The Nigeria movie industry is indeed blessed with talented actors and actresses. A good numbers of these stars started developing interests in acting while watching their parents, so they went into acting fully to keep their parents legacy alive.
In the movie industry, there are some families that acting has become their first love and career, so they follow their dreams at all cost. These families are highly respected, and they are all good at what they do, and their names dominate the movie industry. City People Senior Showbiz Reporter, Biodun Alao, brings you names of those families.
The Afolayans reign started with their late father Adeyemi Afolayan, popularly known as “Ade Love”. During his time, he acted in lots of movies and also produced soundtracks for movies. He was one of the pioneers of movies in Nigeria. Many of his children also took after him and they are all exceptionally good in everything they do, from acting to movie production and directing. His first son, Kunle Afolayan is currently one of the best movie producers cum directors in Nigeria, producing blockbuster movies like “Phone Swap” Saworide” October 1, Figurine, and a host lots of others. His younger brothers Gabriel and Aremu Afolayan, are equally doing well in acting and movie productions. Also, their Aunt Lola Idije is one of the highly respected female veterans in the industry. She interprets every of her roles perfectly. Lastly, their elder sister Moji Afolayan, a veteran actress, who is married to popular veteran actor “Ojopagogo” has remained a role model to lots of younger actresses in the industry especially with the way she has been able to manage her marriage and acting career.
The Edochies has over time become one of the most highly respected and popular families in the industry. Starting with Pete Edochie; a living legend that made television drama popular in the ’90s with Chinua Achebe’s. “Things Fall Apart” where he acted “Okonkwo’ and since then, he has remained relevant in the industry, and people see him as a living legend in the industry. Two of his sons have equally stepped into his shoes and making him proud. Yul and Linc Edochie are actors, producers and directors, respectively, and their works in the industry often speaks for them.
The Kosokos is another family. Jide Kosoko has been a front liner in the movie industry, featuring in both English and Yoruba movies. He started making waves right from the 90s and for several years, he ruled the industry with his perfect acting skills. He is highly respected and loved both in the English and Yoruba movie industry. No wonder his children Sola Kosoko and Bidemi Kosoko took after him to feature in block busters movies.
The Adebayos are also doing well. Adebayo Salami, popularly known as Oga Bello, started acting at tender age of 11 with young concert party group. He later led Ojo Ladipo’s Theatre Group, which was later called Awada Kerikeri. This group has produced over 1000 movies stars and still counting. Also his kids Femi Adebayo, Sodiq Adebayo and lots of others are into movie production. The Adebayo family no doubt has the largest numbers of movie stars in the industry. They produce directors and also acts in the industry.
The Omobolanles is another big family. Sunday Omobolanle, popularly known as “Papiluwe”. His wife Peju Ogunmola and their son. Sunkanmi Omobolanle are all into movie production, and they are all doing well. Sunday Omobolanle is one of the foremost Yoruba comedians in the industry.
The Amatas, this family is highly respected in the movie industry. They are no doubt all successful movie makers with different awards home and abroad. From their eldest to the youngest, they are blessed with talents. Zack, Fred, and Jeta Amata are also part of people that gave Nigeria movie recognition abroad with their hard work and exceptional movies.
The Ejiro brothers is another big family. Zeb and Chico Ejiro can often be described as one of the founders of Nollywood in Nigeria. They started movie in Nigeria and made the likes of Genevieve Nnaji and lots of others as stars today. No decision can be taken in the movie industry without consulting the Ejiro brothers. They a extremely important.
The Egbusons also doing well. Dakore Egbuson Akande, rose to prominence in the early 2000s, when she started featuring in blockbuster movies.
She is presently one of the actresses with the highest endorsement with top big brands in Nigeria. Also her younger brother Timini Egbuson, is currently one of the most sought after actors in the movie industry, featuring in block buster movies.
The Eyiwunmis is another big family. The names of Murphy, Muka, Hassan, Mama and Baba Ray Eyiwunmi always ring a bell in the Yoruba movie industry. The late Eyinwunmi Ray, was a Pioneer of the Yoruba Theatre Industry before it transformed to home video. After his death, his children and wife took over and ever since, they have succeeded and kept the Eyiwunmis name relevant in the industry.
Ogunsolas are also doing well. Ishola Ogunsola popularly known as “Dr. I Sho Pepper” contributed a lot to Nigeria theatre and culture, he was one of the founding members of Association of National Theatre Arts Practitioners (ANTP) when it was established in 1976. The late Ogunsola married several wives, such as Mojisola Ogunsola a.k.a Iya Alakara, Funmilola Ogunsola a.k.a Ijewuru, Iyabode Ogunsola aka Efunsetan, Yetunde Ogunsola.
These ladies apart from one that died are still very active in the movie industry, as they dominate the industry and feature in Yoruba movies back to back.
Ogungbes are also doing well. Akin Ogungbe was a notable movies actor, filmmaker, producer and director. He started his acting career in a dancing Theatre troupe which he founded.
He married many women who were used as dancers and actresses. After his death his son Segun Ogungbe stepped into his shoes. He is currently one of the most sought after actors cum film makers in Ogun State. His wives are equally popular actresses in the industry.
Adekolas is another family. Odunlade Adekola, is one of the most sought after actors in the movie industry. He is very hardworking and this explains why big brands waits online to use him, as their brand ambassador. His younger brother, Oyekanmi Adekola is equally a talented and they both feature in movies back to back.
Asiegbus is another family doing well. Ejike Asiegbu is a Nollywood actor, film maker and director. He once served as President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria. He has featured and produced a lot of movies. This multi talented actor has involved his family members in his career, as his school, is currently in the industry and making his family proud.
Njamahs family. Empress Njamah and brother John Njamah are both highly talented film makers in the industry; they have both spent over three decades in the industry and still counting. Lots of people know the Njamahs is strong name in the industry and it always ring a bell.
Daniels is another family. Rita and Reginal Daniels are also popular names in the industry. Rita was appointed the chairwoman of the Delta State Actors Guild sometimes ago, and she has been very supportive of her daughter’s acting career.
Regina stormed the movie industry at a very young age but has become a brand with the help of her mother.
Kagbues family, Christopher and Sandra Okagbue are the children of the late Monarch Obi Ofala Okagbue, who was succeeded by the current Obi of Onitsha Kingdom, Igbwe Nnameka Achebe after his death in the year 2001. They are both talented actors in the industry and has featured in lots of movies. Hardly will you see blockbuster movie that won’t feature Chris in the movie.
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