight last night with a performance that makes me hanker to see him play Othello... His name is Johnny Sekka." Historically, it was a time of civil rights and social change in the world and Sekka's work had an impact on future generations. Another generation was also on its way as Sekka and his wife, Cecilia, were expecting a baby. In 1972, Lamine Bjorn Secka was born in England. He was given Sekka's birth name of Lamine. Sekka was one of the first to hold his son and they were proud parents. In 1973, the family lived in Kenya during production of "The Last Safari," as Sekka worked with actor Stewart Granger. After production, the family moved together to America because it was a time in history when productions in England were being cut back due to heavy taxation. The couple moved to Hollywood. Soon after the move, Sekka landed a lead role in "Mohammad, Messenger of God," also starring Anthony Quinn and Michael Ansara, which was filmed in Morocco. It was an extremely controversial film because Islamic religious leaders did not like the idea of having the Prophet Mohammad being shown in a physical way in the film. The Prophet never was shown in the film. After filming delays and being asked to leave Morocco because of the controversy, Colonel Momar Kadafi invited the production to Libya to finish the film. Production continued in Libya for another nine months. After the film was released on a limited basis in 1976, Sekka and his family received death threats. As a featured actor, he was traveling to different cities to promote the film, when a group of black Muslims took 134 hostages in Washington, DC. The group demanded the film not be released and that their prisoners be set free. The controversy took its toll on the film and it never released wide in the United States. Sekka remained strong throughout a difficult process. Overseas, the film was released world wide to quite a bit of success. The film remains available for viewing in video stores today. Sekka continued acting. In 1984, his part in "Master of the Game," was one of his favorites. Sekka performed for nearly five decades in plays, musicals, films, television, and commercials. An actor of his greatness never retires. To his family, Sekka was a gracious, generous man. He played backgammon with friends, loved entertaining, and most importantly, he was a wonderful husband and an amazing father. Whether it was AYSO soccer or competitive swimming, Sekka was there to support his son, Lamine Secka. In fact, Sekka was watching in 1984 as Lamine won a Gold Medal in the Junior Olympics for the 50-meter breaststroke. He was also proud of Lamine when he graduated from the Police Academy in 1996 and married Alexis Bither in 2002. Sekka was a hero in many ways. He was a self-made man who came from difficult beginnings, he paved the way for other black actors, he showed strength of spirit, and he included everyone in his experience of living. Sekka will be remembered as an extraordinary person in a funeral service at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23, at the Old North Church, Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills.
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