Sarah Hassan

Last updated
Sarah Hassan
Sarah-Hassan.jpg
Born (1988-09-05) 5 September 1988 (age 36)
Mombasa, Kenya
Alma mater Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, New York Film Academy
Occupation(s) Actress
Host
Years active2007-present
SpouseMartin Dale
Children1
Website Official website

Sarah Hassan, O.G.W. (born 5 September 1988) is a Kenyan actress, producer, director and former TV host. She is notable for her roles in television series such as Crime and Justice , Tahidi High,The Wedding Show and Zora [1] and films that include the Nigerian-Kenyan romantic comedy Plan B and Family Vacation. [2] [3] Sarah Hassan also features in DSTv's show, Zari, as Nina. [4]

Contents

Her awards include Best Actress (2014) for the short film Now That You're Here; Best TV Host (2014) at the Kalasha Awards (Discovery+ 254); Best East African Journalist (2015) at the Swahili Fashion Week (Mashariki Mix and Maisha Max); Best Actress at the Kalasha Awards in 2019 (Plan B); [5] and again in 2021 (Crime and Justice). [5] In 2022, alonside Willy Paul, she was a Brand Ambassador for OPPO's Reno 8 phone series. [6] [7] She is currently the Brand Ambassador for Dettol Skincare. [8]

Early life

Sarah Hassan was born on September 5, 1988 in Mombasa, Kenya as the only child of her parents. She started acting at the age of five. [9] For her secondary school education, she went to Machakos Girls' High School and later attended Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, where she pursued a Bachelors of Science in Actuarial Science. [10] She later on went to study Television and Film at the New York Film Academy in 2016. [11]

Career

Hassan made her debut on TV in 2009 as Tanya, on the Kenyan high-school drama series Tahidi High and became one of the lead characters at the time. She also starred in several series such as Demigods, Saints, and Changes, and even went on to host the East African Dance show Sakata Mashariki. In 2013 she took over Noni Gathoni's role in The Wedding Show as the main host until December 2014.

Sarah Hassan was a lead producer for 40 Sticks which won several awards. [11] Through her own Production Company, Alfajiri Productions, she has produced Plan B in 2019, Reflections- a short film and Just In Time. [12] [11] In 2018, while in Los Angeles after her studies, she also wrote, directed and produced a film, The Company You Keep. [11]

In August 2024, Netflix released Family Vacation , a Kenyan drama co-directed by Voline Ogutu and Edwin Kamau, in which Hassan stars as an internet influencer who tries to save her marriage and family. [2]

Besides acting, she is a brand ambassador to several Kenyan fashion lines. [13] She is currently based in Nairobi, Kenya.

During the 61st Jamhuri Day celebrations in December 2024, Sarah Hassan got a Presidential Award for her contributions in the Film industry. She got awarded with an Order of the Grand Warrior (O.G.W) of Kenya recognition. Therefore she will add the initials of the honor after her name. [14]

Personal life

Sara Hassan married Martin Dale on February 25, 2017 and together they have a son. [15]

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
2007Nefertiti and the Lost DynastyDebut
2009Tahidi HighTanyaWon—Chaguo la Teeniez Awards
2010DemigodsKamilaSupporting role
2011SaintsLora
SakataHerselfHost
ChangesLiza
2013 House of Lungula ChichiFilm
2014–present Jane & Abel LeahMain cast
2014Live or DieCatwomanFilm
Now That You're HereKatherineShort film
2015–present Discovery +254 Herself26 episodes
How to Find a Husband CarolLead role
Maisha MaxHostReality show
2019 Plan B LisaMain cast
2021Just In TimeMuthoniMain cast
ZoraZoraLead role
2021-2022 Crime and Justice Detective MakenaLead role
2023ZariNinaMain Cast
2024Family VacationYara MalekiLead role

Nominations and awards

YearAwardCategoryShowResultRef
2011Chaguo la Teeniez AwardsBest ActressTahidi HighWon
20132013 Kalasha AwardsBest Supporting Actress House of Lungula Won
20152015 Kalasha Awards Discovery +254 Best TV HostsWon [16]
2018Festigious International Film Festival 2018Best ActressThe Company You Keep
2018L.A Shorts Awards 2018Best Actress Silver AwardThe Company You Keep [9]
2018L.A Shorts Awards 2018Best Short Film Silver AwardThe Company You Keep [9]
2019Kalasha

Awards

Best ActressPlan BWon [9]
2021Kalasha

Awards

Best Actress in a TV Drama Crime and Justice Won [9]
2021Kalasha

Awards

Best Actress in a FilmJust In TimeWon [9]
2022 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards Best Actress in A ComedyJust In Time [17]
Best Movie East Africa
Best Movie Overall

References

  1. "Sarah Hassan's biography" . Retrieved November 6, 2012.
  2. 1 2 "Family Vacation: A dose of family drama sponsored by social media". Business Daily. 2024-08-13. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
  3. Kanja, Kirsten. "It's Sarah Hassan's season". www.tnx.africa. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
  4. "Meet Nina - Zari". MaishaMagicPlus - Meet Nina - Zari. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
  5. 1 2 "Meet Nina - Zari". MaishaMagicPlus - Meet Nina - Zari. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
  6. "Willy Paul, Sarah Hassan Chosen as OPPO Reno8 O-Stars - Techspace Africa". 2022-10-19. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
  7. "Willy Paul and Sarah Hassan to headline OPPO Reno 8 Series - Techish Kenya". 2022-10-19. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
  8. "Actress Sarah Hassan named brand ambassador for newly relaunched Dettol skincare soap". Capital Business. 2024-04-30. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Sarah Hassan" . Retrieved 2021-10-29.
  10. Kimani, Sheila. "WCW: Sarah Hassan - Quiet beauty and elegance". Standard Entertainment and Lifestyle. Retrieved 2021-11-18.
  11. 1 2 3 4 Kanja, Kirsten. "It's Sarah Hassan's season". www.tnx.africa. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
  12. Mahugu, Jacqueline. "'Just in Time' is a sunshiny, feel-good type of movie that makes for easy watching, a new-ish genre in Kenya". The Standard. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
  13. "Sarah Hassan's beauty and elegance". Standard Media Group. August 26, 2015.
  14. Owino, Michael (2024-12-12). "Sarah Hassan Awarded OGW Award by President Ruto" . Retrieved 2024-12-12.
  15. SDE. "Sarah Hassan: This is where I met my husband Martin Dale". Standard Entertainment and Lifestyle. Retrieved 2021-11-18.
  16. "Kalasha awards winners". allafrica.com. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
  17. "2022 Africa Magic Awards Nominees don land- See who dey list". BBC News Pidgin. Retrieved 2022-03-26.