Six Pioneer Nollywood Actors Still Active

The creation of Nollywood started in the year 1960s. It was when the first Nollywood movies were being created by historical filmmakers such as Ola Balogun, Hubert Ogunde, Jab Adu, Moses Olayia and Eddie Ugboma. (“History,”) They are considered the first generation of Nigerian filmmakers.

They started their career with stage performance and gradually moved into the world of film production using the Celluloid format.

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It is unclear how or when exactly the Nollywood came into existence before it was used in a 2002 New York Times article by Matt Steinglass and other article in that year.

Nollywood has come to stay and some of the pioneer actors are still waxing strong in the industry and remain the standard bearer.

When the discussion is about famous Nigerian pioneer actors who are still relevant in the industry, there are several names that come to mind.

THE WHISTLER brings you six names among pioneers still in the spotlight of the Nigerian film industry.

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PETE EDOCHIE

Pete Edochie is highly rated in the Nigeria movie Industry as a role model and father to a lot of upcoming actors and actresses. The first time he went on stage was in 1962 at age 15 when he was a student at St. John’s College. He featured in the drama; Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare.

He came into prominence in the 1980s when he played the lead role of Okonkwo in an NTA adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s all-time bestselling novel, Things Fall Apart, for which he won an international BBC Award.

Since then, Pete has featured in hundreds of movies and has won awards locally and internationally.

OLU JACOB

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Olu Jacob has acted in over 200 Nigerian movies, his charisma and manner of delivery in Nollywood movies cannot be rivaled by any other actor. His superb baritone voice also add some uniqueness to his mastery of the profession. He is an internationally acclaimed Nigerian actor and film executive. He has starred in several British television series and international films.

Olu Jacobs has made his mark in the Nigeria’s movie industry. With more than 40 years acting experience under his belt, Jacobs is seen as a bridge between the old and new breed of actors.

JIDE KOSOKO

Jide kosoko is a popular Yoruba and English Nollywood Actor, producer and director who began his professional career at age 10 in 1964 and has remained in the Nollywood industry for more than five decades.  Jide is one of the pioneers of the Yoruba movies and has featured in numerous films. Also, he is a versatile artist who delivers his role perfectly.

The actor has featured Nollywood movies of both English and Yoruba Genres. His first movie production was in 1992 when he produced the movie, Asiri Nla (Top Secret).

ALEX USIFO OMIAGBO

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Alex Usifo is a famous Nigerian actor who began his acting carrier in the late 80s. In 1984 his acting career kicked off when he played a major role in the tele-movie ‘The Return of the Native’, produced by Ray Yusuf for NTA, Ilorin. After, he moved on to take lead roles in ‘Natas’ and ‘Two People’ on LTV 8 produced by Baba Babs Fashina.  He has featured in Numerous Nollywood movies and has made a name for himself long before Nollywood came into existence.

RICHARD MOFE DAMIJO

Richard Mofe Damijo popularly known as RMD is a Nigerian actor and politician. His first movie was in 1997, Out of bounds, He also featured in the 1998 blockbuster movie, Diamond Rings In 2005 he won the African Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role and still much around in the game.

KANAYO O KANAYO

Anayo Modestus Onyekwere Popularly known as Kanayo O. Kanayo, made his debut film appearance in 1992 in the film Living in Bondage. In 2006 he won the African Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role.

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