TOP 06 VETERAN NOLLYWOOD ACTORS WHO GOT FAMOUS DUE TO THEIR RITUALISTIC ROLES IN NOLLYWOOD EPIC MOVIES

Recently on social media, memes have been popping up on these veteran Nollywood actors who conquered the Nollywood era in Nigerian movies as Ritualists and their roles affected their lives outside the screen. A lot of people confessed their fear for these actors though their real lives are nothing compared to what they are paid to act.

These actors will be seen below, those who caused serious shaking in ritualistic roles in the Nollywood empire.

1. KANAYO O KANAYO-THE FATHER OF RITUALISTS:

Kanayo O Kanayo is the professional and nickname name that withholds the famous Nollywood veteran actor, Anayo Modestus Onyekwere. He was born on March 1^st 1962 and is presently an actor and a Lawyer. Kanayo had his career debut in 1982 and he acted in productions by the Nigerian Television Authority. He made his first movie appearance by the year 1992 in the film “Living in Bondage”. Kanayo has played the character of being a ritualist in Nollywood for over 31 years and has built a solid foundation in this. he made his ritualistic debut in Nollywood’s first blockbuster success “Living in Bondage”. The success of this movie and the outstanding performance of this actor got him a huge opportunity in several ritualist films that went round the market in the 1900s and much of the 2000s. the actor was productive in his ritualist roles and quickly became the face of the Nollywood’s potent era of ritual films. Though other actors had a gift for acting ritualist roles in movies, but none has matched up to his ritualist qualities. Presently, he is the Nigerian pop culture avatar of the ritualist. The Nigerian public’s obsession with wealth also made his characters attractive and desirable, no matter how nasty the movies end.

2. PETE EDOCHIE- THE RITUALIST BOARD CHAIRMAN:

Chief Pete Edochie Aka Ebudedike is another Nollywood veteran actor who was born on March 7^th 1947. The famous actor was born in Enugu state, Nigeria. His first role came in 1980 when he was cast to play Okonkwo in “Things Fall Apart”. A popular Tv drama series originated from a novel by Chinua Achibe. His performance was so outstanding that he got the attention of several film Producers and Directors. Pete has starred in dozens of films that explore the dark world of occultism, and he has mastered the craft. He acts his roles so well that shows he has a deep understanding of occultism in Nigeria. The legendary “Lion of Africa” in most ritual movies has usually acted as the head of a coven, the godfather, and many other parts that relate with occultism. Pete is that unforgiving grandmaster who new members fear to offend him.

3. ALEX USIFO- THE EXPERT:

Alex Usifo Omiagbo is a Nigerian Actor, Tv Personality, and Entrepreneur who was born on 16^th April, 1953. This actor is best known for his role in the 1988 movie, “Ripples”. He began hustling for himself at a very young age unlike children of his age. He started off after his Secondary school working for five years as Operations Assistant at NTA (Nigerian Television Authority) Benin, which was best known as Midwest Television in those days. Alex officially joined the Nollywood industry in the year 1984 where he played a major role in the movie “The Return of the Native” produced by Ray Yusuf for NTA Ilorin. His bulging eyes and baritone voice were useful as they brought him into public notice. He marked his name in the Nollywood Industry for his villain roles and Ritualist roles. In most cases, he is usually part of the few with a broad experience in the game and always has a word of advice for the Upcoming Actors.

4. TONY UMEZ – THE FRIGHTENED RITUALIST:

Tony Umez is a Nigerian Actor, born on 23^rd August 1964 in Anambra State, Nigeria. He started acting in stage plays and dramas in his secondary school days. In the year 1993, he upgraded his acting skills and joined the Nollywood industry. As he began acting, he did not get a penny in his first two movies so it discouraged him and for some years he left. Few years later (1997), he resurfaced back and featured in the movie “The Princess” but he got popular through the movie “Died Wretched” which was released in the year 1998. The handsome actor always acts in movies where he was pressured to make money by whatever means and at the end, he finally succumbs to ritual money and satisfy his wife and family.  The funny thing is that, he is not always interested in making money through cults and it later on never end well for him.

5. CLEMS OHAMEZE- THE MONEY THIRSTY MAGA:

Clems Ohameze is a Nigerian actor with over two decades in the acting industry. Born on June 27^th 1965, is this ritualistic talented actor. He began his professional acting career in 1995 but his breakthrough role came in 1998 where he featured in a very popular and high-budget movie called “End Time”. He has acted over 500 Nollywood movies and has plans in featuring in many more movies in the years to come. At a point in his career, he stopped acting within 2006-2010 to focus on a political career but he abandoned the political journey due to allegations of threats to his life then he bounced back into acting. The veteran actor is always seen as a poor man in his most of his movies then he always has wealthy friends whom he begs them to show him how to make money. His friends will introduce him to the world of occultism and he joins without thinking and always ready to sacrifice anybody be it he thinks for a while and does it or he does it immediately.

6. KENNETH OKONKWO- THE LIVING IN BONDAGE HERO

Kenneth Okonkwo is a Nollywood actor, movie producer, director, politician and legal practitioner. He was born on 6^th November 1968 in Enugu state, Nigeria. He began his career by the year 1991.After several movie auditions, he got his opportunity to feature in his first big project, “Living in Bondage”, which brought him fame. Due to the role he acted in the movie “Living in Bondage”, by default any movie that had a ritualist role to play and he is to act in the movie, the ritualist role automatically belongs to him. The  movies in which he has featured  includes; Living in Bondage, Ripple, Dumebi, Silent King, World Apart, Helplessly in Love with My Wife, Royal Secret, Billionaires Club, The Power of Money, and Husband Material, amongst others.

These veteran actors have given a popular name to the Nollywood industry in terms of how well they have acted and also given occultism in Nollywood an important place. Without them, a ritualistic movie won’t have that ritual vibe. They are the talk of the town when it concerns ritualistic movies.

Delia Nyadi