Moonyeenn Lee, a trailblazing South African casting director, talent agent, and producer, has passed away at the age of 76. She was born in Johannesburg and educated in England, where she began working for a knitwear company at the age of 17.
After a five-year marriage to salesman Leon Lee, which produced two children, David and Cindy, Moonyeenn found herself looking for a new career. She trained to become an agent with James Fraser of Fraser and Dunlop in England and went on to become a casting director and producer, working on numerous films and television shows.
Moonyeenn's talent and dedication to her craft earned her a number of accolades, including Primetime Emmy Award nominations for her work on the Hulu series The Looming Tower and the 2016 Roots remake. She was also the first South African member of both the Motion Picture and Television Academies.
Moonyeenn's passion for the industry was contagious, and she inspired many aspiring actors and filmmakers throughout her career. Her agency, MLA, announced her passing on the morning of July 18, 2020, due to complications related to COVID-19.
Moonyeenn Lee will be remembered as a pioneering figure in the South African entertainment industry and a beloved colleague and friend to many. Her legacy will live on through the countless actors and filmmakers she helped to nurture and the many projects she contributed to throughout her career.