Five months into 2024, Nollywood has said painful goodbyes to beloved stars who have played their parts in delighting movie and TV audiences for years. In March, not one but two comic actors passed away, sending a shock wave across the industry. We take a look at the Nollywood actors who have passed away in 2024.
Jimi Solanke
Nollywood actor and dramatist, Jimi Solanke, died on February 5, 2024, aged 81. The actor was reportedly in and out of the hospital since December 2023 over an undisclosed illness. Solanke was a revered actor popular for the children’s show, Tales by Moonlight, on NTA during the late 90s. His other works include Family Scene, The Village Headmaster and Shadow Parties.
John Okafor
Legendary comic actor, John Okafor, died on March 2, 2024, after a two-year-long battle with diabetes. Popularly called Mr Ibu by fans, the actor lost one of his legs to amputation in November 2023.
Mr Ibu was renowned for his comedic roles in Nollywood and his jovial personality in real life. His notable works include Mr Ibu, Police Recruit, Mr Ibu Goes to School and Nicodemus.
Amaechi Muonagor
The veteran actor died on March 24, 2024, aged 61, three weeks after the demise of colleague, Mr Ibu. Muonagor was in and out of the hospital over his battle with kidney disease.
The actor succumbed to death a few days after he solicited financial assistance from Nigerians to facilitate a medical trip abroad. He was one of the leading men in the English-speaking faction of Nollywood around the late 90s and mid 2000s. His works include My Village People, Aki na Ukwa and Igodo.
Adejumoke Aderounmu
Nollywood actress, Adejumoke Aderounmu, passed away on April 6, 2024, aged 40. She became popular for her breakthrough role as “Esther” in Funke Akindele’s comedy series, Jenifa’s Diaries. Before her demise, the actress battled an undisclosed sickness which caused her to take a break from the industry.
Aderounmu started her professional acting career in Tunde Kelani’s Arugba and was featured in movies like Dazzling Mirage, La Femme Anjola and Gone.
Pope Odonwodo
Popularly known as Junior Pope, Nollywood actor, Pope Odonwondo died on April 10, days after the death of colleague, Adejumoke Aderounmu. The actor died after drowning in a tragic boat accident while filming in Asaba, Delta state.
Until his demise, he was a force to reckon with in the Eastern faction of Nollywood, popularly called the “Asaba film industry”. Junior Pope got his breakthrough in Nollywood after featuring in Tchidi Chikere’s film, Secret Adventures (2007). Some other notable works include Honey Money, Wrong Initiation and No Way Through.
Tolani Quadri Oyebamiji
The comic actor, famously known as Sisi Quadri, passed away on March 1, 2024, aged 44. Sisi Quadri was one of the leading comic actors in the Yoruba movie industry, loved for his witty and sharp-mouthed characters. Before the actor’s demise, he had crossed into skitmaking, collaborating with content creators like Isbae U, Bimbo Ademoye, Mr Macaroni and many more. His notable works include Anikulapo: The Rise of The Spectre, Seranko Seniyan and Eran Iya Osogbo.
Deji Aderemi
Popularly known as Baba Olofa Ina, veteran Nollywood actor Deji Aderemi died on January 4, 2024, aged 73. He was famous for acting as a traditional chief and Ifa priest in several Yoruba movies. His most recent work was Kunle Afolayan’s Netflix series: Anikulapo Rise of The Spectre. His other notable films include Kabiyesi Olodumare, Ija Omode and Ewe Orun.
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