18 Nollywood Fallen Heroes That Can’t Be Forgotten

In this article I will be sharing with you 18 Nollywood fallen heroes that can’t be forgotten. These Nollywood celebrities where legends in their creative field and entertained us very well until their call to glory. So to celebrate them we decided to compile a list of 18 Nollywood celebrities who left us to the underworld. These celebrities contributed immensely to the success of Nollywood in Nigeria and rest of the world.

Their passion, determination, hard work and creativity put Nollywood on the spotlight. Unfortunately these celebrities are no more but their legacy still lives. Their success and achievement in the Nigerian movie industry will always be remembered and their contribution to the growth of Nollywood will never be forgotten. So not to waste much of your time, we present to you 18 Nollywood fallen heroes that can’t be forgotten.

1. Sam Loco Efe

Sam Loco Efe is a Nollywood legendary comic actor who has been described as the best and most decorated comic actor in Nigeria, popularly known for his use of heavy grammatical words in a comic manner. He was born on 25th December 1945 in Enugu State, Nigeria. His father was of Benin ancestry who worked in Eastern Nigeria and his mother was a petty trader who sold bean cakes. He spent considerable part of his childhood in the town of Abakaliki, the capital city of Ebonyi State in the south eastern part of Nigeria.

He lost his father at a very tender age and had to struggle to help his mother in her trade in order to earn income for the family. His first experience with acting was at his school when a theatre group came to stage a play called “The Doctor”. In elementary school, he played the role of Julius Caesar in a Shakespearean play which earned him a scholarship.

After his secondary school education, Sam Loco Efe joined a traveling theatre group and played soccer, earning for himself the title of Moniker Locomotive.

Sam Loco Efe is one of the most talented actor in Nollywood who uses grammatical words and vocabulary in his diction and communications while acting in movies. On 7th August 2011, Sam Loco Efe died at the age of 65 years old on a movie location, in his hotel room in Owerri the capital city of Imo State in the south eastern part of Nigeria. The cause of his death was suspected asthma.

2. Dede One Day

Dede One Day is a Nollywood legendary comic actor who has been described as the best and most decorated and talent comic actor in Nigeria and a master of ceremony. Dede One Day whose real name is Peter Onwuzurike Onyehidelam is one of Nigerian best comic actor known for his hilarious comedy movies, shows, events and audio tape.

He was born and raised in Aba, a small town in Abia State in the south eastern part of Nigeria. Dede One Day is originally from Umuagwuru Mbieri, a small village in Imo State in the south eastern part of Nigeria, but was born and raised in Aba, a small town in Abia State in the south eastern part of Nigeria.

Dede One Day started his career as a stand-up comedian and master of ceremony (MC). He rose to fame after releasing his comedy audio series “Laugh With Me” a comedy talk show which is very hilarious and causes comic relief.

Unfortunately, on 14th December 2015, Dede One Day died after he slumped while performing at an event in Aba, Abia State in the south eastern part of Nigeria. It was later discovered that Dede One Day tragic death was caused by complications of hypertension and high blood pressure.

3. Muna Obiekwe

Munachimso Obiekwe popularly known as Muna Obiekwe is a famous Nollywood actor, producer and a television personality. He acts mostly in romantic and action movies alongside with other several top Nollywood celebrities. He was born in 1979 in Lagos State in the south western part of Nigeria and died on 18th January 2015 in Festac Town, Lagos State, Nigeria at the age of 36 years old after been diagnosed of kidney disease.

Muna Obiekwe is originally from Enugu State in the south eastern part of Nigeria. He joined the Nigerian movie industry (Nollywood) in the late 90s and since then till his death, has acted in several Nollywood blockbuster movies. Some of the movies he has acted include Across the Bridge, The Laptop, Negative Influence, Men in Love, Eyes of the Gods, amongst others.

He was secretly married to Gift Obiekwe and the marriage was blessed with two beautiful kids. He kept his marriage secret and his private life personal until his untimely and painful death which was caused by Kidney disease.

4. Geraldine Ekeocha

Geraldine Ekeocha is a fallen hero and a legendary Nollywood actress, television personality and a philanthropist. She was born on 15th June 1955 in Imo State in the south eastern part of Nigeria and died on 4th September 2011 at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Ituku Ozalla, Enugu State in the south eastern part of Nigeria at the age of 56 years old.

Geraldine Ekeocha is originally from Imo State, but grew up in Enugu State both in the south eastern part of Nigeria. She joined the Nigerian movie industry (Nollywood) in the late 90s and in 2005, she rose to fame and became highly popular after starring in the Nollywood blockbuster movie “World Apart” alongside with Kenneth Okonkwo, Ini Edo and Liz Benson.

Sadly, Geraldine Ekeocha died on 4th September 2011 in Enugu State, Nigeria at the age of 56 years old. She died during a fibroid operation. It was gathered that she died at the age of 56 years old living behind her 7 children comprising of 6 girls and 1 boy. It was also gathered that Geraldine Ekeocha was diagnosed with liver cancer before she kicked the bucket.

5. Justus Esiri

Justus Esiri is a fallen hero and a legendary Nollywood actor, television personality, entrepreneur and a philanthropist. He was generally considered to be one of the pillars of Nollywood with an acting career that goes way back to the 1960s. He was born on 20th November 1942 in Oria-Abraka, Delta State in the south southern part of Nigeria and died on 19th February 2013 in a hospital in Lagos State in the south western part of Nigeria from complications of diabetes at the age of 70 years old.

After completing his primary and secondary school education, Justus Esiri left Nigeria and went to Germany for his higher education. He attended Maximilian University, Prof. Weners Institute of Engineering and Ahrens School of Performing Arts all in Germany and obtained his Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctorate Degree in Performing Arts.

Justus Esiri is also the proud father of Nigeria popular artiste Dr Sid. Sadly, Justus Esiri died on 19th February 2013 in a hospital in Lagos from complications of diabetes at the age of 70 years old. A tribute night, organized by the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) was held at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos State, Nigeria on 8th April 2013 to honour him.

6. Bukky Ajayi

Zainab Bukky Ajayi is a fallen hero and a legendary Nollywood actress, television personality and a philanthropist. She was born on 2nd February 1934 in Surulere, Lagos State in the south western part of Nigeria and died on 6th July 2016 at her residence in Surulere, Lagos State in the south western part of Nigeria at the age of 82 years old. She died a peaceful death out of old age.

After completing her primary and secondary school education in Lagos, Nigeria, Bukky Ajayi proceeded to England in the United Kingdom on a federal government scholarship to complete her tertiary education. In 1965, Bukky Ajayi left England, United Kingdom for Nigeria where her career began as a presenter and newscaster for the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) in 1966. She started acting in 1970 and made her first film debut in the television series “Village Headmaster” produced by Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).

Some of the movies she has acted include checkmate, Critical Assignment, Diamond Ring, Witches, Hotel Majestic, Mother of George, A Brighter Sun, Big Heart Treasure, amongst others. In 2016, she was awarded the Industry Merit Award at the 2016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards. Unfortunately, on 6th July 2016, Bukky Ajayi died at her residence in Surulere, Lagos State in the south western part of Nigeria at the age of 82 years old. It was gather that she died a peaceful death caused by old age.

7. Pete Eneh

Pete Eneh is a famous Nollywood legendary actor, producer, filmmaker, entrepreneur and a philanthropist. He was born in 1944 in Port Harcourt, River State in the south southern part of Nigeria and died on 15th November 2012 in Enugu State in the south eastern part of Nigeria at the age of 68 years old. Pete Eneh is one of the pioneers of the Nigerian movie industry (Nollywood) and contributed immensely to the growth of Nollywood in Nigeria and around the world.

Pete Eneh has acted in more than 150 Nollywood movies which include Issakaba, Perfect Temptation, Royal Palace, Heavy Rain, Fire on the Mountain, The Suitors, Abeg Marry Us, amongst others. He acts mostly as an elder, traditional ruler, good father, grandfather and a title chief in Nollywood movies.

Unfortunately, on 15th November 2012, Pete Eneh, died after leg amputation due to an infection on the leg in Enugu State in the south eastern part of Nigeria at the age of 68 years old.  He was one of the highly respected and most talented actors Nigeria has ever produced.

8. J.T Tom West

J.T Tom West is a legendary Nollywood actor who died mysteriously in a car accident on 28th September 2006 in Lagos, Nigeria on his way back home from a movie location. His dead was mysterious and tragic. He was born as Joe Tamuno-Bibidamaa in 1954 but was popularly known as J.T Tom West. He was 52 years old before his death. He was popularly known as the Nollywood Bad Boy because of the rugged and criminal roles he played in movies.

He was born in 1954 in Port Harcourt, River State in the south southern part of Nigeria and grew up in Lagos State in the south western part of Nigeria. After his primary, secondary and tertiary education he joined the Nigerian movie industry (Nollywood) in 1992. He rose to fame after acting in the blockbuster movie “State of Emergency” a movie produced and directed by Teco Benson.

He has acted in more than 70 Nollywood movies before his death which include Force Alarm, The Captor, State of Emergency, The President Must Not Die, Above the Law, amongst others. He usually acts in action thriller movies alongside with Nollywood celebrities like Sam Dede, Saint Obi, Hanks Anuku, Jim Iyke and Gentle Jack.

9. Prince James Uche

Prince James Uche is veteran Nollywood actor and a television personality. He joined the Nigerian movie industry (Nollywood) in early 1999 and acted in his first movie Igodo, a 1999 Nollywood blockbuster movie which brought him to limelight. He has also acted in other movies like Coronation which was produced in 2004 and The Councilor which was produced in 2005.

Prince James Uche was earlier suffering from Diabetes, Blindness, BP and Kidney disease for over 8 years which kept him off the screen. Unfortunately, he died on 8th March 2017 at a private hospital in Festac Town, Lagos where he had been for two years after a long battle with a kidney related disease.

Prince James Uche was a onetime National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN). Some of the movies he has acted include The Counselor, Igodo, Coronation and The Lost Kingdom, amongst others. He acts mostly as a title chief, a traditional ruler, a father, uncle, grandfather and father in-law in several Nollywood movies. Unfortunately, he died on 8th March 2017 at a private hospital in Festac Town, Lagos where he had been for over two years after a long battle with a kidney related disease.

10. Obi Madubogwo

Obi Madubogwo is a veteran Nollywood actor and a filmmaker. He joined the Nigerian movie industry (Nollywood) in early 1999 and popularly known for his role as King of Musanga in the Nollywood blockbuster movie “Battle of Musanga”. According to multiple reports, the veteran actor had battled with acute diabetic foot ulcers, before finally giving up the ghost on Monday, 28th August 2017.

Obi Madubogwo is a veteran Nollywood actor and a producer who hail from Ogidi, a small town in Anambra State in the south eastern part of Nigeria. The highest point in his career was when he was cast to play as King Musanga in the Nollywood blockbuster movie “Battle of Musanga” an epic film still considered as the most expensive production with the largest cast and crew in the industry. After which he acted in another blockbuster movie titled “Conspiracy”.

He is the founder of Saving Life for Africa Diabetes Foundation which he established in 2009. His last cinematic outing was the 2015 movie “Grave Dust” which was produced by him and starred star actors like Ramsey Nouah, Joke Silva and Joseph Benjamin. In December 2016, he was hospitalized at the Federal Medical Centre, inside Railway Corporation in Ebute Metta, Lagos State, Nigeria, where he was been rendered immobile by diabetes and deteriorating diabetic wounds. He was married to Madubogwu Obianuju Ngozi and the couples were blessed with beautiful kids. Unfortunately, Obi Madubogwu battled with diabetes until he lost his life on 28th August 2017.

11. Okwy Chukwujekwu

Okwy Chukwujekwu popularly known as Main Boss is a fast rising Nollywood comic actor. He is very funny and talented. He is originally from Nnewi, a small town in Anambra State in the south eastern part of Nigeria. On Tuesday, 5th September 2017, it was reported that the 27-year-old Nollywood comic actor Okwy Chukwujekwu popularly known as the Main Bossman has kicked the bucket. However, before his death, his family members were unable to reveal the cause of the late actor’s death but reports from credible sources revealed that he died of Asthma Attack.

His death was reported by his best friend Odira Nwobu who shared the news via his official Facebook account. According the Odira Nwobu, the comic actor suddenly slumped during the shooting of a movie and they felt the actor was still playing a role but he did not wake up. Okwy Chukwujekwu is popularly known for his comedy movies. He has acted in over 50 Nollywood movies alongside with Dede One Day, Victor Osuagwu, Sam Loco Efe, Charles Inojie, John Okafor, and a host of others. Unfortunately, he died on Tuesday, 5th September 2017, due to asthmas attack.

12. Enebeli Elebewu

Enebeli Elebuwa is a famous Nollywood actor, producer and a television personality. He was popularly known for playing the role of a king and title chief in several Nollywood movies. He was born on 14th February 1947 in Delta State in the south southern part of Nigeria and died on 4th December 2012 in New Delhi, India at the age of 65 years old.

Enebeli Elebuwa is a Nigerian prolific actor who has acted in over 200 Nollywood movies. He is one of the most recognizable and respected faces in the ever growing Nigerian entertainment industry popularly known as Nollywood which is currently the most popular film industry on the African continent as a whole.

Enebeli Elebuwa was born in the northern part of Delta State in the south southern part of Nigeria. He is an Ukwuani by origin from Isumpe quarters of Utagba-Uno in Ndokwa-West Local Government Area of Delta State in the south southern part of Nigeria.

He joined the Nigerian movie industry (Nollywood) in the late 80s and have acted in more than 200 Nollywood movies before his death which include Royal War, Bent Arrows, Against my Blood, A Prize to Pay, City of Kings, Last Dance, Abuja Connection, When the Heart Lies, amongst others.

Unfortunately, Enebeli Elebuwa suffered a major stroke and was flown overseas for medical treatment. He died at the age of 65 years old in a hospital in New Delhi, India on 5th December 2012 and was laid to rest at Victoria Court Cemetery in Ajah, Lagos State in the south southern part of Nigeria.

13. Peter Brunor

Peter Brunor is a veteran Nollywood actor and a television personality. He was born in Ogwashi Uku, a small town in Delta State in the south southern part of Nigeria. He joined the Nigerian movie industry (Nollywood) in early 90s. He rose to fame after starring in the Nollywood blockbuster movie “Checkmates”. Some of the movies he has acted include Glamour Girls, Memorial Hospital, Sound of Destiny, Second Chance, Third Eye, amongst others.

Unfortunately, Peter Bunor was reported to have died in Asaba, Delta State. The death of the Ogwashi Uku, Delta State-born actor in the early hours of Friday, 1st May 2015 in Asaba, Delta State was announced by his son, Peter Bunor Jr, through a post on his Facebook page, saying; “In the early hours of today, my father, friend, teacher and confidant passed on.”

He passed away in Asaba, Delta State. The late actor, who had featured in many movies, died at the age of 60 years old. His son Peter Bunor Junior broke the news of his father’s demise on Friday on his official Facebook page and it was reported that the cause of his death was due to a deadly stroke.

14. Ashley Nwosu

Ashley Chijioke Nwosu is a fallen hero and a legendary Nollywood actor, television personality, entrepreneur and a philanthropist. He was born on 21st November 1954 in Umuahia-Oboro, Abia State in the south eastern part of Nigeria and died on 21st April 2011 at the Military Hospital, Yaba, Lagos State in the south western part of Nigeria at the age of 56 years old.

He is originally from Umugu-Oboro in Ikwano Local Government Area of Abia State in the south eastern part of Nigeria. His father’s name is late Pa Francis Ibeabudi Nwosu and his mother’s name is Mrs. Ezinne Victoria Nwosu. He was the 4th child in a family of 7 children.

Ashley Nwosu attended Umuigu Central Primary School and Oboro Secondary School both in Umuahia-Oboro, Abia State, Nigeria. After completing his primary and secondary school education, Ashley Nwosu proceeded to University of Nigeria, Nsukka in Enugu State, Nigeria and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Zoology.

Unfortunately, on 21st April 2011 Ashley Nwosu died at the age of 56 years old at the Military Hospital, Yaba, Lagos State in the south western part of Nigeria, leaving behind his lovely wife and five lovely children. The cause of his death was due to liver disease he has been battling for months.

15. Maya Njubuigbo

Martins Njubuigbo popularly known as Elder Maya Njubuigbo is a veteran Nollywood actor popularly known for playing the role of a titled chief and a chief priest in several Nollywood movies. He has acted in blockbuster movies like Indemnity, The Barrister, De Prof, Died Wretched and Battle of Musanga, amongst others. He is very talented and gifted in acting and interpretation of movie roles.

Unfortunately, veteran Nollywood actor, Martins Njubuigbo, popularly known as Elder Maya died on Friday, 1st October 2016 after battling with a liver-related ailment. His son confirmed his demise on his official Facebook account.

Before his death, he has been battling with Liver disease for many years. After a prolonged battle with liver disease, the Nollywood veteran actor whom age is no longer by his side died on Friday, 1st October 2016 which happens to be Nigeria’s Independent day. And the cause of his death was liver disease.

16. Clem Onyeka

Clem Onyeka is a fast rising Nollywood actor and a television personality. He was born in Asaba, Delta State in the south southern part of Nigeria. He was born in 1977 in Asaba, Delta State and died on 14th October 2014 in Asaba, Delta State at the age of 37 years old. Clem Onyeka was killed in crossfire between the Nigerian police and notorious armed robbers in Asaba, Delta State in the south southern part of Nigeria.

Clem Onyeka is originally from River State, but was born and bred in Asaba, Delta State. He was fast becoming a celebrated actor when the tragic event occurs. He was hit by a stray bullets in Asaba, Delta State on 14th October 2014 during a cross fire between Nigerian Police and some notorious armed robbers. Before his tragic death, he has acted in more than 50 Nollywood movies. It was reported that Clem Onyeka had three kids before his painful death.

17. Amaka Igwe

Amaka Igwe is a famous Nollywood movie producer, broadcasting executive, entrepreneur and a filmmaker. She was born on 2nd January 1963 in Port Harcourt, River State in the south southern part of Nigeria and died on 28th April 2014 in Enugu coal city of Enugu State in the south eastern part of Nigeria at the age of 51 years old.

Amaka Igwe was the fifth child in a family of seven children. She studied at the All Saints School and Awkunanaw Girls High School in Enugu for her primary and secondary school education. After which she attended Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile Ife, Osun State and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and Religious Studies.

Amaka Igwe was the owner of Top Radio 90.9 FM in Lagos and Amaka Igwe Studios in Lagos. She was recognized as one of the second generation filmmakers who contributed immensely to the growth of Nollywood in Nigeria and rest of the world. She remained a prominent figure in the industry until her death in 2014.

Amaka Igwe died in Enugu on 28th April 2014 at 8:30 pm, after efforts failed to save her from an asthma exacerbation. Her funeral was attended by Rochas Okorocha, the governor of Imo State, as well as personalities from the Nigerian movie industry (Nollywood).

18. Francis Agu

Francis Okechukwu Agu popularly known as Francis Agu is a veteran Nollywood actor and a television personality. He was best known for his role on the long-running Nigerian television series “Checkmate”. He was born on 18th February 1965 in Lagos, Nigeria and died on 20th March 2007 in Lagos, Nigeria at the age of 42 years old.

He was born to the Catholic family of Fidelis and Virginia Agu. He is originally from Enugu-Ngwo, Enugu State in the south eastern part of Nigeria. He was the seventh child in a family of eight children. After his primary and secondary school education, he attended University of Lagos and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication.

Some of the movies he has acted include Checkmate, Living in Bondage, Blood Brothers, A Minute to Midnight, Untouchable, Circle of Doom, Blood Money, amongst others. Unfortunately, Francis Agu became ill in October 2006 and died on 20th March 2007 in Lagos, Nigeria after suffering from diabetes.

Austine Ikeru
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