Some Nollywood actors mistakenly got into acting, yet catapulted right into fame, and then other actors had a gradual climb up the ladder till they achieved their breakout roles. It doesn’t matter which actors fall under which, the main point is that their performances, talent, and zeal earned them a place in Nollywood. In the Nigerian film industry, certain Nollywood actors and the movies that made them famous represent how much hard work pays off. It doesn’t matter if you’re in the field or not, knowing about these Nollywood actors and the movies that made them famous might just inspire you.
From Stan Eze to Clinton Joshua, these actors prove that the right job, or in their case, the right movie can propel you into the limelight. In this article, we take a deep dive into 100 Nollywood actors and the movies that made them famous, showcasing how their performances have not only impacted their career but also played a major role in the growth of the industry.
1. Too Sweet Annan
Toosweet Annan is a Ghanaian-Nigerian actor, model, fashion designer, film producer, and entrepreneur who has become a fan favorite actor among Nollywood lovers. The actor became popular for his role as Theon in the 2019 film P Over D.
2. Stan Nze
Stanley Ebuka Nzediegwu, better known as Stan Eze, is a versatile Nollywood actor with a lot of dynamic acting roles to his name. The talented actor started acting in 2013 with several roles afterward. However, Stan Nze is best known for his role in the 2020 Remake of Amaka Igwe’s classic, Rattlesnake.
3. Deyemi Okanlawon
Famous Nollywood actor Deyemi Okanlawon has taken the Nollywood scene by storm since he began acting. By 2012, the actor gained recognition in the industry with roles in short films and web series, such as Gidi Up, Blink, and Knock Knock. His roles in these various projects are why he’s famous today, and he has since gone on to star in even bigger productions such as Omo Ghetto: The Saga, Blood Sisters, and so on.
4. Mike Afolarin
Mike Afolarin is Nollywood’s fast-rising leading man, he’s starred in various movies and series that have shot him up to fame. This actor has been in the industry for quite a while with several acting credits to his name. However, his lead role as Ishaya, in the Netflix television series Far From Home made him famous in the Nollywood scene.
5. Kenneth Okolie
Kenneth Okolie is an actor who has made his mark in the industry from small roles to big roles. The actor rose to fame in Nollywood with roles in television dramas such as Husbands of Lagos and Skinny Girl in Transit. Regarding movie roles, The Royal Hibiscus Hotel shot him up to fame.
6. Bryan Okwara
Bryan Okwara is one of Nollywood’s most revered actors with several notable roles. Okwara is most known for playing Timi in the 2018 film If I Am President, this movie alongside others such as The Washerman, made him famous.
7. Maleek Milton
Emeka Miltons Alumona, popularly known as Maleek Milton is a Nollywood actor, scriptwriter, and entrepreneur. The actor is known for several roles, but roles such as Battle of Kings shot him to fame.
8. Ray Emodi
Ray Emodi is one of those Nollywood actors who are most known for the types of characters they play. In his case, Emodi is most known for playing the bad boy characters in films. The actor rose to fame following his role in Heaven on My Mind.
9. Eronini Osinachi
Eronini Osinachi is a young actor who made his way into the industry and has been on a roll ever since. According to the actor’s biography, he became famous after his Nollywood debut in Mannerless, a movie made in partnership with Ruth Kadiri, where he played the lead character’s cousin.
10. Zubby Michael
Zubby Michael is an amazing actor who began his career as a child in Yola State, the actor has acted in several movies, but it is his lead role in The Three Windows that made him the popular actor he is now.
11. Bolanle Ninalowo
Bolanle Ninalowo, also known as Nino B is a versatile actor who went from one career path to another before landing in Nollywood. He attained fame and success through his role in the movie Desperate Baby Mama.
12. Chike Daniels
Chike Daniels is a versatile Nollywood actor who caught the attention of fans with the lover boy characters he played in movies. However, his breakthrough came in 2021 with the movie Just A Sin.
13. Eddie Watson
Eddie Watson is another famous Nollywood actor with an impressive filmography, the actor starred alongside Majid Michael and earned a nomination for his role in Somewhere in Africa. By 2012, he became even more famous for his role in the film, Single and Married.
14. Tchidi Chikere
Tchidi Chikere is a renowned Nollywood actor, producer, and director, celebrated for his storytelling skills. Tchidi Chikere has been in the industry for decades and is known for the movie, Professor JohnBull
15. Alex Ekubo
Alex Ekubo is a famous Nollywood actor who has starred in several movies and series over the years. He became famous after his big break in the film Ladies Men and has been a household name ever since.
16. Mike Godson
Mike Godson is a gifted actor who is known best for playing romantic characters. The actor has several movies that made him famous, but the movie that stands out in the trajectory of his fame is the 7 Books of Moses.
17. Jerry Williams
Jerry Williams is a famous actor known for his remarkable talent and versatility in Nollywood films. Jerry Williams has several years of acting under his belt, but it is the blockbuster movie The Chosen King that made him famous.
18. Alex Cross
Alex Cross Chukwuebuka Ajoku is a brilliant actor who has been in the industry for a while, with several movies to show for it. The actor is most known for the movie When Love Lingers, featuring Ray Emodi.
19. Kelvin Ezike
Kelvin Ezike is in the limelight as a young and talented actor, he started off his journey on social media but has fast-tracked to being one of Nollywood’s stars. His most notable movie role is known to be Drunk in Jealousy.
20. Charles Inojie
Charles Inojie is a comedic icon in Nollywood, often known for his humorous roles in family-centered comedies especially The Johnsons. The actor became famous for Desperate Search in 2007, but his most notable role remains Lucky Johnson in The Johnsons.
21. Sam Dede
Sam Dede is a veteran actor who stepped into the acting industry in 1995 and has been on a successful acting path ever since. He became famous for his role in the film Ijele and has since gone on to star in more films.
22. Uzor Arukwe
Uzor Arukwe is a talented Igbo actor who has made waves with his memorable roles in Sugar Rush and other Nollywood hits. The actor gained recognition for his role in the film Sergeant Tutu in 2017.
23. Chidi Mokeme
Chidi Mokeme is a talented Nollywood legend thanks to his formidable acting career and he is also famous for being the host of the reality show Gulder Ultimate Search. The actor is famous for his role in the movies ’76, and Agony of a Mother.
24. Tobi Bakre
Tobi Bakre is a famous personality in the entertainment industry. He became famous for his time on the reality TV show Big Brother Naija, but his acting career is at an all-time high with incredible roles in Sugar Rush, The Rattle Snake, and others which propelled him further into fame.
25. Flashboy
Stephen Emeka Odimgbe, popular as Flashboy, is a notable Nollywood actor known for his charisma and compelling performances in romantic and epic films. According to Legit, the actor first gained popularity after appearing in the 2018 comedy film Big Mess.
26. Maurice Sam
Maurice Sam is an incredible actor with talent and range. He became famous for his role as Acid in the TV series Hustle and for his role in the movie The Big Fat Lie.
27. Somadina Adinma
Somadina Adinma began his career as a child actor and has since grown into a versatile actor. He is best known for his role in the Nollywood film Ordinary Fellows, he’s also won awards for some of his movie roles.
28. Jidekene Achufusi
Jidekene Achufusi, popularly known as Swanky JKA gained international recognition for his lead role as Nnamdi Okeke in Living in Bondage: Breaking Free. This role made him popular and also won him an award and a nomination for Best Actor at the Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards in 2020.
29. Ime Bishop Umoh
Ime Bishop Umoh, also known as Okon Lagos renowned for his comedic roles, remains one of Nollywood’s most beloved actors with over 100 movie titles to his name. The renowned actor is most famous for an Indigenous movie titled Uyai.
30. Williams Uchemba
Williams Uchemba has been acting since he was a child, the actor is also popular for his comedic nature, and the actor is most known for movies such as Sugar Rush.
31. Mr. Macaroni
Adebowale Babatunde Adedayo, widely known as Mr. Macaroni, has comedic skits that have made him a social media sensation, and he is increasingly making his mark in Nollywood. The actor is most known for roles in movies such as Ayinla.
32. Ayo Makun (AY)
Ayo Makun, commonly referred to as AY, is an actor and comedian who is known for his job as a comedian. However, his acting career has also propelled him into fame, and the movie that did just that is 30 Days in Atlanta.
33. Ramsey Nouah
Ramsey Nouah, one of Nollywood’s most iconic actors, rose to fame in Nollywood with movies such as Silent Night, and Fugitive. He starred in these movies with several notable actors and actresses.
34. Jim Iyke
Jim Iyke is a renowned actor known for his prolific roles in the Nollywood industry, the actor is known for a lot of roles such as Between Kings and Queens, Last Flight To Abuja, and so many others.
35. Chigozie Atuanya
Chigozie Atuanya is famous for his ability to bring traditional and modern roles to life in Nollywood. The actor made his screen debut in a 1998 film titled King Jaja of Opobo and has been famous ever since.
36. Enyinna Nwigwe
Enyinna Nwigwe is a famous actor known for roles such as The Wedding Party. The actor acted in a film called Black November alongside world-famous actors like Kim Basinger, Vivica A. Fox, Akon, and Wyclef Jean. In Nollywood, he’s had several roles that made him famous including Badamasi.
37. John Dumelo
John Dumelo is a Ghanaian, who gained fame in Nollywood for his incredible performances in films that will forever go down in history. The actor became famous in 1991 when he played the role of Saka in the film Baby Thief.
38. Frank Artus
Frank Artus, a Liberian actor who has worked to where he is now in Nollywood, started with minor roles till he wrote, directed, and starred in the movie Juetey, he became famous and won awards for the film, and the rest is history.
39. Uti Nwachukwu
Uti Nwachukwu is a TV personality, an actor, and a winner of Big Brother Africa season 5, which made him famous. His career in Nollywood on the other hand, can be attributed to his roles in movies such as The Chnager.
40. Onny Michael
Onny Michael is known for his captivating performances in Nollywood’s epic and romantic dramas but before he became famous, he took several years in the industry and several movies, Some of his most notable movies are Two Hearts, All For Love, and others.
41. Odunlade Adekola
Odunlade Adekola is one of Nollywood’s most popular Yoruba actors, he became famous through the 2003 movie Asiri Gomina Wa and has been able to garner more recognition since then.
42. Femi Adebayo
Femi Adebayo is renowned for his acting roles in over 100 Nollywood movies, the actor has been in the industry for a long time, and he is most known for films such as Ayitale and October 1.
43. Damola Olatunji
Damola Olatunji is a famous and versatile Yoruba actor and producer known for his unforgettable roles in Yoruba films. He became famous for the movie Ojo, which Yomi Fash Lanso directed.
44. Muyiwa Ademola
Muyiwa Ademola, also called Muyiwa Authentic, is a Yoruba actor who is most known for his career as an actor, producer, and director in the Yoruba film industry in Nollywood. The actor is most famous for the Indigenous film Ori
45. Chinedu Ikedieze
Chinedu Ikedieze is in the Nollywood Hall of Fame for his roles in films, the actor became famous for one of his first movies, Aki na Ukwa, which catapulted him to fame and recognition in the industry.
46. Osita Iheme
Osita Iheme starred alongside Chindeu Ikedieze in their most popular movie making both actors famous, same as Ikedieze. Osita Iheme became famous for his role in the film Aki na Ukwa.
47. Nkem Owoh
Legendary actor Nkem Owoh has had a career that started with handling subtitles for an Igbo movie, his career continued until he wrote and produced a film titled Ikuku. This film shot him to long-lasting fame for his portrayal of Osuofia.
48. Chiwetel Agu
Chiwetel Agu is a versatile and renowned actor who started off acting before the inception of Nollywood. The actor was in Nigerian soap operas, and then he carried on to Nollywood, and some of the roles that made him famous include Issakaba.
49. Emeka Ike
Emeka Ike is a veteran Nollywood actor most known for his iconic roles in old Nollywood movies, the actor became famous after his role in Deadly Affair and has since gone on to star in several other movies.
50. Van Vicker
Van Vicker is a popular Ghanaian actor known for his numerous iconic roles in the Nollywood film industry. This Nollywood actor has starred alongside other famous Nollywood actors, and he became famous in Nigeria after movies like My Soul Mate, and Princess Tyra.
51. Mike Ezuruonye
Nollywood’s most renowned actor Mike Ezuruonye will forever be known because of his numerous roles in the Nollywood movie industry, he became after starring in one of the most known Nollywood movies Critical Decision.
52. Nonso Diobi
Nollywood’s Nonso Diobi has an acting career that will forever be remembered by many fans. The actor became famous after starring in a feature film called Border Line, and he has been one of Nollywood’s most beloved actors ever since.
53. Ken Erics
Ken Erics Ugo or simply Ken Erics is noted to be a Nigerian film and television actor, writer, producer, and occasional musician. The actor’s 2012 portrayal of Ugo in the movie The Illiterate, is how he became the famous actor he is today.
54. Yul Edochie
Yul Edochie is yet another Nollywood actor known for several roles. The actor became famous in 2007 after appearing with Genevieve Nnaji and Desmond Elliot in the film Wind Of Glory.
55. Nosa Rex
Nosa Rex Okunzuwa, known by his stage name Nosa Rex is a Nigerian film and TV actor who became famous after the hit film Caro, The Iron Bender.
56. Blossom Chukwujekwu
Blossom Chukwujekwu is a Nigerian actor known for several remarkable performances. He played a romantic role in the movie Flower Girl, and ever since then, he achieved fame and success in Nollywood.
57. Saheed Balogun
Saheed Balogun is a veteran Nollywood actor and filmmaker who has been acting for decades. His acting career has been on a roll ever since he produced his first film titled City Girl in 1989.
58. John Ekanem
Nollywood actor John Tyler Ekanem has been in the industry for several years, and ever since his role in Never Alone, the actor has been known as a breakout and fast-rising star in the world of Nigerian films.
59. Gbenro Ajibade
Gbenro Ajibade is well known for his lead role in the TV series Tinsel, to add to the list, the actor became famous for his roles in Gbomo Gbomo Express and The Wages.
60. Adeniyi Johnson
Adeniyi Johnson’s rise in fame came after his role in the television series Tinsel, as well as other Nollywood English films and Yoruba films. The actor has been on a successful career path ever since then.
61. Olu Jacobs
Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs popularly known as Olu Jacobs is often called the Igwe of Nollywood, because of his revered status in the Nollywood industry. The actor has been in the game for decades, and one of his most notable roles was in Oloibiri.
62. Pete Edochie
Pete Edochie is a veteran actor known for some of the most incredible roles ever to be seen in Nollywood. The actor became famous in Nollywood after his role as Okonkwo in the movie Things Fall Apart.
63. Kanayo O. Kanayo
Kanayo O. Kanayo is yet another legendary and renowned actor who will forever be known in the world of Nollywood. The actor became famous after his role in Living In Bondage and has delivered even more amazing performances ever since.
64. Clem Ohameze
Clem Ohameze is a veteran Nollywood actor who had his breakthrough role in 1999 when he featured in a movie that was noted to be big-budgeted. The movie is titled Endtime, and Ohameze went on to star in more Nollywood films.
65. Ugezu J. Ogezu
Ugezu J. Ogezu is a renowned actor, producer, director, scriptwriter, filmmaker, musician, songwriter, and singer. The actor rose to fame after he played a role in the movie Made in Cambridge.
66. Kenneth Okonkwo
Kenneth Okonkwo is a renowned actor who rose to stardom in 1991 when he featured in the movie, Living in Bondage. Another notable role that shot him up to fame is a soap drama called Ripples.
67. Jide Kosoko
Jide Kosoko is a veteran actor known for his legendary roles in the film industry. The actor is noted to have gained fame in 1992 after releasing his self-produced film known as Asiri Nla.
68. Richard Mofe Damijo
Popularly known as RMD, Richard Mofe Damijo has been an iconic actor in Nollywood and is still going. The actor rose to fame playing a villain called Segun Kadiri in the hit drama Checkmate.
69. Segun Arinze
Segun Arinze is a legendary Nollywood actor known for his roles in Nollywood. The actor became famous for playing Black Arrow in the movie Silent Night.
70. Zack Orji
Zack Orji is popular for his roles in the Nollywood industry with movies such as Glamour Girls, but it is his role in the 1991 Nollywood film Unforgiven Sin that first skyrocketed him into Nollywood fame.
71. Desmond Elliot
Desmond Elliot has been a fan favorite in Nollywood since he first started acting. However, it is his role in the film Missing Angel, that brought him into the limelight.
72. Tony Umez
Veteran Nollywood actor, Tony Umez achieved notoriety with his impressive roles in Nollywood. He became famous after his role in Died Wretched which propelled him to fame.
73. Bucci Franklin
Onyebuchi Franklin Odurukwe became famous as a TV and on-air personality, but his journey in Nollywood took his fame to a whole new level, especially with the movie Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story.
74. Kunle Afolayan
Kunle Afolayan is a well-known filmmaker who has created some of the biggest movies in Nollywood. The Figurine and Phone Swap are some of the movies that shot him up to fame in the industry.
75. Lateef Adedimeji
Lateef Adedimeji is a Nollywood actor and producer who has several Nollywood titles under his belt. This actor and filmmaker became famous after starring in the 2013 movie Kudi Klepto.
76. Femi Branch
Femi Branch is a Nigerian actor and director who is popular in the Nollywood industry for his great deal of talent and dedication. The actor appeared in the role of Oscar in a soap opera titled Domino, which made him famous.
77. Frederick Leonard
Frederick Leonard is a leading actor in Nollywood for a reason. His ability to bring characters to life in a way that is in-depth and meaningful always shines through. He became famous for his role in the movie Indian Doctor, where he portrayed the character perfectly.
78. IK Ogbonna
Ikechukwu Mitchel Ogbonna known as IK Ogbonna is a Nollywood star who is known for playing roles in romantic films. The actor became famous after his first few roles, with Love Lorn being one movie that stands out in his journey to fame.
79. Browny Igboegwu
Brown Ifeanyi “Browny” Igboegwu is a Nigerian actor known for his range in the industry, even though he’s stated that he got into acting by accident. The actor became famous for his role in the 2005 film Marry Me, which he starred in alongside Nollywood stars like Nonso Diobi.
80. Michael Okon
Michael Okon started off his journey as a model and radio presenter before venturing into acting, the actor became famous after his first role in the movie Fragile Pain, which he acted in 2004.
81. Francis Duru
Veteran Nollywood actor, Francis Duru has been in quite several Nollywood movies over the years. The actor became famous in the Nollywood industry in 1995 after starring in a movie titled Rattle Snake, where he played the character Ahanna.
82. Basketmouth
Bright Okpocha whose stage name is Basketmouth is a popular comedian who has just gotten his way into acting. Basketmouth became famous for comedy, but most recently, he made his debut in the film A Ghetto Love Story.
83. Charles Okocha
Popularly known as Igwe 2Pac, Charles Okocha got his nickname and his claim to fame through the movie Wasted Years, where he played an unforgettable and hyperactive character.
84. Bovi Ugboma
Bovi Ugboma is a highly talented, famous comedian and actor who became famous for his comedy, and then eventually got his feet wet with acting, and became famous for his movie role in It’s Her Day, a romantic comedy that was successful in the Nigerian box office.
85. Walter Anga
Walter Anga is a well-known Nollywood Actor who has starred in several blockbuster movies such as Mission Impossible, the actor became famous after featuring in the Nollywood blockbuster movie New Jerusalem.
86. Gentle Jack
Gentle Jack is a popular Nollywood actor who became famous for starring alongside Genevieve Nnaji in 1998, for the Nollywood movie Vuga. Ever since then, he’s starred in several Nollywood movies.
87. Kelvin Ikeduba
Kelvin Ikeduba is a Nollywood actor who is famous for acting in ‘bad boy’ roles, this has propelled him to Nollywood fame, with one of his famous roles being Omo Alhaja, which is a Yoruba movie.
88. Sylvester Madu
Sylvester Madu is a big Nollywood actor who is most known for some of his movie roles in movies such as Days of My Wedding, To Love An Angel, and so on.
89. Kunle Remi
Kunle Remi became famous after he won the hit reality TV show, The Gulder Ultimate Search in 2010. He ventured into the world of acting in Nollywood movies and appeared in roles in shows like Tinsel, which gave him even more fame.
90. OC Ukeje
OC Ukeje is another notable actor in Nollywood who became famous for winning a reality show. In his case, it was the Amstel Malta Box Office. The actor’s first appearance on the movie screen was for a movie called White Waters with stars such as Joke Silva, he became more popular ever since.
91. Gideon Okeke
Gideon Okeke is a famous Nollywood actor who became famous for his time in Big Brother Nigeria in 2006, then in 2008, he became a series regular on the show Tinsel, which is how he became famous in the world of acting.
92. Joseph Benjamin
Joseph Benjamin is a Nigerian actor and TV presenter whose dedication and talent shines through. His breakthrough film roles came with movies such as Kiss and Tell, Tango With Me, and Married but Living Single
93. Daniel K. Daniel
Daniel K Daniel, popularly known as DKD is a popular Nollywood actor who has been in commercials and even on billboards. The actor’s breakthrough role came in 2014 when he starred in the film Mummy Dearest.
94. Pere Egbi
Pere Egbi is an actor who rose to fame for his time on Big Brother Nigeria. Pere Egbi’s career has kept on reaching new heights ever since with movies such as The Silent Intruder, he even went on to bag the lead role of Aminu in the popular series The Mens Club.
95. Kalu Ikeagwu
Kalu Ikeagwu is a British Nigerian actor who has always been famous for his ability to portray complex characters. The actor had his breakthrough role with the 2006 film 30 Days, which was directed by Mildred Okwo.
96. Daniel Etim Effiong
Daniel Etim Effiong is a multi-talented actor and filmmaker who is still making waves in the industry to this very day. The actor became famous quite early on in his career, with roles in movies such as New Money.
97. Timini Egbuson
Timini Egbuson might be Nollywood’s new resident bad boy, but he has shown time and time again that he has range. The actor became famous for his role in the show Tinsel and also for his award-winning performance in the film Elevator Baby.
98. Chidi Dike
Miracle Chidi Dike became famous the moment he began working with Ruth Kadiri. The actor has been in several films, but it’s movies like Mine Forever that made him famous and showcased his talent.
99. Olumide Oworu
Nollywood actor Olumide Oworu began acting when he was six in the popular TV show Everyday People. The actor became famous for his role as Weki in the MTV show Shuga, and ever since then, he’s starred in big productions such as Far From Home.
100. Clinton Joshua
Clinton Joshua is quickly becoming one of Nollywood’s most popular actors. Joshua rose to fame after acting in the movie When Angels Meet, and ever since then, he’s been on a high in the Nollywood industry.
