Brian Kabugi famously known as “Buggi” is a young talented Kenyan actor who graced our screen at the age of 11 years. Kabugi is a true definition of resilience, discipline, and hard work as he ranks as one of the young actors who are pushing the Kenyan film industry to another level.
Kabugi was featured in Machachari one one the biggest teen shows to ever hit national television. He was featured as an extra and this paved the way for him to showcase his potential.
In our feature, we tell the transformation journey of the young star from Machachari to NetFlix.
Brian Kabugi Age and Place of Birth
Kabugi was born on September 2, 2000, in Lang’ata, Nairobi County.
Career
Brian Kabugi made his acting debut in 2012 at the age of 11 earning a role in Machachari. At the time Macharichari was a big thing in the film industry with the young actors showing their talents.
The show had attracted millions of viewers countrywide with most kids admiring a chance to also get on the TV and Brian Kabugi was among the kids. Unlike other kids, his wish to join the show was fulfilled coming in as an extra to appear on only one episode.
However, the young man took the opportunity and seized it earning a permanent role in the show casting as Kenny. The show opened more doors for the actor earning more roles in different films.
After leaving the show, he joined hands with Martin Githinji in the Mnet feature film Blood Brothers. In 2018, he was featured in one of the biggest projects of the Zamaradi Production film Dreamchild. The film was later nominated for the 2019 AMVCA, falling under the category of ‘best indigenous film in Africa’. The film also received the Zanzibar International Film Festival and Kalasha awards.
After that, he was featured in one of the biggest Maish Magic shows Kina the film also features some of the big actors and media personalities including Sanaipei Tande and Jimmy Gathu. Currently, he’s playing a lead role in a Showmax show dubbed Salem s2 casting as Tito.
The film also features the late Charles Ouda who recently passed on for unknown reasons after patying with Salem Casts including Kabugi who shared a strong acting bond.
Transformation to Netflix
While his dream is to get into Hollywood scenes, Kabugi recently made a big achievement after he was featured in a Kenyan NetFlix film. The film dubbed Volume debuted on 20th December 2023 with Brian Kabugi being the lead actor playing as Benja. In the film he plays the character of a young rapper trying to make it through the art, juggling from church to club while his single mum tries to protect him from the world. The season of the film is set to premiere this year on Netflix.
Brian Kabugi Film Awards
Following his series of good films back to back in 2020 he was nominated for the Kisima Awards in the category of Africa’s Best Lead Actor. However, he wasn’t lucky to win the award but he managed to walk home with Ksh 1 million.
Brian Kabugi Net Worth
Currently, he’s one of the hottest actors in the market, and by getting the lead roles he automatically enters the category of the highest paid actors in Kenya. In 2020 he won a million shillings making him a millionaire. Currently, he’s valued at Ksh 5 million and above.