The Nollywood stars that you swoon over today didn’t start out in the industry as recognisable faces that drag arses to the cinemas. Once upon a time, they looked like we did, unsure about their careers. From Genevieve Nnaji in Most Wanted, a movie about a gang of thieves, to Adesua Etomi-Wellington surviving abuse in Knocking on Heaven’s Door, we’ve rounded up 25 of your favourite Nollywood actors in their first movie roles.
1. Genevieve Nnaji – Most Wanted (1998)
Although she first appeared in the Zeb Ejiro series Ripples when she was eight, at 19, Genevieve made her movie debut as one of the lead characters in this action-packed thriller about an all-female gang.
2. Ramsey Nouah – Silent Night (1996)
Ramsey first made his acting debut in the TV soap opera Fortunes. But his portrayal of a lover boy in Silent Night was his movie debut.
3. Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde – Venom of Justice (1995)
Omotola’s movie debut was in the Reginald Ebere-directed film. It was also her first acting gig. She was 17 and played one of the lead roles.
4. Jim Iyke – $1: One Dollar (2001)
Jim Iyke’s first movie role was in the Gabriel Moses-directed drama. He plays a young IJGB who bamboozles an entire family into ignoring his excesses as he sought their daughter’s hand in marriage.
5. Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD) – Out of Bounds (1997)
RMD had already appeared in the shows Ripples and Checkmate, but his role as Pastor Voke in this film is his movie debut. It follows the married pastor as he becomes entangled in a scandalous affair with another woman, leading to a crisis of faith, morality, and personal redemption.
6. Patience Ozokwor – Authority (1999)
Ozokwor’s debut featured her in a commanding role that set the tone for her future in Nollywood as the stereotypical “wicked mother-in-law.”
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7. Nkem “Osuofia” Owoh – Circle of Doom (1993)
Before he found fame as Osuofia, he was in this Igbo language movie. He played a security officer who wields his power with impunity even as he tries to catch bad actors. Did you know he also worked on the subtitle for the original Living in Bondage?
8. Pete Edochie – Ikuku (1995)
After his iconic portrayal of Okonkwo in the NTA adaptation of Things Fall Apart, Pete Edochie starred in Ikuku, his first movie role. He played the king of the village who, in his own way, does what is best for his people. Zeb Ejiro directed the film.
9. Funke Akindele – Naked Wire (1997)
Funke Akindele first became famous as Bisi in the series I Need To Know. She was also featured in Super Story, but her movie debut was in Naked Wire. Sadly, there are barely any details of the film online.
10. Mercy Johnson – The Maid (2004)
This breakthrough film for Mercy Johnson launched her into Nollywood stardom. She played a young housemaid who gets entangled in dark supernatural forces while working for a rich family.
11. Ini Edo – Thick Madam (2003)
Though she found fame for World Apart, Ini Edo had been in some Nollywood movies in the early aughts. Her first role was in this movie.
12. Stephanie Linus – Compromise 2 (1997)
Stephanie Linus made her movie debut as one of the lead characters in this gripping drama, which showcased her emerging talent.
13. Omoni Oboli – Bitter Encounter (1996)
Omoni Oboli burst onto the Nollywood scene with her performance as a secretary in Bitter Encounter. She later found fame in Anchor Baby, a drama about immigration laws.
14. Chinedu “Aki” Ikedieze – Evil Men (1998)
Chinedu “Aki” Ikedieze’s first film role was in Evil Men, a movie about a group of men, including Pete Edochie and Zark Orji, who hold a community to ransom for their greed.
15. Osita “Paw Paw” Iheme – Okwu na Uka (2002)
Paw Paw’s debut role was in this farce, which also brought him notoriety. It showcased his unique talents and comedic timing.
16. Kenneth Okonkwo – Living in Bondage (1992)
Okonkwo’s performance in this film is credited with launching the modern Nollywood era. He played a young man who turned to blood money after facing financial struggles.
17. Zubby Michael – Missing Rib (2006)
Though Zubby Michael was famous for his role in The Three Widows, his movie debut was in this film with Ramsey Nouah, where he played a background role.
18. Uche Jombo – Visa to Hell (1999)
Uche Jombo made her Nollywood debut in Visa to Hell, marking the beginning of her prolific career in the Nigerian film industry.
19. Adesua Etomi-Wellington – Knocking on Heaven’s Door (2014)
Adesua Etomi-Wellington’s debut performance in this film earned her critical acclaim and audience admiration. She played Debbie, a talented gospel singer married to Moses, portrayed by Blossom Chukwujekwu. Their seemingly perfect marriage conceals a troubling reality of physical and emotional abuse that Debbie endures from Moses.
20. Dakore Egbuson-Akande – Silent Tears (1999)
Dakore Egbuson-Akande made her debut in this movie, which highlighted her emotional range and acting skills. She later became famous for her role in A Piece of Flesh opposite Genevieve Nnaji.
21. Uzor Arukwe – Unspoken Truth (2014)
Though he had been a theatre actor for years, Uzor Arukwe made his movie debut in this movie opposite Ruth Kadiri. It follows Martins, played by Arukwe and his wife, on their journey to having a child.
22. Kate Henshaw – When the Sun Sets (1993)
Kate Henshaw made her movie debut in the film opposite Bob Manuel. She plays Omono, a naïve village girl who falls in love with a deceitful man.
23. Eucharia Anunobi – Glamour Girls (1994)
Eucharia Anunobi’s performance in this classic film helped launch her almost three-decade career in Nollywood. She plays Anita, one of several women entangled in the high society and escort services of Lagos.
24. Timini Egbuson – Fifty (2015)
Timini Egbuson rose to fame for his performance in MTV Shuga, but his first movie role came later, in 2015, as Jamal in Fifty.
25. Blossom Chukwujekwu – Private Storm (2010)
Blossom’s debut in this film introduced him to Nollywood audiences. He plays Tony, a background character in this movie, about a couple whose seemingly perfect relationship is marred by the man’s controlling and abusive behaviour.
