Nothing lasts forever, whether you want it to. You may love something, but it is perfectly normal to outgrow a hobby or skill; this also works with acting.
Nollywood is filled with talented acts who have proven to be excellent at their jobs. But as new stars are rising, so are the veteran actors leaving. The film industry has experienced remarkable growth in the last decade and the sudden disappearance of some of the best on-screen characters. Here are the top five actors that have shocked everyone with their unexpected exit from the film industry.
1. Grace Amah
Her exit from the acting scene is relatively recent and was something she decided on her own. Her acting career started early at the age of 13. Grace was a 13-year-old character in the hit movie Chains, and her role in the film brought her fully into the spotlight.
Teco Benson’s Elastic Limit earned her the Best Actress in a Leading Role award at the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMVCA). Grace quit the industry permanently when she had her son, so don’t expect to see her in movies again.
Although she came back to the acting scene in 2019, she has been absent from movies since 2020.
2. Saint Obi
This one is for those who grew up watching movies like Candle Light, Heart of Gold, Last Party, and many more; then Obinna Nwafor, popularly known as Saint Obi, should be a household name.
He is a legendary actor and producer who was known as Nollywood’s bad boy. He joined Nollywood in 1995, and while he may be a good-looking man, his talent indeed set him apart from others.
While he may have quit acting, Saint Obi is still active in the film industry as he works behind the screens as a producer. He is also the CEO of AGWHYTE International Limited, a Talent/Brand Management and Public Relations Firm based in Nigeria and America.
ALSO READ: ‘I found peace after leaving Hollywood’ – Cameron Diaz
3. Sandra Achums
Have you ever heard of Nollywood baddies? Sandra Achums was a bonafide member of the bad girls of Nollywood back in the 90s. Her first movie, deadly affairs, brought her into the limelight in 1995. She executed her “bad girl” roles so well that people started assuming she was that way in real life.
She quit acting in the early 2000s when she got married and decided to focus on her family. Now based in Germany, she has not come back to the acting scene since then.
4. Nkiru Sylvanus
If there’s one thing this woman was known for, it is crying. Nkiru was famous for her ability to cry effortlessly in movies. She has acted in over 150 films, making her one of the top actresses to have graced Nollywood. She rose to fame when she starred in the movie A Cry for Help, where she played an orphan maltreated by her stepmother.
The movie that shot her to the stars was the epic blockbuster Egg of Life. This movie got her an award for Best Actress in a leading role at the AMVCAs. She quit acting to dive into politics and was the special assistant on public affairs for former Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha.
5. Lilian Bach
Lilian was well-loved because of her beautiful looks and great acting skills. She came into the limelight when she contested for the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) and emerged as runner-up. The half-Yoruba/half-Polish lady has acted in significant roles in blockbuster movies like Married to a Witch, Outkast, Broken Edge, and many more.
She took a break from the acting industry to pursue a film industry career but never came back to the screens. She officially quit in 2013 to focus on her business.
Written by Eniola Olaniyi
