Greatest Nollywood Actors of All Time – Our Top Picks

Nollywood, Nigeria’s film industry, has been making waves across the globe. Perhaps not only because of the speed of its growth, but also because of the talent of its actors. In this article, we look at a couple of the greatest Nollywood actors of all time – in no particular order of preference, of course!

Van Vicker

Joseph van Vicker (born 1 August 1977), is a Ghanaian actor. His father died when he was six years old, and as a result, he is very close to his mother and considers her his hero.

Vicker attended Mfantsipim School (as did former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan). Not only is he one of the most talented actors to grace Nollywood, but he has also directed, starred in, and produced five films under his sky + Orange Productions since 2008; receiving various nominations and awards.

He proves his entrepreneurship with the Van Vicker Training, where students are trained in the field in acting by professionals, and also runs the Van Vicker Foundation – an outreach program for the youth.

Vicker is married to Adjoa Vicker and they have three children.

Nonso Diobi

Nonso Diobi, (born 17 June 1976) is a Nigerian actor and film director.

While studying Theatre Art at the University of Nigeria, he made his debut on-screen appearance in a 2001 film titled “Border Line”. He has starred in over 150 films.

He is the founder and chairman of Goldentape media, a leading film/TV production company in Africa. He is a UN peace ambassador as well as an ambassador for Teachers Without Borders.

He has been linked to many relationships. There have even been rumors of a wedding; however, they have proven to be untrue. He himself has declared that he remains single but hopes to get married and start a family soon. Ladies, anyone interested?

Desmond Elliot

Desmond Elliot (born 4 February 1974) is a Nigerian actor, director, and politician. He was born to a Yoruba father by a mother from Illah, and therefore describes himself as Pan-African.

Elliot studied economics at Lagos State University and graduated in 2003. A creative actor, he has starred in more than 200 films and a number of television shows and soap operas, winning best supporting actor in a drama at the 2^nd Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.

A man of many talents, he was elected as a lawmaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Surulere Constituency, in the 11 April 2015 Nigerian General Elections. He is involved in public relations for Globacom.

Elliot is married to Victoria, and they celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary on December 26th, 2018. They have four children.

Mike Ezuruonye

Mike Ezuruonye was born on 20 September 1982 in Lagos.

He studied Accounting at Nnamdi Azikiwe University and worked as a banker prior to becoming an actor. He is celebrated as one of the finest Nigerian actors, directors, and filmmakers, receiving two nominations for Best Actor in a Supporting Role and Best Actor in a Leading Role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2008, 2009 and a nomination for Best actor in Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards.

He is married to Nkechi Nnorom and they have a son.

Ramsey Nouah

Ramsey Nouahm is a Nigerian actor, born on 19 December 1970 to an Israeli father and a Yoruba mother.

He obtained a diploma in mass communications at the University of Lagos. At 20, he was starting out as an aspiring musician prior to heeding a friend’s advice to take a stab on acting. He never looked back, and won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in 2010 for his role in “The Figurine”.

Admirers of his acting talent will be sad to learn that he has recently announced that he planned to exit acting. The good news is that he still wants to be involved in the background as a director. He also wants to be more involved in humanitarian services.

Nouah is married to Emelia Philips-Nouah. The couple has two sons and a daughter.

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