Shonka Dukureh: Elvis actor found dead in bedroom

An actor who portrayed Big Mama Thornton in Baz Luhrmann’s “Elvis” biopic has been found dead in the bedroom of her apartment.

Shonka Dukureh, an actor and blues singer who portrayed Big Mama Thornton in Baz Luhrmann’s “Elvis” biopic, died on Thursday in Tennessee, police confirmed. She was 44.

The musician was found dead inside her bedroom in the Nashville apartment she shared with her two children, according to a tweet by the Metro Nashville Police Department, the New York Post reports.

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She played Big Mama Thornton in the new “Elvis” movie. Warner Bros. / Avalon

The Tennessean reported that one of Dukureh’s children found her unresponsive before rushing to a neighbour’s home, who then called emergency services at approximately 9.30pm local time.

A spokesman for the MNPD confirmed that the medical examiner is working to determine the cause of death. No foul play is suspected.

Shonka Dukureh, an actor and blues singer who starred in the new “Elvis” movie, was found dead on Thursday. Picture: Instagram / iamshonkadurukeh

A representative for Dukureh did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The mum of two is best known for playing the iconic role of Big Mama Thornton in “Elvis,” which follows the life of the late Elvis Presley. The movie, which premiered on June 24, was Dukureh’s first and only movie credit, according to IMDB.

Dukureh was reportedly found by one of her kids. Instagram / iamshonkadurukeh

Dukureh proudly reflected on her role in the movie – and getting the opportunity to sing Presley’s hit song “Hound Dog” – via Instagram ahead of her death.

“Gratefulness is where I live cuz [sic] my granny, gmama, momma, family modeled and instilled it in me,” she wrote on July 13. “It isn’t a posture of less than or crumbs scraping, but one that acknowledges good things aren’t a guarantee and when we encounter them thankfulness, gratefulness is the least we can express.”

This story was published by the New York Post and reproduced with permission.