Showbiz

10 biggest actors of 2018 

 

Nollywood is a multi-million naira industry and definitely one of the biggest in Africa and the third largest in the world. Some talented actors have found fame and fortune through the Nigerian movie industry. Nollywood has given birth to some great movie actors and actresses over the years, starring in block buster movies in comedies, dramas, horror categories and more. Over the years we’ve seen a lot of actors on screen do what they know how to do best and these thespians are elevating the industry both home and abroad. These people did not just make it to the list of top Nollywood actors; they paid the price for success. Below  are artistes who have put their stamp on the map, created magic on our screens that keep us continually spellbound

Rita Uchenna Nkem Dominic Nwaturuocha: popularly known as Rita Dominic is an awarding winning actress who has been in the industry for over 18 years now. She’s one of the most respected stars in Nollywood. She’s just an extraordinary actress making huge progress over the years with her level of professionalism. She started her career in late 1990s and has featured in more than 180 movies. She has won numerous awards so far, including AMVCA in 2014 and also best actress in AMVCA 2017. ‘The meeting’, one of her movies produced in 2014 won so many awards and contributed so much to the growth of her career.

Richard Mofe Damijo: popularly known as RMD is an actor and former Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Delta State. RMD started his acting career after graduating from university, taking part in a television soap opera in the late 80’s called ‘Ripples’. Over the years he has starred in over 40 movies including, ‘Critical Assignment’, ’10 Days in Sun City’ and ‘Wedding Party 1 and 2′. Since 2009, he has received a couple of nominations and awards including receiving the Special Recognition Award at the 2012 best of Nollywood Awards and getting nominated in the category of Best Supporting Actor at the 2015 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards. He also won the New Telegraph Newspapers’ Award for Best Actor in 2017.

Genevieve Nnaji: is an actress, producer and director. She started her acting career at the age of eight and has not backed down since then. In 2001, she became the first actress to be awarded Best Actress at the City Peoples Awards and also the first to be awarded Best Actress by the Censors Board of Nigeria in 2003. In 2009, Oprah Winfrey referred to her as the ‘Julia Roberts of Africa’. She has starred in over 80 Nollywood movies. This year, her movie ‘Lion Heart’ became the first original Nigerian film to be streamed on Netflix. Some of the movies that Genevieve has starred in include, ‘Road To Yesterday’, ‘Weekend Getaway’, ‘The Mirror Boy’ just to mention a few. In 2008, she launched a clothing line ‘St. Genevieve’ which donates its proceeds to charity.

Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde: Since her Nollywood debut, the actress has appeared in 300 films. Omotala Jalade Ekeinde is an actress, philanthropist and former model. Omotola was one of the pioneers of the video film era of Nigerian cinema, becoming the most watched actress in Africa. In 2013, she was honoured in Time Magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world alongside Michelle Obama, Beyonce and Kate Middleton. Also in 2013, she made her US television debut in VH1’s scripted series, ‘Hit The Floor’. She has starred in ‘Venom of Justice’, ‘Moral Inheritance’, ‘The Island’ and so many more. She has received several accolades over the years, in 2012, she won Actress of the Year at the Eloy Awards, Best Actress at the Toronto Nollywood Film Festival in 2017, just to mention a few. The screen goddess won best actress AMVCA 2018 in a drama series, in her own produced flick ‘Alter Ego’.

Ramsey Nouah: Ramsey is a 47-year-old celebrity who has featured in many popular soap operas and Nollywood movies. Ramsey Nouah was awarded the ‘best actor’ for ‘The Figurine’ by Africa Movie Academy 8 years ago; he is an idol for many housewives because Ramsey often plays lead roles in romantic movies. The handsome actor is regarded as ‘Nollywood Lover Boy’. You can watch him act in latest Nollywood movies such as ‘Tempting Fate,’ ’76’ and ’30 Days in Atlanta,’ to name a few. Ramsey is married with children. Ramsey Nouah started acting since 1993 and has made money and fame for himself over the years.

Akindele Olufunke Ayotunde: Funke entered the limelight after starring in the popular United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)-sponsored sitcom, ‘I Need to Know’, which ran from 1998 to 2002. Funke Akindele’s big break came in 2009 when she appeared in the movie Jenifa. Funke Akindele, popularly called Jenifa, plays the lead character in the ongoing hit TV show, ‘Jenifa’s Diary’.
The show is a spin-off from her hit movie titled, ‘Jenifa’. Funke has lots of endorsements from various top brands like Globacom, Omo and Iroko TV. Currently she runs a foundation called Jenifa Foundation, which nurtures upcoming actors in Nollywood. In 2009, she won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Funke has over 100 movies to her credit as actress, writer and producer.

Odunlade Adekola: is a popular Yoruba actor, filmmaker, producer and director and has featured in so many Yoruba hit movies. Odunlade has produced and directed many movies. He recently completed his multi millionaire naira hotel in Ogun State and is also a Glo ambassador. Adekola has featured in more than 100 Yoruba movies. Due to his popularity and impact in the film industry, photographs of Odunlade during filming are widely used as internet memes. Adekola Odunlade won AMVCA 2018 Best Actor in the comedy ‘A Million Baby’.

Olu Jacobs and Joke Silva: This power couple has been in the industry for decades and they keep evolving every time. They have featured in Nollywood big budget movies over time that we have lost count. They are a force to reckon with in the industry and they have been able to transcend time and still blend with the new Nollywood made of young people they have trained over the years.

Omoni Oboli: is an actress, scriptwriter, film director, producer and a trained digital filmmaker. She studied at the New York Film Academy, and has written several screenplays such as; ‘Fatal Imagination’, ‘Being Mrs. Elliott’, ‘The First Lady’ and ‘Wives on Strike’.
Omoni has played lead roles in mainstream films, including: ‘The Figurine’, ‘Anchor Baby’, ‘Being Mrs. Elliot’, and ‘Fifty’. She is also the first actress from Nollywood to win Best Actress in two international festivals, (that are not organised by Nigerians or Africans) in the same year (2010). This she did at the Harlem International Film Festival and the Los Angeles Movie Awards for her lead role in the movie ‘Anchor Baby’.

Nse Ikpe-Etim: actress and scriptwriter came in to prominence in 2008 for her role in ‘Reloaded’. Having starred in over 20 movies, including ‘Black November’, The Visit’ and ‘Fifty’ the actress has refused to back down. Nse was nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role at the 5th and 8th Africa Movie Academy Awards for her role in ‘Reloaded’ and ‘Mr. and Mrs.’ respectively. She also received the award for Best Actress at the 2015 Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards among others.

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