Jimi Bani facts for kids

Jimi Bani is an Indigenous Australian actor. He is well-known for playing the land rights activist Eddie Mabo in the 2012 TV movie Mabo. He has also starred in many television shows and theatre plays.

About Jimi Bani

Early Life and Learning

Jimi Bani is a Torres Strait Islander from Mabuiag Island. His family belongs to the Wadagadum people. His father was a tribal chief. Jimi went to a special school for performing arts. This school was called the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts.

Jimi's Acting Journey

Jimi Bani started his acting career in 2006. His first role was in a TV mini-series called RAN: Remote Area Nurse. This show was on SBS One.

In 2012, Jimi appeared in two important ABC1 shows. He was in the series The Straits and the TV movie Mabo. Both of these shows were nominated for awards. Later in 2012, he also acted in Redfern Now. This was a six-part series made by Blackfella Films.

Theatre Performances

From late 2013 to 2014, Jimi performed in a play called The Shadow King. He was nominated for a Helpmann Awards for his role. This play was shown at many big festivals across Australia.

In 2017, Jimi was part of the Queensland Theatre's artistic team. He helped plan their shows for the year.

A special play he was in was My Name is Jimi. He helped create this show with Jason Klarwein. What made it unique was that members of his own family performed in it! The play took the audience on a journey to his island. It included music, dance, and storytelling. Four generations of his family shared stories about their traditions and childhood. This show was also performed at the Sydney Festival in 2018.

In early 2022, Jimi played George in a play called Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?. Critics praised his performance. Later in 2022, Jimi and Jason Klarwein worked together again. They put on a new version of William Shakespeare's play Othello. This play was set in the Torres Straits. It first showed at the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair in 2021. Jimi played Othello as a soldier from the Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion during World War II. The play was performed in three languages: Kala Lagaw Ya, Yumplatok, and English. Jimi's three brothers also performed cultural songs and dances with him.

Family Life

Jimi Bani lives in Cairns, Queensland, with his partner Idelia. They have five children together. He also has three brothers named Richard, Gabriel, and Conwell. Jimi's great-grandfather was a soldier in the Torres Straits Light Infantry.

Awards and Recognitions

Jimi Bani has received many awards and nominations for his acting.

Jimi Bani's Work

Movies

TV Shows

Theatre Plays

See also

In Spanish: Jimi Bani para niños