Shonka Dukureh, singer and 'Elvis' actress, dead at 44

Shonka Dukureh, a singer and actress who portrayed Willie Mae"Big Mama" Thornton in the recently released Baz Luhrmann film"Elvis," died Thursday, according to Nashville police.

She was 44. Dukureh was found dead in her Nashville apartment that she shared with her two young children. No foul play was evident, police said. Dukureh's role as Thornton, an R&B singer who was the first artist to record the song"Hound Dog," later made famous by Elvis Presley, was her first major film appearance.She is featured on the"Elvis" soundtrack and appears in the music video for Doja Cat's song"Vegas," also from the movie's soundtrack.

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