When it comes to poise, experience, range, delivery, relevance, and sheer longevity, Richard Mofe-Damijo — or RMD, as he’s fondly known — isn’t just a Nollywood legend; he’s the blueprint. For over three decades, he’s brought charisma and depth to roles that have helped shape the industry.
This isn’t a sermon on RMD’s greatness (even though he deserves one). But when a man has consistently delivered standout performances — from smooth-talking lover boys to emotionally layered fathers and cold-blooded moguls — you have to give him his flowers.
So, in honour of a career that continues to inspire, here are RMD’s 10 best Nollywood performances — proof that when it comes to acting chops, he’s in a league of his own.
10. Out of Bounds (1997)
Runtime: 1h 58m
Director: Tade Ogidan
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
RMD plays Pastor Voke, a rising man of God whose growing success forces him to confront temptation head-on. It’s one of his earlier roles, but even then, you can see the foundation of the screen presence he’s known for today — calm, controlled, and quietly intense.
This film makes the list not just for its nostalgic value, but because it showed RMD’s ability to carry a morally complex character with nuance, at a time when Nollywood was known for its moral policing.
Watch Out of Bounds on YouTube.
9. The Wedding Party 1 (2016)
Runtime: 1h 50m
Director: Kemi Adetiba
Genre: Romance
In this glitzy rom-com about the chaotic union of the Cokers and the Onwukas, RMD plays Chief Onwuka, the groom’s elegant, no-nonsense father. While his screen time is limited, he makes every second count — embodying the quiet authority and cultural pride of an Igbo patriarch with effortless charm.
It earns its spot on this list not for dramatic weight, but for how RMD proves that even in a supporting role, his presence can elevate a scene. It’s a great example of how sometimes, less is more when you have his kind of gravitas.
Watch The Wedding Party 1 on MUBI.
8. Conversation in Transit (2025)
Runtime: 1h 47m
Director: Robert Peters
Genre: Drama
Set almost entirely on a train, this intimate drama follows the unravelling of a marriage in real-time. RMD plays Lekan, a charming yet deeply flawed man whose secrets catch up with him when his wife, Adeola (Osas Ighodaro), confronts him mid-journey.
What sets this performance apart is how RMD strips away the polish we often associate with his roles. His portrayal of Lekan is raw, uncomfortable, and emotionally exposed. It’s a performance that reminds us he’s not just a leading man — he’s also unafraid to be unlikeable when the story demands it.
Watch Conversation in Transit on CircuitTV.
7. Palava! (2022)
Runtime: 1h 47m
Director: Niyi Akinmolayan
Genre: Comedy
RMD plays Osa-Wonder, a washed-up Highlife star thrust back into the spotlight after one of his old songs goes viral. Fame brings chaos, as old flames, hidden secrets, and unresolved issues with his daughters come crashing into his newly revived life.
This role shows RMD flexing his comedic timing while still holding space for emotional depth. His portrayal of a lovable, clueless, and occasionally selfish father makes the character memorable without veering into caricature. It earns this spot because it proves RMD doesn’t always have to be stoic or intense — he can be lighthearted and chaotic too, and still deliver a standout performance.
6. Three Wise Men (2016)
Runtime: 1h 33m
Director: Patience Oghre Imobhio
Genre: Comedy
RMD plays Irikele, a flashy, retired civil servant and three-time divorcee determined to enjoy his second youth. With his pension in hand and no wife to answer to, he dives into a lifestyle of fast cars, younger women, and social media clout — dragging his two more conservative, married friends along for the ride.
This role stands out because it’s RMD like we rarely see him: outrageous, unserious, and fully leaning into midlife chaos. He balances the absurdity of the character with charm, never turning Irikele into a punchline, but rather a man navigating aging on his own terms. It’s a performance that proves RMD’s comedic chops are just as sharp as his dramatic ones.
Watch Three Wise Men on YouTube.
5. 4:4:44 (2022)
Runtime: 1h 51m
Director: Izu Ojukwu
Genre: Drama
In 4:4:44, RMD plays Hilary, a man caught between love and duty. He’s married to Theresa (Nse Ikpe-Etim), a woman he has loved for years. Their relationship is strong, until mental illness disrupts their once-harmonious life. Hilary, a respected figure in the community, is forced to make the heartbreaking decision to confine his wife for her own safety and that of their children.
This film brings to the forefront the often-overlooked burden of loving someone with a mental illness, and RMD delivers a performance that is both tender and heartbreaking. With its use of time shifts and a deep dive into love’s painful side, 4:4:44 offers a unique perspective on mental health within relationships.
4. Fine Wine (2021)
Runtime: 2h 15m
Director: Seyi Babatope
Genre: Romance
RMD takes on the role of George, a wealthy divorcé who unexpectedly falls for a much younger woman (Ego Nwosu) already in a relationship. What follows is a whirlwind romance laced with judgment, awkward family moments, and the ever-present tension of their generational gap.
This performance stands out because RMD balances charm and vulnerability so well. As George, he’s suave without being sleazy, and mature without being boring — proving that older men can still carry a romantic lead with depth and grace. His on-screen chemistry and emotional nuance help elevate what could’ve been a basic romance into something thoughtful.
If you love romantic dramas that challenge societal norms, Fine Wine delivers.
3. Diamond Ring [Part 1 & 2] (1998)
Runtime: 3h 5m
Director: Tade Ogidan
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
In Diamond Ring, RMD plays Chief Dike, a successful politician and emotionally distant father who’s forced to reckon with the consequences of his absence when his son joins a secret cult and steals a cursed ring.
RMD plays a man who has power in the public eye but is powerless at home — a contrast he delivers with layered restraint. His transformation from a hands-off father to one desperate to save his child shows a raw emotional range. It’s a compelling moral tale about parenting, peer pressure, and the supernatural, and RMD grounds it with his steady presence.
Watch Diamond Ring Part 1 on YouTube.
Watch Diamond Ring Part 2 on YouTube.
2. Oloibiri (Blood & Oil) (2015)
Runtime: 1h 34m
Director: Curtis Graham
Genre: Action Thriller
In Oloibiri, RMD sheds every trace of his usual suave persona to become Boma, aka Gunpowder — a disillusioned local-turned-vigilante fighting back against the exploitation of his oil-rich hometown by both foreign corporations and greedy compatriots.
This performance is one of RMD’s most physically intense and emotionally charged roles. You see rage, grief, and righteous fury collide in a man pushed to the brink. It’s a gritty departure from the clean-cut businessman roles he’s known for, and he pulls it off with raw conviction.
If you like political thrillers rooted in real-life struggles, this is one of Nollywood’s most compelling attempts — and RMD carries much of that weight on his shoulders.
Watch Oloibiri (Blood & Oil) on YouTube.
1. The Black Book (2023)
Runtime: 2h 4m
Director: Editi Effiong
Genre: Action/Thriller
In The Black Book, RMD plays Paul Edima, a retired assassin living a quiet life until tragedy strikes — his only son is murdered. What follows is a relentless pursuit of vengeance that forces Edima back into his violent past.
This film is a perfect showcase of RMD’s vast range. It blends themes of grief, loss, family, and justice, all while taking on the timely issue of police brutality and corruption. RMD’s portrayal of a man forced to reckon with his past sins while navigating a broken system is layered and emotional.
What makes this performance especially remarkable is RMD’s ability to stay relevant and impactful, constantly evolving and refusing to be boxed in by age or typecasting. The Black Book is an intense ride, with RMD’s raw energy anchoring every scene.
Watch The Black Book on Netflix.
