Dukureh, an actress, author and playwright, made her big screen debut just a month ago in Baz Luhrmann’s biopic ELVIS. She portrayed Big Mama Thornton, an R&B singer and songwriter, and the first person to record Leiber and Stoller’s “Hound Dog” in 1952.
In the movie, she performs “Hound Dog.” The real Elvis Presley would go on to record the song four years later and it turned into one of his biggest hits.
Dukureh was found dead on Thursday, July 21, in a bedroom at her home in Nashville, which she shared with her two young children, the Metro Nashville Police Department confirmed. One of her children found her unresponsive and alerted a neighbor, who called 911.
The Metro Nashville Police stated there were no signs of foul play, and autopsy results are pending.
Baz Luhrmann, the director of ELVIS paid a moving tribute to Dukureh on Instagram.
Alongside images of Dukureh as Thornton and a picture of himself and Dukureh hugging, Luhrmann wrote that he and the ELVIS cast and crew were “heartbroken.”
His post was reshared by ELVIS star Austin Butler, who played Elvis, and Olivia DeJonge, who portrayed Priscilla Presley.
Luhrmann wrote: A special light went out today and all of the Elvis movie family are heartbroken by the loss of Shonka Dukureh. From the moment she came into our world, Shonka brought joy, spirit, and of course her voice and her music. Whenever she was on set, on stage, or even just in the room, everyone always felt uplifted.
“Shonka was just starting to find a larger audience for her tremendous talent, and I got to see her uplift whole crowds of people at Coachella and beyond. A favorite word of Shonka’s, in daily use, was “blessings,” and I, along with the entire Elvis cast, crew, and musical collaborators, feel truly blessed to have had time with her.
“We send all our love and support to Shonka’s children and family at this time.”
Nashville Mayor, John Cooper, also paid tribute to Dukureh, writing on Twitter: “My deepest condolences to the family of Shonka Dukureh. Shonka graduated from @Fisk1866 and called Nashville home for many years.
“Her powerful voice and artistry will live on through her music, and we honor her memory on this sad day.”
Before turning to acting and singing, Dukureh worked as a second-grade teacher and with inner-city youth.
Earlier this year, she shared the stage at Coachella with Grammy winner Doja Cat to perform “Vegas” from the ELVIS soundtrack. She had previously worked with musicians such as Jamie Liddell and The Royal Pharaohs and Nick Cave.
Playing the role of Thornton in ELVIS wasn’t something Dukureh took lightly.
Speaking to The Tennessean ahead of the movie’s cinematic release, Dukureh said: “Big Mama Thornton] was really raw with what she did and very honest and truthful and [made] music as she felt it. And I could totally relate to that.
“I was very aware and wanting to really be intentional about making sure I was paying respect, respecting her, respecting her legacy, respecting her spirit, respecting everything about what she brought to music, and understanding that I’m able to do it because she’s done it and laid that foundation.”
ELVIS is out now in theaters.
