Ten Living Legends of Nollywood
Nigeria’s movie-making industry, Nollywood has come a long way.
From the days of Living in Bondage, a two-part drama thriller film directed by Chris Obi Rapu; Saworoide, a Nigerian political drama film, produced and directed by Tunde Kelani to other blockbusters released in the late 90s and early 2000s, are actors who laboured under the burden of making Nollywood an acclaimed body.
Some of the actors from this period are still alive, and interestingly, not only are they alive, they are also still labouring either by acting or contributing in other forms to enhance the industry’s growth.
For this list, eelive.ng highlights some of the actors who are still alive at the time of this writing.
Lere Paimo, also known as Eda Onile Ola, the actor is a very talented actor who has paid his dues in the movie industry. The veteran Yoruba movie star who has been in the movie circle for over five and a half decades has many awards for his great performances on stage and screen, including the award of the national honours of Member of the Federal Republic (MFR).
Paimo, 81, earned his moniker after a beatific portrayal of one of his numerous leading roles.
Motivated by the acting prowess of legends like Duro Ladipo (M.O.N) and Oyin Adejobi, both of blessed memories, Paimo’s first role on stage was as Chief Bisa, a comedian in the play Obamoro, but he got his major break-through role in the epic feature Ogbori-Elemoso.
With over 400 films and video credits in his pouch, Paimo is a legend who has made his mark in the industry.
Sadiq Daba is a veteran actor, producer and director who has spent about four decades of his life behind and in front of the camera. From news reading to acting, his sterling career has been crowned with awards and recognition.
He rose to stardom having acted as Bitrus in Cock Crow At Dawn, the popular soap opera that ruled the TV in the 1970s and 1980s. Interestingly, ever since, the stage name has stuck to him, such that most people don’t know him by his real name.
Daba’s methodical approach to theatre has won him several recognitions and fortunes and has also made him a favourite of millions of viewers for several years.
Pete Edochie is one of the leading actors who have contributed massively to the industry. His sojourn into the world of film began when he left the Eastern Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (ENBC). He rose to stardom in the 1980s and thanks to his lead role as Okonkwo in an NTA adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s best-selling novel, Things Fall Apart. The film earned him international recognition, and accolades from movie enthusiasts.
With several awards and accolades to his name, his journey to success is one that has seen him contribute immensely to the growth of Nigeria’s film industry.
In 2003, former president Olusegun Obasanjo honoured Edochie as a Member of the Order of the Niger.
Idowu Philips, otherwise known as Iya Rainbow, is a veteran actress with over 45 years in the movie-making industry. Having debuted her acting career in 1986 after she retired from nursing, the 78-year-old has made several appearances in loads of movies.
Joke Silva began her acting career in the early 1990s. In 1998, he starred alongside British actor, Colin Firth and American actress, Nia Long in the British-Canadian film The Secret Laughter of Women.
Silva is a recipient of several awards, including the Member of The Order of Federal Republic’ (MFR).
Owing to his consistency of acting which has spanned over 50 years, Jide Kosoko has been able to literally write his name in the Nollywood hall of fame.
He began his acting career in 1964 at the age of 10. Kosoko rose to prominence after participating in a pidgin English program titled, Awada Kerikeri. As a producer, director, and actor, some of his works include Asiri Nla (1992), Olorire (2003), Eje Adegbenro 1&2 (2006), Broken Chakkels (2017), amongst others.
Olu Jacobs is one of the veteran actors who have graced the silver screen for over forty years. The 78-year-old has starred in several British Television series and international films between 1970 and the 80s.
Some of his international works include –The Goodies, Till Death Us Do Part, Balow At Large. The Ventures, Angels, The tomorrow People, The Professionals, The Dogs of War, Roman Polanski’s Adventure Comedy, Pirates, and the family adventure film, Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend.
Born in 1953, Adebayo Salami otherwise known as Oga Bello began his acting career in 1964 and produced his first movie Ogun Ajaye in 1985. Since then, he has produced and directed many Yoruba movies.
He is a pioneer member of the Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (ANTP) and also served as President of the association.
Nkem Owoh is a comic actor who landed his first major break when he landed a role in the screen adaptation of Chinua Achebe‘s Things Fall Apart. He has acted in over 200 films and TV productions.
At the time Richard Mofe-Damijo debuted his career, he was joggling between studies and acting. He featured as one of the lead actors in blockbusters like –Hostages, Diamond Ring, Freedom, Out of Bounds, amongst others. He is a recipients of many awards.
