Nollywood Actors on iROKOtv

• Mercy Johnson 290

  Nollywood actress Mercy Johnson Ozioma (which means a girl with good luck in her dialect) hails from Okene (known as the Igbiras) in Kogi State. She is the fourth child in a family of seven. At the age of two, she left her mum and went to live with her father (an ex-military officer) who was constantly being transferred from one station to another as a military man.

  Mercy came back to Lagos after her secondary school education, Mto study for a degree and became hooked on Nigerian movies. She watched Genevieve Nnaji in the movie titled Sharon Stone and decided tht she wanted to become a Nollywood actress. In 2001 she approached a dear friend for assistance to feature in a movie, but was unsuccessful in securing a role despite a year of constantly frequenting the National Theatre.

  Mercy's first starring role was in 2002 in a movie titled 'The Maid' by Kenneth Nnebue. She played the lead role and has been on a meteoric rice ever since featuring in hundreds of African movies.

  Mercy Johnson got married on the 27th of August, 2011 to Prince Odianosen Okojie.

• Tonto Dikeh 244

  Hails from Ikwere in Rivers State. She was born on the 9th of June, 1985 into a family of seven. She lost her mother at a tender age of three but her step mother was there to fill the vacuum. Her primary and secondary education were both completed in Port Harcourt. She is a graduate of Petro-Chemical Engineering form the University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

  Her journey to Nollywood started in 2005, when she left a TV reality show "The Next Movie Star" as the first runner up. After her second movie titled "Holy Cross", Tonto gained recognition and started taking up lead roles in movies.

  The beautiful actress has since become unstoppable as she featured in more than 60 movies.

• Mr Ibu 137

  John Okafor a.k.a Mr. Ibu was born on 17 October 1960 into a humble family in Ankanu Local Government Area of Enugu State. He attended Community Central School, Eziokpo. He is married with kids and he grew up under the guidance of his grandfather, who was his source of inspiration.

  Mr Ibu, is unquestionably one of Nigerias most talented comic characters in the movie industry. Okafor in recent times is best known for his humorous acting which is often characterized by stupidity, hilarious imbecility and a sharp disconnection from reality.

• John Dumelo 122

  John Dumelo, born and bred in Ghana, had his primary education at Christ the King International School in Accra, Ghana, where he was selected by GAMA Film Company to play the role as a pupil in the movie Baby Thief. He had his secondary education at Achimota School and further studied at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology where he read Civil Engineering.

  He has since featured in television series such as, Sun City and About To Wed, he is fast becoming an household name in the film industry featuring in a first movie titled The King is Mine, where he played the role of a King in 2008.

• Ini Edo 291

  Ini Edo is the second child in a family of four children. She hails from Akwa Ibom State. Born on April 19, 1982. She is a graduate of Theatre Arts (Diploma) and English Language from the University of Uyo and University of Calabar respectively.

  Ini began acting in 2000 and was launched into African movies in 2003, featuring in 'Thick Madam.' Her breaking role was in 2004 where she starred in a movie titled 'World Apart.'

  Ini Edo is a GLO Ambassador, Globacom being one of the leading telecommunication brands in Nigeria. She is happily married to Phillip Ehiagwina and heavily involved in charity works.

• Mama G. 418

  Popularly known as Mama G, Patience Ozokwor hails from Amaobo in Ngwo, Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State. Her first ever performance was when she attended Teachers Training College, where she played the role of Hamlet in William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet.

  After receiving her teaching degree she taught for 4 years, but seeking something more than teaching, she left teaching to go into broadcasting where she was a radio announcer and newscaster working at the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) Enugu station until it closed down. From here Ozokwor went on to another broadcasting facility where she began to do radio dramas and excelled.

  Mama G joined the movie industry and did her first movie Ukwa in 1995. By 1999, she had become hugely popular with the movie Authority. Since then, she has featured in over 200 movies. So successful was her role as Mother General, Mama G, in Old School that the public began to referring to her as Mama G and thus gave birth to her stage name.

  Patience Ozokwor is a widow and has four children, three biological and one adopted. Her first son is an engineer while the last is a footballer with Rangers International of Enugu.

• Rita Dominic 124

  Rita Uchenna Nkem Dominic Waturuocha who hails from Aborh Mbaise Local Government Area in Imo State was born 12 July, 1975 into a Royal family. She is the fourth in a family of four. Her late parents were medical practitioners; her father was a medical doctor and her mother a nursing officer. Rita completed her primary and secondary education in Abia State. She is a graduate of Theatre Arts from the University of Port Harcourt , Rivers State.

  This beautiful light skinned screen goddess started performing since her childhood in school plays and children television shows in Imo State. She starred in her first movie titled "A Time To Kill" in 1998. She has featured in over 100movies. In 2004, she won the City People Awards as the Most Outstanding Actress.

• Oge Okoye 209

  Oge, native of Nnewi in Anambra State was born in London to the Late Mazi Okoye and Lolo Okoye. She had her early education partly in London before relocating to Nigeria and continued at the University Primary School Enugu. She attended Holy Rosary College, Enugu. She is a graduate of Theatre Arts from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.

  The light complexioned beautiful actress started acting in her first year in the university. Though she played a supporting role in her first movie "One Dollar", she drew attention to herself with her smooth interpretation and showed a lot of promise. "Sister Mary", her most tasking movie brought her to limelight. She has starred in over 70 movies.

  She is married with two children.

• Mike Ezuruonye 256

  Michael Ezuruonye was born in Lagos. He is the eldest son of four siblings. The light skinned actor attended Federal Government College Wukari, Taraba State (former Gongola State) and Archbishop Aggey Memorial Secondary School, Lagos State. He proceeded to Federal Polytechnic Oko then to Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (both in Anambra State) where he studied Accounting.

  Mike showed keen interest in the world of television form his primary school days. He worked behind the camera writing scripts on clapper board television. His first movie was titled "Broken Marriage". He became a household name with the movie "Critical Decision" which was not only a huge commercial success but also revealed his talent home and abroad. Though he started his professional career in December 2003, now he has over 80 movies to his credit.

  He got married in November 2010 to his wife Nkechi Nnorom who is a medical-psychologist based in Canada.

• Jim Iyke 197

  Jim Iyke (James Ikechukwu Esomugha) was born in Gabon Libreville, He hails from Anambra sate, Enugu Agidi Village. He has seven siblings and he happens to be the only son among his father's children. He is a graduate from the University of Jos with a degree in Philosophy. He is an artist with great style and he is also a musician.

  Jim Iyke started his acting career in the year 2001 and has featured in over 200 Nollywood Movies. In the year 2008 he was crowned the Sexiest Man in Nigeria and won the Best Actor at the Nigerian Entertainment award. He has a reality TV Show called "Jewel for Jim" and also runs a Welfare Organization involved in advancing the protection and rights of children with Physical disabilities and deformities.

• Majid Michel 58

  Majid also known as Shaker was born 22nd September 1980 in Cantonments; a suburb Accra in Ghana to a Lebanese father Michel Eracow and a Ghanaian mother Paulina Olympio. He was raised along with his nine siblings. He attended St. Theresa primary school and Mfantsipim secondary school. In secondary school, Majid was actively involved in theater and was a member of the school's Drama Club; he received a Best Actor Award in one of their performances on Emancipation Day in Cape Coast, Ghana. Afterwards, he enrolled in the Academy of Screen Arts which is affiliated with Ashesi University.

  He was invited by a director of a modelling agency cum producer to participate in a TV series titled "Things We Do For Love". He got the name Shaker from that set. This TV series marked the beginning of his success in the movie industry. His first movie titled "Divine Love" also shot him up the ladder of success and made him a household name in Ghana.

  Majid who has featured in over 20 movies is married to Virna and they are blessed wit two lovely daughters; Keira and Zara.

• Muna Obiekwe 162

  This Enugu based actor has definitely become big. He plays both good and bad guys roles brilliantly.

• Osuofia . 122

  Nkem Owoh, popularly known as Osuofia was born in Udi, Enugu State. He had primary and secondary education in Nsukka, Enugu State. He studied both at the University of Ilorin and Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu. He is a graduate of Electrical Engineering.

  He started acting when he was in primary school.He was to the University of Nigeria Theatre Group for a performance while in secondary school. After his National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) in Ogun State, he got a job with WACO Engineering. He got laid off a year later during the era of belt-tightening policy by the Federal Government. Osuofia, whose father wanted him to be a Medical Doctor got another job to as part of a television production. He worked with the National Television Authority (NTA), Enugu. Osuofia was part of the New Masquerade (a comedy TV series in the 80?s) crew. he was the production manager for Ken Saro-Wiwas soap -Bassey and Company. The show came to a halt in 1990 and Osuofia relocated to Lagos where he did a lot of script writing before joining Nollywood.

  Besides acting, he has a production outfit, a film school. He also anchors occasions as the MC. Osuofia also has a musical album. He is married with kids.

• Nonso Diobi 173

  He was born on 17th July in Enugu. He is the last born of five children. He started his own mini business of selling clothes at a tender age in his high school. At 15, his parents exposed him to explore his God given talents by doing stage plays at his local church. He later became one of the best in his church drama group.

  In 2001, he joined Nollywood and his first movie was "Border Line". Not quite long after "Border Line", he featured in "Hatred"-the movie that brought him to limelight. Nonso has featured in over 60 movies.

• Chinedu Ikedieze 99

  Chinedu Ikedieze, a graduate of Mass Communication from the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) was born on the 12 December 1977. He hails from Iluoma Nzeakoli in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria.

  Being a member of the Art and Dramatic Society during his Secondary education, Chinedu Ikedieze developed the interest in becoming an actor in the Nollywood Industry. In 1998, he got a first role in the movie titled Evil Men. He had a major break in the year 2000 in the movie titled The Last Burial and has since been seen in most movies playing alongside Osita Iheme such as in the movie, Aki na Ukwa, which brought him to limelight. They are both fondly called Aki and Paw Paw, Chinedu and Osita respectively.

  In 2007 Ikedieze received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the AMMA Awards.

• Genevieve . N 123

  Hails from Mbaise in Imo state was born on the 3rd of May 1979. The fourth of eight children, she was brought up in a middle class environment. Her father worked as an engineer and her mother as a teacher. She attended the Methodist Girls College Yaba and graduated from the University of Lagos.
  She first appeared on screen in the early 90s in a popular soap opera back then known as Ripples at an early age of 8. She joined the movie industry at the 19 and starred in Most Wanted where she played the role of a news reporter. Gradually she rose in the movie industry from playing minor roles to the lead role.
  In 2004 she signed a recording contract with EKB Records, a Ghanaian record label, and released her debut album. Also in 2004, she was the Face of Lux in Nigeria. In 2010, she was appointed the official Face of Mud in Nigeria. She also starred in the award winning movie, Ije.
  She has received several awards and nominations for her works. She is the first Nigerian guest to appear on The Oprah Winfrey Show.
  She has featured in over 100 movies and is currently one of the highest paid Nigerian actress.

• Osita Iheme 121

  Osita Iheme (aka Paw Paw) was born in Mbatoila Imo State, Nigeria in 1982 into a family of five children. After completing his Primary and Secondary Education in Abia State, he enrolled into Enugu State University and studied Mass Communication.

  His first movie titled Cold War was in 2001. However, his first lead role was in Aki na Ukwa; this movie also brought him to limelight.

  He played the role of a child in many of his films but later adopted more mature roles. Osita has evolved in his career from just a comedic actor to a multifaceted established actor. This has gained him respect throughout the Nigerian movie industry. He has featured in over 80 movies.

• Frank Artus 121

  Frank Artus Gregory has featured in a number of African blockbuster films like who loves me and Chelsea, but few know that this talented Actor is a Liberian, who struggled for years, before making it big on the silver screen all across Africa. He is making waves in the Ghanaian movie industry with Venus Productions, He had a Human Resources Management degree from AME University in Monrovia and decided to pursue his passion for acting. He started out doing a lot of minor roles, but then he decided he wanted to do something on his own. His first film Juetey (Childrens Business), a film he both directed and starred in, was also his first big attempt at doing screenwriting.
  By 2008, Juetey had won 3 movie awards including Best Writer, Best Supporting Actor and Movie of the Year.

• Jackie Appiah 98

  Jackie was born on the 5th of December, 1983 in Canada. She started her schooling in Toronto, Canada. At the age of ten, she moved backed to Ghana with her family and went to Faith Montessori. From there, she proceeded to Alvard College to study General Acting.

  She started acting at the age of twelve and was a runner up at the Talent Teens Competition in her Local church group. Professionally, she started acting in 2001 in the TV series "Things We Do for Love".

  This beautiful actress has won numerous awards, including a prestigious Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) for best supporting actress.

  Jackie is married to Peter Agyemang and has a son.

• Omotola J. 86

  Omotola popularly known as "Omosexy" was born in a family of five to Mr. & Mrs. Shola Jalade (both late) and two brothers, Tayo and Bolaji Jalade. She attended Christland Nursery School Opebi and Oxford Children School, Santos Layout; both in Lagos. She proceeded to Kaduna for her Secondary Education at Command Secondary School . She is currently undertaking a Higher National Diploma (HND) course in Estate Management at Yaba College of Technology, Lagos.

  She joined the movie industry in 1995 and was first featured in the movie "Venom of Justice". However, "Mortal Inheritance", also in 1995 shot her to stardom. Besides acting, she also sings and has released two albums. She features as a writer for the Saturday SUN (Omotola's Diary) and occasionally gets involved in Social Services for women and charity homes. Omotola Jalade Ekehinde is a beautiful award winning actress known for her craft all around Africa. This screen goddess within the space of 10 years, has been able to play major roles in numerous movies. Omotola radiates the aura of a real star. The A-list actress has won several local and international awards.

  She got married to Capt. Matthew Ekeinde at the Ikeja registry on the 23rd, March 1996, and had a beautiful white wedding on board a DASH 7 Aircraft flying from Lagos to Benin, on the 19th April, 2001. They are blessed with four children; two sons and two daughters.

• Mary Remmy 85

  This beautiful light skinned screen diva grew up in Mile 2 Estate, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos. She attended Amuwo Odofin High School, Mile 2, Lagos and Navy Town Secondary School, Lagos. She has a diploma in Computer Science.

  Mary, who had a passion for acting from her childhood joined the Nollywood industry at the age of 18 shortly after she completed her secondary school education. In her first movie titled "Home Sickness", she acted alongside Chioma Chukwuka while her most challenging movie was "Golden Jewel". This talented young actress who won the Africa Youth Society Role Model Award has indeed rapidly climbed the ladder of success. She became a house hold name after she featured as Keisha in "Blackberry Babes" and has remained unstoppable since then.

• Van Vicker 166

  Joseph Fhiphi Van Vicker was born to a Liberian Ghanaian mother and a Dutch father on August 1, 1977. He lost his father at the age of six. Due to the early death of his father, Vicker is very close to his mother and considers her his hero.

  Vicker attended Mfantsipim School, along with fellow actor Majid Michel. Mfantsipim School is the alma mater of Former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan.

  He made his first onscreen appearance in the TV series Sun City, in which he was cast as LeRoy King, Jr. Vickers first movie was Divine Love where he played a supporting role, however, it was his role as male romantic lead in the movie Beyonc that instantly established him as a star actor. Vicker has starred in over twenty movies so far.

  Vicker is a multi award winner these include a GMA for best male actor 2006, Best Male Actor, 2007 1st DJ Awards, Bronx, NY (honouree), Annual Movie Awards, NY (honouree) Best Male Actor and was nominated for Best Lead Actor and Best Upcoming Actor at the 2008 Africa Movie Academy Awards.

  In addition to acting, Vicker runs an advertising agency and event management company and unisex barber shop. Van has also set up a foundation, the Van Vicker Foundation which reaches out to up coming actors tap their talents and giving them a shot at achieving their dreams as actors/actresses.

  Vicker is married to Adjoa Vicker, they are blessed with three children, two daughters Jdyl and J-ian, and a son, Vj.