Hollywood talent from Nigeria – or with Nigerian roots – are on the rise. We’ve spotlighted some of them who are proving to be a shot in the arm of America’s showbiz industry.
Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje
Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje is an actor and former fashion model famous for his roles as Lock-Nah in ‘The Mummy Returns,’ and as Nykwana Wombosi in ‘The Bourne Identity,’ Mr. Eko in ‘Lost’ and Simon Adebisi on Oz. His also starred as Malko in the fifth season the ‘Game of Thrones,’ and as Dave Duerson in the drama, ‘Concussion’ and as Killer Croc in the upcoming movie, ‘Suicide Squad.’ Akinnuoye-Agbaje was born in Islington, London to Yoruba parents who were studying there. He is fluent in several languages including Yoruba, Italian, and Swahili. He can “get along” in a few other languages, including French. When he was only six weeks old, his biological parents gave him up to a white working class family in Tilbury. His foster parents had at least ten African children, including Akinnuoye-Agbaje’s two sisters, living in their house at certain points. His foster father made a living as a lorry driver and struggled to support the family financially.
Adepero Oduye
Adepero Oduye was born in Brooklyn, New York City and is a graduate of Cornell University. She has starred in the short film ‘Pariah,’ ‘Water,’ ‘The Tested’ and ‘Sub Rosa.’ She has also made guest appearances on ‘Louie’ and ‘Law & Order.’ Oduye debuted on Broadway in the musical Fela! and starred alongside Chiwetel Ejiofor in the film 12 Years a Slave.
Judith Shekoni
Judith Shekoni has featured in BBC TV shows, ‘Casualty’ and ‘Easteneders.’ Shekoni played Zafrina in ‘Twilight Breaking Dawn 2’ by award-winning director, Bill Condon. She is part of the cast of ‘Heroes’ premiering at the ongoing Toronto Film Festival, as Joanne.
Megalyn Ann Echikunwoke
Megalyn Ann Echikunwoke was born May 28, 1983 in Spokane, Washington. She played Nicole Palmer in the first season of ‘24,’ Angie Barnett in the seventh season of ‘That ‘70s Show’ and Isabelle Tyler in ‘The 4400’. In ‘Who Do You Love’ where she played a heroin-addicted lounge singer, she did all of her own singing in the movie.
Richard Ayoade
Richard Ellef Ayoade was inspired by the likes of comedy icons Eric Idle (‘Monty Python’), Hugh Laurie and Graeme Garden. His major launch into the industry was directing, co-writing and starring with Matthew Holness in ‘Darkplace.’ He has had cameos in ‘The Mighty Boosh’ Saboo, in ‘The IT Crowd’ as a social oblivious, dweebish savant, ‘Moss.’ He directed ‘Submarine’ in 2010 and then ‘The Double’ in 2013.
Sonni Chidiebere
Sonni Chidiebere is an actor, known for Blood Diamond (2006), District 9 (2009) and Hotel Rwanda (2004). The actor has earned minor roles in movies like ‘Hotel Rwanda,’ ‘Blood Diamond,’ ‘District 9’ and ‘Lord of War.’ Born in Nigeria, he grew up in South Africa, where he started his acting career.
Dayo Okeniyi
Oladayo A. ‘Dayo’ Okeniyi popular for his role as Thresh in ‘The Hunger Games’ and as Danny Dyson in ‘Terminator Genisys.’ He began acting in primary school and went on to receive a degree of visual communications design in 2009 before moving to Los Angeles to pursue his passion in acting.
Uzo Aduba
Uzo Aduba gained recognition with her performance in ‘Translations of Xhosa.’ She received a Helen Hayes Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a ‘Play.’ In 2007 she made her broadway debut in ‘Coram Boy’ as Toby. TV series ‘Blue Bloods’ also starring Tom Selleck was her first television appearanceby 2013 she began to receive wider recognition and acclaim for her portrayal of Suzanne Warren, aka Crazy Eyes, in widely acclaimed ‘Orange Is the New Black.’
Itoya Osagiede
Itoya Osagiede featured as the Malian military general in TV series, ‘American Odyssey.’ In a personal statement he said: “I have been in love with the performance industry since I can remember from film to theatre. My passion, commitment and motivation keeps pushing me forward and I know I will get to where I need to as long as I keep pushing myself. I respect its craft and what it stands for.”
Adetomiwa Edun
Adetomiwa Edun starred as Sir Elyan in ‘Merlin.’ Edun who was born in Lagos, to a Nigerian father and a half-Ghanaian, half-English mother featured at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, as the character Clifford in the show, ‘Kassandra.’ The Acting graduate is the second black actor to play Romeo at the Globe Theatre when he was cast in Dominic Dromgoole’s production of ‘Romeo and Juliet.’ Edun has also appeared in ‘The Fixer,’ ‘Law & Order’: UK, ‘The Hour.’
John Boyega
John Boyega will be playing Finn in the upcoming ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens.’ His role as Moses in ‘Attack the Block’ shot him to limelight. Screen International’s Fionnuala Halligan selected him as one of the ‘UK Stars of Tomorrow 2011.’ Boyega who was cast in the film adaptation of ‘Half of a Yellow Sun,’ stated in an interview that he is a fan of Marvel Comics, and that he had hoped to play the Marvel character Black Panther.
Hakeem Kae-Kazim
Hakeem Kae-Kazim, was trained at the Bristol Old Vic and joined the Royal Shakespeare Company upon graduation. He has starred in ‘Pirates of the Caribbean III,’ ‘Black Sails,’ ‘Lost,’ ‘Cane’, ‘Law & Order: SVU,’ ‘X-Men: Wolverine’ with Hugh Jackman and as Colonel Dubaku, in ‘24’s season 7. He appeared alongside other Hollywood acts like Mickey Rourke and Kim Basinger, in ‘Black November’ which he also produced. He has made appearances in Nollywood productions including ‘Last Flight to Abuja’ and ‘Inale.’
Caroline Chikezie
Caroline Chikezie was born and raised in London and has acted in prominent Hollywood movies and TV series following her role in ‘Aeon Flux,’ including ‘Eragon,’ ‘Breaking and Entering,’ ‘The Supernatural.’ She landed her first major role as Sasha Williams in ‘As If in 2001.’ Chikezie has had roles in ‘Footballer’s Wives,’ ‘40,’ ‘Judas Kiss,’ ‘Free Fall’ and ‘Brothers and Sisters.’
Hope Adjoko Olaide Wilson
Hope Olaide Wilson as she is popularly called, was born in the UK and is actress and producer, known for her acting in ‘I Can Do Bad All by Myself,’ ‘Faith and Dreams’ and ‘After the Dark (2013).’
Chinwe Tracy Ifeachor
Tracy Ifeachor was crowned Senior Verse Speaking Champion of the South-West at the age of 15, and was keen on drama school to study acting. She won a scholarship and graduated with honours from The Royal Central School of Speech & Drama. She starred in feature film ‘Blooded’ as the co-lead, Eve and in ‘Casualty.’ Ifeachor starred in the final ‘Dr Who’ and ‘Strike Back: Vengeance.’
Toks Olagundoye
Toks Olagundoye born to a Norwegian mother and a Nigerian father, she was educated in Nigeria, Switzerland and England. Olagundoye who holds a degree in Fine Arts attracted to cinema at a young age, and was pleased to relocate to herself with joy when she moved to Massachusetts for college and now works in the US.
Ashley Madekwe
Ashley Madekwe was born in London and has starred in the TV series ‘Revenge,’ and movies including Cassandra’s Dream (2007) and Venus (2006). She has been married to Iddo Goldberg since June 17, 2012.
Rotimi
Olurotimi Akinosho is a singer-songwriter, actor and model who starred as Darius Morrison drama series ‘Boss.’ Other movies he has starred in include, ‘Divergent’ and ‘Imperial Dreams.’ He has performed in BET’s ‘106 and Park’ as a spotlight act.
Nonso Anozie
Nonso Anozie was popular for his role in ‘The Grey,’ ‘Cinderella’ (2015) and ‘Atonement.’ Anozie who graduated from the Central School of Speech and Drama, London, received the Ian Charleson Award in 2005 for his performance as William Shakespeare’s ‘Othello.’ He was the winner of the 2004 Magnolia Stage Performance Award in China and was the first non-Chinese to be honoured with the prize of best actor. He is officially the youngest person in history to play Shakespeare’s ‘King Lear,’ professionally.
David Oyelowo
David Oyetokunbo Oyelowo is a classically trained stage actor who has become one of Hollywood’s most sought-after talents. He graduated from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), and received the ‘Scholarship for Excellence’ from Nicholas Hytner in 1998. The ‘Selma’ star has received nominations for ‘Best Supporting Actor’ for the 2013 Independent Spirit Awards and the 44th Annual NAACP Image Awards on behalf of his work in the film. He has starred in ‘Middle of Nowhere,’ ‘Lincoln.’
Carmen Ejogo
Carmen Ejogo’s television career began in the UK in the early 1990s, with the children’s series Saturday Disney. She starred with Eddie Murphy in ‘Metro’ ‘What’s the Worst That Could Happen?,’ ‘Love’s Labour’s Lost.’ She also presented ‘The Carmen Ejogo Video Show’ and starred in the drama, ‘Sally Hemings: An American Scandal’ as Sally Hemings and also as Sister Anderson in the remake version of the cult classic original film ‘Sparkle.’ She appeared on four songs of ‘Sparkle’ original soundtrack album from the movie of the same name and sang lead on ‘Yes I Do’, and co-lead vocals with Jordin Sparks and Tika Sumpter on ‘Jump,’ ‘Hooked on Your Love’ and ‘Something He Can Feel.’
Chiwetelu Ejiofor
Chiwetelu Ejiofor caught the attention of award-wining director, Steven Spielberg in 1996 andwas cast in Amistad alongside Morgan Freeman and Anthony Hopkins. Ejiofor has gone on to other Hollywood movies like ‘Dirty Pretty Things,’ ‘Love Actually,’ ‘Melinda and Melinda,’ ‘Kinky Boots,’ ‘Inside Man,’ ‘Children of Men,’ ‘American Gangster’ and ‘Talk to Me.’
Enuka Okuma
Enuka Okuma is an actress and director, popular from ‘Rookie Blue,’ ‘Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye,’ ‘Mobile Suit Gundam Wing’ and ‘24.’
Sophie Okonedo
Sophie Okonedo became a popular face following her role in ‘Hotel Rwanda’, generating Oscar buzz, even though she had previously acted in ‘Ace Ventura: When nature calls’ with Jim Carrey. She is also known for a role in ‘After Earth.’
Razaaq Adoti
Razaaq Adoti began stage acting at 17 and was cast as Nathan Detroit while still in college, in ‘Guys and Dolls.’ He was also in ‘Amistad’ and starred as main antagonist ‘Black Hawk Down.’ He was co-star in ‘Resident Evil: Apocalypse’ and Bill Duke’s ‘Cover.’
Oluwakemi Nina Sosanya
Sosanya appeared as Desdemona in ‘Othello,’ ‘Olivia’ in ‘Twelfth Night’ and Hermia in ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream.’ She also had the title role in ‘Educating Rita.’ She acted in ‘Henry V,’ ‘The White Devil,’ ‘The Learned Ladies’ and ‘Herbal Bed,’ before moving to the National Theatre for ‘Anthony & Cleopatra’ and ‘House and Garden.’
Shirley Bassey
At 16, Shirley Bassey made her professional debut in entertainment in the touring revue ‘Memories of Al Jolson.’ For fans of Ian Fleming’s James Bond movie, ‘Golden Finger,’ her voice resonates in the soundtrack, following her first major hit, ‘The Banana Boat Song.’
Annie Ngasi Illonzeh
Annie Ilonzeh is known for her role in ‘Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief,’ ‘He’s Just Not That Into You’ and ‘General Hospital.’
Taio Cruz
Adetayo Ayowale Onile-Era Taio Cruz has been on the international scene since 2009. His first hit, ‘Break Your Heart’ sold millions of copies worldwide. He has had other hits including ‘Dynamite’ and ‘Higher’ featuring Kylie Minogue. Cruz has his own brand of glasses, the rockstarr glasses and plans to branch out into more accessories in the future.
Osas Ighodaro
Osas Ighodaro is known for her role in ‘Cadillac’ and is proud of her Nigerian heritage. She ‘strongly values the importance of family, dignity, being of service to humanity, and maintaining a connection to her roots.’
Vera Ephraim
Vera Nkechi Anenyeonu took on the name Vera Ephraim as a sign of her late father’s support in her life, whose name was Ephraim. Originally from Anambra State, she was born in Edo State and works as an actor, dancer and choreographer. She has starred in short films and a TV documentary for Channel 4 as well as worked as assistant director for the play, ‘Greed Need and Slavery’ Part 1 & 2. Vera has acted in South African soaps, ‘Generations,’ ‘Intersextions,’ ‘Jacobs Cross,’ ‘7de Laan,’ ‘Room 9.’
Ebbe Bassey
Ebbe Bassey was born in the Bronx, New York and raised in Calabar. The actress, writer, producer believes that art should educate and entertain. Her first short film ‘Siri Oko Fo (Mending Fences)’ debuted at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival Short Film Corner and has been accepted at other prestigious film festivals such as the Hollywood Black Film Festival, Boston International Film Festival,Urban World, Newfilmmakers,London’s Raindance, Show Off Your Shorts film festivals. She has starred in ‘NYPD Blues,’ ‘Law & Order: SVU,’ ‘A Spoonful of Sugar’ which won Best Student Film at the Hollywood Black Film Festival in 2003, ‘African Booty Scratcher,’ ‘Drawn,’ ‘The End of Winter.’
Deborah Ayorinde
Deborah Ayorinde performed her first play at seven and won the Paul Robeson Best Actress award for her performance in a short film she wrote and directed. The film also won the award for Best Cinematography. She appeared in ‘Django Unchained,’ ‘The Game,’ ‘Meet the Browns,’ ‘Necessary Roughness,’ and ‘The Mo’Nique Show.’
