The movie industry, especially in Nigeria, has helped shape the lives of people in different ways. From depicting touching real stories to fun to entertaining a wide range of audiences, Nigerian actors have, over the decades, outdid themselves.
As a result, there are some actors whose names cannot be forgotten for the roles they played in encouraging the industry’s growth.
These actors have stood the test of time by bringing the different characters they play to life. Here are some Hollywood actors that cannot be forgotten in a hurry, in no particular order.
Here’s a List of 15 Nollywood Actors Who Have Stood the Test of Time
1. PATIENCE OZOKWO
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Patience known as Mama G, was born on the 14th of September 1958 in Enugu State, she is one of the veterans of Nollywood, she is also a singer and an Evangelist. She attended Abimbola Gibson Memorial School in Lagos State and obtained her NCE certificate.
As the years went by, Patience went back to school to get a degree in Fine and Applied Arts at the Institute of Management and Technology Enugu. Patience started out her career as a teacher and then later as a radio broadcaster.
She got married at the age of 19, and in 2000 she lost her husband. The veteran actress never remarried because of her children. She has three biological children and five adopted ones. Recently Patience put a pause on her acting career to focus on God’s work of evangelism and spreading the Gospel.
She enjoys a net worth of about $700,000 and was once regarded as one of the highest-paid actresses in the industry. She was also among some 100 top Nigerian citizens honored at the celebration of the Amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates by the Government in the year 2014.
2. NKEM OWUH
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Nkem, also known as Osuofia was born on the 7th of February 1958 in Enugu state, he is mostly known in the movie industry as a comedian. The movie Osuofia in London was one of the movies that made him popular.
He has a degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Ilorin, Kwara state, he is said to have started acting while at the university. Nkem enjoys a net worth of about $4 million.
3. PETE EDOCHIE
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Pete is one of Nigeria’s oldest veteran actors, his acting career started after the role he played in the soap Things Fall Apart – a book written by Chinua Achebe where he played the character of Okonkwo.
He was born on the 7th of March 1947 in Anambra State of Nigeria. Edochie is married to his Mrs. Josephine Edochie and they are blessed with two children Yul who is also an actor like him, and Linc Edochie. He has many grandchildren.
The actor has received lots of awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Africa Film Academy. Pete Edochie enjoys a net worth of about $4 million.
4. RITA DOMINIC
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Also known as Rita Uchenna Nwaturuocha is one of the many beautiful talents that have graced Nollywood, she was born on the 12th of July 1975 to her parents who were both medical practitioners. Rita is the youngest of four children.
She attended Federal Government College in Akwa Ibom State and later studied Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt.
She has won many awards including the City Peoples Awards for Outstanding Actress. Her net worth is estimated at about $3.5 million.
5. GENEVIEVE NNAJI
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She is a mother, an actress, and a singer amongst other things. She was born on the 3rd of May 1979 in Mbaise Imo state but grew up in Lagos State and was raised by her Engineer and school teacher parents. Nnaji has about seven siblings and is the fourth of them.
Genevieve started her acting career at the age of 8 in a popular Nigerian Soap called Ripples. Since then she has starred in more than 200 movies.
Apart from being an excellent actor, she is also a model and has featured in many commercials as well as became the Face of Lux in Nigeria in 2004 and also the face of MUD in Nigeria in 2010 which is a highly paid sponsorship deal.
Genevieve is also a women’s activist and has won many prestigious awards like Best Actress in a Leading Role (AMAA).
Her directed movie Lion Heart is the first Netflix movie from Nigeria and also the first Nigerian submission for the Oscar but was disqualified because most of the dialogues were in English. She enjoys a net worth of about $10 million.
6. CLEM OHMEZE
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Clem is one of Nollywood’s Veteran and well-loved actors, he was born on the 27th of June 1965 in Port Harcourt, Rivers state of Nigeria.
He is married to his wife Esther Chinwe Ohameze and is blessed with children too.
Clem is mostly known for the occultic and ritual roles he plays and embodies so well that it looks real. One of his first movies is End Time which really put him out there. His net worth is estimated to be around $4.5 million.
7. RICHARD MOFE-DAMIJO
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RMD as he is fondly called was born on the 6th of July 1961 in Delta State, Nigeria. He obtained his first degree from the University of Benin where he studied Theatre Arts. Several years later he went back to school and got a second degree in Law at the University of Lagos in 2004.
Richard has been married twice haven lost his first wife some years ago. He is now married to his second wife Jumobi Adegbesan, and has four children.
Apart from being a great actor he is also a politician and was once the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Delta State.
He has also received lots of awards for his movie performance and contribution to humanity. He was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016, and also Best Actor in a Leading Role at the Africa Movie Academy Award. RMD has a net worth of about $7 million.
8. OLU JACOBS
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This fine outstanding actor also known as Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs was born on the 11th of July 1942. He lived in Kano State when he was young and growing up. There he attended Trinity School before later moving to England where he was trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts.
Olu is married to a fellow actress Joke Silva and together they have 3 children but just 2 surviving.
He has made appearances in different movies as well as soaps both in Nigeria and outside. Jacobs, the veteran actor has also won numerous awards including African Movie Academy Awards for Best Actor in a Leading Role. His net worth is estimated to be about $2.3 million.
He is well-loved and respected for his impeccable acting talent and his contribution to the film community.
9. ZACK ORJI
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Zack Orji was born in the year 1960. He wasn’t born in Nigeria as his birthplace is Gabon. After his birth, he and his family moved to Togo, Cameroon, and the Benin Republic. As a result, Zack speaks French fluently.
He attended the University of Nigeria Nsukka where he had his Degree. He is married and has children. Zack Orji’s net worth is about $ 3 million.
10. KANAYO O KANAYO
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He is also known as Anayo Modestus Onyekwere, he was born on the 1st of March 1962 in Imo State. He was married to his wife Nneka but they are now divorced. They have four children together.
One of the first movies that brought him to the limelight was Living in Bondage.
He is a lawyer and a politician, he contested for the position of House of Representative in Imo State but did not win, his net worth is about $2.5 million.
11. SAM DEDE
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This veteran beloved actor is also known as Samuel Dedetoku, he was born on the 17th of November 1965. He is from Rivers State he got his degree from the University of Port Harcourt.
One of his hit movies of all time is Issakaba where he played the role of Ebube. The actor has won many awards and has a net worth of about $3 million.
Sam is not only an actor but also a politician, a director, and a lecturer.
READ ALSO: Bolanle Ninalowo; 10 Facts About The Actor, His Marriage And Divorce
12. OSITA IHEME
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This exceptional man has used his uniqueness and talent to inspire and as well as entertain people over the years in the movie industry, especially in comedy. Osita Iheme was born on the 20th of February 1982.
For most of his acting career, he has played the role of a child even though he is not. One of his big breaks is from a movie he acted in alongside his counterpart Chinedu Ikedieze titled Aki and Pawpaw.
Apart from being a funny actor, he is also a businessman who owns lots of properties and hotels. He is married and is blessed with children too. Pawpaw’s net worth is estimated to be about $ 3 million.
13. RAMSEY NOUAH
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Ramsey has been known as the lover boy and player in Nollywood for the roles he plays. He was born on the 19th of December 1970 to his parents – an Israeli father and his mother who is Owo from Ondo State.
He revealed that he never knew his father and wouldn’t even recognize him. Also, Ramsey started acting while sourcing funds to take an exam.
Ramsey enjoys a net worth of $ 4.5 million to his name.
14. KENNETH OKONKWO
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He is a great and beloved actor in the movie industry, born on the 6th of November 1968.
Kenneth is best known for one of his earliest and most popular movies titled Living in Bondage where he played the role of Andy Okeke. In the movie, his character was faced with serious problems as a result of his actions and decisions.
Okonkwo is also one of the richest actors in the industry with a net worth of about $5 million.
15. JIM IYKE
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Jim was born on the 25th of September as James Ikechukwu Esomugha and has seven sisters. He is the only male child, apart from being a superb actor Jim also has different business enterprises.
He is said to be one of the richest actors in Nollywood with an estimated net worth of about $30 million.
