Sammy Nagi Njuguna
Columbia native and 2006 Dutch Fork High School graduate Sammy Nagi Njuguna has a supporting role in the movie, “The 5th Quarter,” which releases nationwide in theaters Friday.
Starring Andie MacDowell (a native of Gaffney) and Aiden Quinn, the movie depicts the true story of high school quarterback Luke Abbate, who died in a reckless driving incident four days shy of his 16th birthday and how his death motivated his older brother Jon to lead the Wake Forest football team through the most successful season in the school’s history.
“It’s a very heartwarming and family friendly movie about the power of belief when people come together,” said Njuguna.
In the movie, Njuguna portrays, Josh Gattis, a Wake Forest player who is close to Jon Abbate, played by Ryan Merriman.
“He was very influential in Wake Forest team being so powerful when all the chips were stacked against them,” Njuguna explains of his character. “He also understands Jon’s pain and is always there for him.”
Currently residing in Los Angeles, Njuguna grew up in Columbia and Irmo and spent a few years in Kenya. While in Irmo he starred in plays at Chapin, Town Theatre and at Dutch Fork. He appeared in several commercials, educational and student films while attending Midlands Technical College.
“I remember being younger in Irmo and having the passion for comedy and acting with no idea what to do about it,” he said. “This was actually my first major project. I had done a lot of commercials and student film work but nothing with big names.”
Even so, the movie role was not a complete stretch from his days as a high school football player.
“It was a great role to play and I learned a lot about movie sets and how things work,” he said. “And being decked out in Wake Forest gear wasn’t too bad also.”
“The 5th Quarter” was filmed on the Wake Forest Campus in Winston-Salem the end of 2008. Njuguna was a student at Francis Marion University when he landed the role.
“I went through two rounds of auditions and got a phone call weeks later with the good news,” he said, adding he’s still adjusting to his new life.
“At times it’s still surreal for me that I’m actually doing what I dreamed and having things like interviews and premieres going on these days,” he said. “It was a very seamless transition to screen, and all the people I met were genuine and sincere. They made me feel comfortable right off the bat.”
Previews of “The 5th Quarter” can be seen online and on YouTube.
Read more: http://www.thestate.com/2011/03/20/1741476/verner-awards-honor-two-columbians.html#ixzz1JPDP1omk
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