10 Nollywood Actors Who Started Out Well But Haven’t Really Kicked On

BY EVELYN OLUBUKOLA

Year in, year out, Nollywood opens its wide doors to new and promising actors and actresses. The exceptional talents and skills some exhibit often enable them to stay relevant and garner various awards in the industry while some are quick to fizzle out after one or two movies. 

Here’s a quick list of actors whose fresh faces and daring roles made us label them “acts to watch out for” but unfortunately, have gradually taken several seats at the back.

CHELSEA EZE

Chelsea Eze is an actress who began acting professionally in 2009 and came into prominence through her first Nollywood movie, Silent Scandals, which earned her several awards including Most Promising Actress, AMAA 2010, Best Upcoming Actress, ZAFAA AWARDS 2010. She also featured in Hoodrush, Two Brides And A Baby, Murder At Primel Suites and others.
CHUKS CHYKE

Chuks Chyke, full name Chukwuemeka Chibuikem Okoroafor is an actor who showed interest in acting while he was still in Primary School, but not until year 2000 did he get his first major break in the movie, The Patriot. When Chuks emerged, he was a darling actor to producers and directors. He played challenging roles and featured in several flicks; Strive, Broken, Breaking Secrets, As Crazy As It Gets, The Switched and M-Net TV soap, Tinsel. Remember the guy who tries to surprise his fiancee in the latest Airtel advert? 

OLAIDE OLAOGUN

Olaide Olaogun, an actress, former beauty model and fashion entrepreneur started her acting career in 2005 and went on to win the Face Of Luxury in 2007. Olaide started off with popular TV soap, Superstory as Rachel in Omoye, she also starred in several Nollywood films such as A New Song, Lion Of Mogun, Hands Of A Stranger, The Promise and lots more. She had a stint in M-Net soap, Tinsel and in 2009, she began a now defunct TV show Soul Sisters’ Show alongside Kehinde Bankole and Sylvia Udeogu.

LISA HENRY OMORODION

Lisa Henry Omorodion made her acting debut in 2015’s First Cut, a movie produced by her production company, Platinum Studios, and directed by Chico Ejiro. She also appeared in Schemers, Ikogosi and others.

PAUL VICKS ASOGWA

Paul Vicks Asogwa ventured into Nollywood in 2006 when he starred in award-winning Amstel Box Office movie, Sitanda. He was proficient in artistic delivery and further featured in movies like Torment My Soul, Power Quest and popular TV series, Domino.

SOLA ASEDEKO

Sola Asedeko is best known for her lead role in Tunde Kelani’s Abeni. She began acting in 2006 and got a lead role in two award-winning movies Ayeni and The Narrow Path. She was sultry actress who featured in several Nollywood movies and soap opera before she stepped aside to become a mother.

ZUBBY MICHAEL

Zubby Michael became passionate about acting at a very tender age from the children’s stage in Yola. He starred in several movies Princess Rihanna, Royal Storm, Blood On Fire, The Generals and others. He played the lead in major productions and was loved for his versatility and hard work.

SYLVIA UDEOGU

Sylvia Udeogu is a model and actress who entered the industry in 2007 when she appeared in the hit Superstory series Everything It Takes and Bayo Alawiye’s Hoodrush. In 2013, she starred as Tubaba’s love interest in the remake of Victor Olaiya’s classic song Baby Mi Da and we thought that would be her comeback year, instead she crawled back into her shell.

SHIRLEY IGWE

Shirley Igwe is a former delta soap beauty model and principal protocol officer to the Imo State governor for two years. She is charming and once ‘promising’ actress known for her role in The Last Digit.

TESSY ORAGWA

Tessy Oragwa was a promising actress who carved a niche for herself in the industry with movies such as Sisterhood Of Darkness, Black Pan Paddy, Tower Of Covenant, Holy Serpent. She is best known for starring as Sylvia in the popular TV drama series, So Wright, So Wrong.