Celebrant Pam Meily Vetter


	Celebrating Life Everyone Has A Story...

9/17/06 Valley News Article

Johnny Sekka was born in Dakar, Senegal. He had four siblings and came from a poor family. When his father died unexpectedly, Johnny and one of his sisters were sent to live with an aunt in Gambia, Africa. He and his sister had a close relationship. Unfortunately, his sister was attacked and killed by crocodiles not long after the move.

Life at his aunt's home was not good. In fact, he was treated like a servant. He ran away several times to return to his mother's home, but every time he was taken back to his aunt's house. He stayed in Gambia until he was a teenager. He finally escaped by stowing away on a ship, ending up in Marseilles, France. Johnny had an amazing survival instinct. He also read books as much as he could because he believed self-education would carry him forward in life. It did.

In the 1950's, Johnny moved to England and enlisted in the Royal Air Force. In 1954, he met well-known black actor Earl Cameron, who served as an early mentor. Cameron noted Johnny's abilities and suggested acting.

Johnny's career in theatre started at the Royal Court Theatre in London. His big break came with the lead role in an English musical, "Mr. Johnson." In 1961, he landed the lead role in "Flame in the Street," a love story between a black man and a white woman. Soon, Johnny was considered one of the biggest black actors in the world, joining: Sidney Poitier, Earl Cameron, and Errol John.

In 1962, he went to Broadway to perform in a musical, "Kwamina." It was a dream come true. When he was told he could not touch his white co-star on stage, which was a love story, he withdrew from the project.

Disappointed, Johnny went on a vacation to Paris, where he met the love of his life, Cecilia Enger. The couple continued the relationship, corresponding by mail. In 1964, they married in London, England.

In 1968, Johnny was cast in the stage play, "Bakke's Night of Fame." The lead was written for a white man. It was based on a novel by American writer William Butler. Johnny 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. Even difficult British reviewers appreciated and noted Johnny's talents on the stage.

In 1972, Cecilia and Johnny welcomed their son into the world, Lamine Bjorn Secka. They were proud parents. Production work continued and the family lived in Kenya while Johnny was working with actor Stewart Granger on the film, "The Last Safari."

The family moved to Hollywood as Johnny earned a lead role in "Mohammad, Messenger of God." Filming began in Morocco, but after controversy swirled from Islamic religious leaders, they were kicked out of Morocco. There was concern over the Prophet Mohammad being shown in a physical way in the film although the Prophet never was shown in the film.

Colonel Momar Kadafi invited the production to Libya, where Johnny and the crew finished the film. After release of the film, Johnny and his family received death threats. A group of black Muslims took 134 hostages in Washington DC to protest release of the film and demand their prisoners be set free. As a result of the controversy, the film was not released wide in the U.S. Overseas, the film was released wide and found quite a bit of success.

Johnny continued acting. In 1984, he enjoyed working on Sidney Sheldon's miniseries, "Master of the Game." Over the years, Johnny performed in plays, musicals, films, and commercials. An actor of his greatness never retires.

Johnny Sekka will be remembered as a gracious, generous man, who paved the way for other black actors. He was truly a self-made man. Beyond a great actor, he carried many other titles in life: A wonderful husband, a great father, a hero to many, and a loyal friend.

Johnny Sekka will be remembered in a funeral service at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills on Saturday, September 23. The service will be held in the Old North Church at 12:30 PM.