With Nollywood actors that have gained global traction with their arts and acting prowess, it is right to assert that the Nigerian filmmaking industry has come a long way.
Nollywood is Nigeria’s version of Hollywood. And for years, there has been a relationship between the two industries, such that Nigerian actors have played major roles in Hollywood’s produced movies.
Olu Jacobs is a 78-year-old veteran actor. The Nigerian actor and film executive, has starred in many British TV series and international films.
Also, Olu Jacobs is one of the greatest and most widely respected African actors of his time. He’s also seen as a cultural icon. The veteran actor played the role of an immigration officer in a 1980 War film, The Dogs of War.
Genevieve Nnaji is a 41-year-old Nigerian actress, producer, and director. She hails from Imo State, Nigeria but grew up in Lagos. Genevieve started her acting career as a child actor. She acted in the popular TV soap opera, Ripples at the age of 8. Also, she has many feathers to her cap as a Nollywood actor.
Meanwhile, in 1998, she was introduced into the growing Nigerian film industry. She started with the movie Most Wanted. Genevieve starred in Farming alongside Hollywood actors –Kate Beckinsale and Damon Idris.
42-year-old Omotola Jalade Ekeinde hails from Ondo State in Nigeria. She is a Nigerian actress, singer and former model. Since her Nollywood film debut in 1995, the actress has starred in 300 films. Also, Omotola is an awardee in many categories as a Nollywood Actor.
Omotola first showed on US TV when she featured in VH1 American drama TV series, Hit The Floor. She starred in the fifth episode of the first season with singer Akon.
Osas Ighodaro hails from Edo State but grew up in the United States. She is a Nigerian-American actress and producer. Osas played the role of Adanna (Danni) in the soap opera Tinsel. Also, she has featured in American movies. One of such was Where Children Play, which was released in 2015. In the movie, she played the character of Nia with Grammy Award-winning Macy Gray and others.
Nigerian actor, Stanley Aguzie featured in a season of Irish-Canadian historical drama television series, Vikings.
He also featured in Into The Badlands as a loyalist to Quinn, a Baron of the Badlands. Aguzie also featured in an English documentary titled Teens Who Kill Showing which aired on CBS.