The Nigerian movie industry has lost quite a few talents in recent times, but these late Nollywood actors left a lasting impression that’ll keep their memories alive.
Nollywood actors who have died in the last few years
Murphy Afolabi
Source: Instagram/@murphyafolabi20
He passed away on May 14, 2023, just a few days after celebrating his 49th birthday, but the actor was a force to reckon with in the Yoruba faction of Nollywood, having featured in over 100 movie productions. Some of his notable works include Olokiki Oru, Wasila Coded Reloaded and One Blood.
Source: Instagram/@theofficialsaintobi
Before his demise, the veteran film star who rocked the late 90s and early 2000s kept a low profile, with fans pining to have him on their screens again. Unfortunately, Saint Obi bade the world goodbye on May 7, 2023, after battling an undisclosed illness. He starred in over 60 Nollywood movies and produced his first movie, Take Me to Maama, in 2001. Some of his notable works include State of Emergency, Final Whistle and Sakobi the Snake Girl.
Chief Ojo Arowosafe ( Fadeyi Oloro)
Source: Instagram/@fadeyioloro1
Popularly known as Fadeyi Oloro, the veteran Nollywood actor passed away on March 7, 2023, aged 66. His daughter, Fasunwon Oluwafunke, broke the news of the actor’s death following a protracted battle with a terminal disease. Fadeyi Oloro was loved by many for his iconic roles in Yoruba movies, as a traditional warlord or herbalist. Some of his notable works include Inubibi, Anike Olufa and Akoni Mefa.
Kunle Adetokunbo (Dejo Tunfulu)
Source: The Guardian
Dejo Tunfulu passed away, aged 49, in April 2022. He was loved by many for his funny and chaotic characters as the help or gateman in Yoruba movies. He was also a writer and movie producer, who worked on movies like Jide Jendo, Yemi My Lover and Booda Ode.
Gbenga Richards
Source: Instagram/@gbengarichards
Gbenga Richards died on May 12, 2022, after battling an unknown ailment. Richards was a leading Nollywood star who dazzled viewers with his performance during the 1990s and early 2000s. Some of his notable works include Sango, Mirror in the Sun and Super Story.
Sam Loco Efe
12 years after his demise, Sam Loco Efe still holds a place in the hearts of colleagues and fans because of his indelible work on setting the blueprint for comedy in Nollywood. He died in August 2011. According to reports, the actor was found dead in a hotel room in Owerri, Imo State, after what seemed like an asthma attack. Some of his notable works include Police Recruit, Daddy Must Obey and Tom & Jerry.
Ernest Asuzu
Ernest Asuzu is among the late Nollywood actors who ruled supreme during the late 1990s and early 2000s. The actor took an exit from the movie scenes in 2015 after he came down with a stroke that affected his speech. Asuzu passed away in January 2021 aged 37. Some of his notable works include Ogidan, Highway to The Grave and Formidable Force.
Karibi Fubara
He’s one of the late Nollywood actors whose death left fans and colleagues completely heartbroken because of how open he was about his battle with kidney cancer. Fubara died in December 2021, months after announcing he’d had a successful surgery to take out 90% of his tumour. Some of his notable works include God Calling, The Smart Money Woman and Ratnik.
Sadiq Daba
Source: BBC
Sadiq Daba was a veteran broadcaster and Nollywood thespian who died in March 2021 at the Ayinke General Hospital in Ikeja, after battling leukaemia and prostate cancer. Daba was loved by fans and colleagues, especially for his role as Inspector Waziri in Kunle Afolayan’s October 1, which earned him an AMAA for Best Actor. Some of his notable works include Citation, Eagle Wings and Seven.
Victor Olaotan
Best known for his role in the hit TV series, Tinsel, Victor Olaotan died in August 2021 aged 69. The actor had taken a break from the acting scene in 2016, following a life-altering car accident on his way to a movie set, that left him incapacitated. Some of his notable works include Lotanna, Three Wise Men and Alter Ego. He’s among the late Nollywood actors we won’t forget soon.
Pat Nebo
Photo source: The Punch
Not an actor, but Pat Nebo was one of the leading behind-the-scenes men in Nollywood. He was a renowned production designer and art director who worked on some of the biggest and successful movies in the industry.
Nebo passed away on September 14, 2023, after a prolonged battle with an undisclosed illness. Some of his notable works include Phone Swap, Citation and Being Mrs Elliot.
Yemi Lawrence Adeyemi
Photo source: New Telegraph
Best known for his role as Suara in Wale Adenuga Production’s Super Story series Oh Father, Oh Daughter, Yemi Lawrence Adeyemi passed away on September 24, 2023. The veteran actor’s son shared the sad news with fans who had not seen much of him since he featured in the popular 2001 TV series.
Tolani Quadri Oyebamiji
Photo source: Instagram/@iamsisiquadri
He passed away on March 1, 2024, aged 44. Popularly known by his fans as Sisi Quadri, the comic actor was a force in the Yoruba movie industry. Before his demise, he had crossed into skitmaking, collaborating with content creators like Isbae U, Bimbo Ademoye, Mr Macaroni and many more. Some of his notable works include Anikulapo: The Rise of The Spectre, Seranko Seniyan and Eran Iya Osogbo.
John Okafor
Photo source: Instagram/@realmribu
Popularly called Mr Ibu by fans, the legendary comic actor passed away on March 2, 2024, aged 62, after a two-year-long battle with his health.
In November, the actor lost a leg to amputation but fans and well-wishers had hoped he’d brace the storm and return to TV screens. Mr Ibu was renowned for his comedic roles in Nollywood and his jovial personality in real life. Some of his notable works include Mr Ibu, Police Recruit, Mr Ibu Goes to School and Nicodemus.
Deji Aderemi
Photo source: The Punch
Also known as Baba Olofa Ina, the veteran Nollywood actor died on January 4, 2024 aged 73. According to reports, the thespian died of cancer in his hometown of Ede, Osun state. Baba Olofa Ina was famous for taking on roles of traditional chiefs and ifa priests in Yoruba movies. He was among the respected veterans pulled in for Kunle Afolayan’s Netflix series: Anikulapo Rise of The Spectre. Some other notable works include Kabiyesi Olodumare, Ija Omode and Ewe Orun.
Nollywood actresses who have died in the last few years
Cynthia Okereke
The actress passed away in July 2023, a year after she was kidnapped while filming in Enugu. According to the chairman of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (Delta State Chapter), Emma Onyemeziem, she died after a brief illness. Okereke was known for taking on comic roles in movies alongside colleagues like Nkem Owoh. Some of her notable works include King Jaja of Opobo, Lion Finger and Second Chance.
Peace Anyiam-Osigwe
Although not an actress, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe was a leading woman in Nigerian cinema who was known for her stellar work with the prestigious Africa Movie Academy Award (AMAA). Osigwe was a filmmaker commonly referred to as the “queen of Nollywood films” because of how passionate she was about spreading the gospel of Nollywood. She died at St Nicholas Hospital (Lagos) on January 9, 2023, following a heart attack.
Favour Daniels
Source: Instagram/@favour_daniels
The fast-rising comic actress’ demise came as a shock to fans who had come to love her for her funny online skits. Daniels, who was also known as Omoge Amama, died in February 2023 aged 26. The young film star was involved in a boat accident that claimed her life.
Rachel Oniga
Source: Instagram/@rachelonigafoundation
Rachel Oniga was a strong force to reckon with in Nollywood, and her demise left a big gap that colleagues can only hope to fill. The veteran film star, 64, passed away in July 2021 from heart-related issues. Until her demise, Oniga was active in the industry and featured in big-budget productions like The Royal Hibiscus Hotel, A Naija Christmas and Chief Daddy.
Ada Ameh
Fans and lovers of the popular TV series, The Johnsons, had a hard time accepting the demise of Ada Ameh. The 48-year-old who’d been battling with her mental health since the demise of her daughter in 2020, passed away in July 2022. Until her death, Ameh was active in the movie scene and featured in projects like Phone Swap, Lockdown and Our Husband.
Sidikat Odukanwi
Source: Diamond Classic Photography
Known by fans and colleagues as Iyabo Oko, the veteran actress battled with her health for years before she died. Rumours of her death first surfaced in 2021 and 2022. However, her daughter finally confirmed her passing on Thursday, June 29, 2023. She is popular for her roles in Yoruba language movies like Okobo Dimeji, Idunnu Okan and Ayitale.
Moji Olaiya
The 42-year-old Yoruba movie star passed away in Canada in May 2017, barely two months after she welcomed a child. Olaiya’s death came as a shock to fans and colleagues who were waiting for her to make a grand return to the screen after her maternity leave. Olaiya was the daughter of legendary highlife maestro, Victor Olaiya, and some of her notable works include No Pain No Gain, Sade Blade and Omo Iya Meta Leyi.
Ify Onwuemene
Ify Onwuemene became a favourite for many Nigerians as the late Sam Loco Efe’s on-screen wife in the TV series, Everyday People. She passed on in May 2021 after battling endometrial cancer. Before her demise, Davido had donated a sum of ₦1m when she was raising funds for her treatment. Some of her notable works include Heaven’s Gate, Closet and I Need to Know.
Aishat Abimbola
Nollywood suffered another major loss when Aishat Abimbola passed on barely a year after her colleague, Moji Olaiya, died in Canada. The actress died aged 42 after battling breast cancer. Until her demise, Abimbola AKA Omoge Campus was a force to reckon with in the Yoruba faction of Nollywood. Some of her notable works include Odaju Obinrin, Omoge Campus and Eje Adegbenro.
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