Since the inception of Nollywood, numerous actors and actresses have captivated audiences, securing their places in the industry’s hall of fame. Each year brings a fresh wave of talents to the scene. In this edition, Weekend Trust showcases some of the leading male faces of Nollywood. These stars include: Deyemi Okanlawon, Jidekene Achufusi (Swanky JKA), Stan Nze, Kunle Remi and Adedimeji Lateef.
Deyemi Okanlawon
Deyemi Okanlawon began his acting career in 2010, but it wasn’t until 2015, that he started making impact. His first taste of acting came at the age of five, in a primary school play, and by age nine, he appeared in a nationally broadcast TV commercial.
Okanlawon made his feature film debut in 2010 with ZR-7, following his appearance in the short film; A Grain of Wheat. By 2012, he had gained recognition for his roles in various internet short films and web series, including Blink, 6:30pm, and Knock Knock. In 2013, he transitioned to acting full-time, amassing over 50 film credits and eight stage credits.
His popular works include: Beyond Blood, If Tomorrow Never Comes, Road to Yesterday, No Man’s Land, Lekki Wives and Gidi Up. Between 2021 and 2023, he featured in major blockbusters such as Elesin Oba: The King’s Horseman, Sista, The Wildflower, Blood Sisters, The Wait, Swallow, and Love in a Pandemic. His role in the Ebonylife series; Blood Sisters earned critical acclaim.
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In 2013, Okanlawon received the Best Actor in a Short Film award at the In-Short Film Festival for his performance in Blink. In 2022, he earned his first Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Award nomination for Best Actor in a Comedy for his role in Omo Ghetto: The Saga. By 2023, he was listed as one of Nollywood’s highest-grossing actors, with a net worth of N130 million.
Jidekene Achufusi aka Swanky JKA
Since his appearance as Nnamdi Okeke in the 2019 remake of Living in Bondage: Breaking Free, Swanky JKA has starred in major Nollywood productions between 2019 and 2024.
Swanky began his career with supporting roles in films like Poka Messiah, Black Rose, Pretty Little Thing, Ofu Obi, and A Lonely Lane. However, his performances in Living in Bondage and Kambili: The Whole 30 Yards catapulted him to stardom.
In 2020, he received a Best Actor nomination and a Trailblazer award at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards. He also won Best Actor in a Leading Role (English) at the BON Awards in 2020. Swanky has appeared in top productions including: Afamefuna, Brotherhood, Dwindle, Japa, Bad Boys & Bridesmaid, I Am Nazzy, Lion heart, and many others. In 2023, he starred in A Tribe Called Judah and Blood Vessel. Following these roles, Swanky is regarded as one of Nollywood’s high-grossing actors, with a net worth of over N200 million.
Stan Nze
Despite his extensive list of credits, Stan Nze’s role in the 2020 remake of Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story stands out as a defining moment in his career. Although he holds a degree in Computer Science, his acting skills were honed at the Stella Damasus Arts Foundation.
Nze debuted in the 2009 TV series Private Sector and gained recognition with his role in the 2013 film; Murder at Prime Suites, where he portrayed a serial killer with bipolar affective disorder. He has since become one of the most sought-after stars in the industry, appearing in films like the 2022 remake of Aki and Pawpaw, Bitter Rain, A Weekend to Forget, Áfàméfùnà: An Nwa Boi Story, and Love Unbroken.
Nze won the 2022 AMVCA Award for Best Actor in Drama for his role in Rattlesnake. He is listed among Nollywood’s high-grossing actors, with a net worth of N166 million.
Kunle Remi
Before gaining prominence in Nollywood, Kunle Remi was known as the winner of the 7th edition of Ultimate Search in 2010. He began acting professionally in 2011, following his win on the show. His first on-screen appearance was in 2012’s Heavy Beauty.
Remi’s popularity rose in 2017, with his roles in Tiwa’s Baggage and Sobi’s Mystic. He also starred in Omotola’s Alter Ego, which was nominated for Best Film with Social Messages and Best Production Design at the Best of Nollywood Awards.
Kunle has starred in major blockbusters such as Mama Drama, Lemonade, Introducing the Kujus, and The Prophetess. In 2020, he featured in his first Netflix original, A Naija Christmas by Kunle Afolayan. His role in the 2022 film, Anikulapo became his biggest yet, making it into the top 10 films in 24 countries on Netflix within its first week and number one in Nigeria during that period.
His recent appearances in major projects have positioned him among Nollywood’s elite, with a net worth of N149 million.
Adedimeji Lateef
Many might remember Adedimeji Lateef as the Airtel brand ambassador, but he has since captured hearts on screen as an accomplished actor. He began his career in 2007 with Orisun TV and gained popularity with his role in Yewande Adekoya’s 2013 movie Kudi Klepto.
Lateef has over 50 film credits to his name, including: Sugar Rush, Soole, Breaded Life, Ayinla, A Naija Christmas, Jagun Jagun, and She Must Be Obeyed. While familiar within the Yoruba film industry, the introduction of subtitles for Yoruba-speaking films has earned him fans nationwide.
In 2016, he won the Best of Nollywood Awards for Best Actor in a Lead Role (Yoruba). He was also nominated for the City People Entertainment Awards for Most Promising Actor of the Year in 2015.
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