Newton Mayenge

Newton Mayenge is an award-winning actor, director, and producer best known for his breakout portrayal of NBA legend Jim Chones in the HBO series Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty (2022–2023), a performance that helped earn him recognition at the Hollywood and African Prestigious Awards for Best Supporting Actor. He gained further attention for his work in projects such as the Apple TV horror feature Spaghetti (2023), where he delivered a standout performance that led to multiple festival nominations, including a Critic’s Choice Award for Best Actor at the Indo French International Film Festival. Mayenge has continued to build a strong presence across independent film and television, with credits including Happy Anniversary (2025), Time Setters (2025), and Progeny (2024), while also expanding into executive producing and directing through a growing slate of short films and television projects.

In recent years, Mayenge has significantly elevated his creative footprint behind the camera, directing and producing over 100 short-form projects and actor reels through Jig Reel Studios in Pasadena, California. His producing credits include The Umbra (2022), Swag Town (2021), and the Cannes-set romantic drama The Other Side of Fame (2025), in which he also stars. He is also attached to several upcoming projects including the feature film Leave (2026) and multiple television productions currently in development. Alongside his screen career, Mayenge continues to train actors and develop talent while balancing a growing slate of international film work, cementing his reputation as a multi-hyphenate filmmaker actively shaping independent cinema.