John Kani was born on November 30, 1942 in New Brighton, South Africa as Bonsile John Kani. He is an actor and writer, known for Black Panther (2018), The First Avenger: Civil War (2016) and Der Geist und die Dunkelheit (1996).

Won Broadway's 1975 Tony Award, along with his co-star Winston Ntshona , as Best Actor (Dramatic) for "Sizwe Banzi is Dead and The Island." Was also nominated with Ntshona and Athol Fugard as co-authors in the Best Play nomination for the same production. Winston Ntshona, Athol Fugard and his play, "Size Banzi Is Dead & The Island," on Broadway in New York City was nominated for a 1975 Antoinette Perry (Tony) Award for Best Play. He and Winston Ntshona were awarded the 1975 Antoinette Perry (Tony) Award for Best Actor for "Sizwe Banzi is Dead & the Island," on Broadway in New York City. Kani lost his left eye during a beating by South African police after returning home from a Broadway production of "Sizwe Banzi Is Dead", which was critical of Apartheid. He survived after being left for dead and subsequently won a 1975 Tony Award for his performance.