Became a member of the Screen Actors Guild in 1970.
His first film was the 1960 South-African-made "Tremor" which dealt with the Coalbrook mining disaster.
Married with two sons: Ken Jr. and Gatsha.
Suffered indignities as a black actor in South Africa despite his success in Hollywood. In 1975, he was cast as Lennie in a South African stage production of John Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men," but was allowed to play the role only after the government gave him permission to share a stage with white actors.
Was involved in many theatre musicals by Bertha Egnos, including "Dingaka" and "Ipi Tombi," the most successful musical ever staged in South Africa. He was also featured in the jazz opera "King Kong."