Badja Djola

Who was Badja Djola?

Badja Medu Djola was an American actor. D’jola appeared in 47 films and TV shows during his career. His best role was as Leon Isaac Kennedy’s cellmate in the movie Penitentiary. D’jola played the bad guy character "Half Dead." He showed exceptional acting talent in the movie, which led to more roles. He also had a supporting role in Wes Craven’s 1988 movie The Serpent and the Rainbow. Mr. D’jola’s other film and TV credits include Mississippi Burning, A Rage in Harlem, The Lonely Guy, The Last Boy Scout, NYPD Blue, Rosewood, The Hurricane, Night Shift, The Waterdance, ER, The X Files, Millennium and Roc. He also had a role in The Players Club starring Ice Cube. Badja D’jola died of a heart attack at age 56. Interred at Inglewood Park Cemetery, Inglewood, California.