- Nollywood actress Funke Akindele has proven that comedy comes easy for her
- The outstanding actress known for her comic expressions in films have 5 awards as a testament
- Here, TheRadar spotlights 6 times she has delivered memorable comic characters
Many consider playing the similar character in movies a stereotype but most often than not it makes actors prominent to deliver stellar performances in such roles.
Comedy for Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele is something that her fans love her for —not too forced but effortless.
Winning the Africa Magic Choice Awards (AMVCA) for Best Actress in a Comedy role five times is no small feat but the award-winning actress has that to her credit.
For her role as Jenifa in Jenifa, she won AMVCA for Best Actress in a Leading Role in 2009. The talented actress further reprised the role in 2015 with a series adaptation titled Jenifa’s Diary.
Her stellar comic performances further clinched her the Best Actress in a Comedy at the 2016 and 2017 AMVCA. Akindele won the same category in 2020 and 2022, making it her fifth win—the most awarded in Nollywood.
Funke Akindele has indeed established herself as an icon and solidified herself as an influence in the Nollywood industry.
6 comic characters played by Funke Akindele
In this article, TheRadar, spotlights 6 notable and memorable characters that makes Funke Akindele a comedy goddess.
- Angelina - The Return of Sheri Koko (2014)
The movie directed by Amayo Uzo Philips follows the story of a troublesome wife who makes her husband’s life miserable by constantly arguing with him and depriving him of his marital rights. Funke Akindele’s role as Angelina was a comic relief despite the evil she perpetrated on her husband. Her performance won the Best Actress in a Comedy at the 2014 AMVCA.
- Olaide Adeetola - Moms at War (2018)
Moms at War is a 2018 comedy drama film directed by Omoni Oboli. Funke Akindele played Olaide Adetola. The plot revolves around two mothers who live in the same neighbourhood but hate each other. As one of the mothers, the crazy and funny antics of Funke Akindele gave comic relief to viewers. In 2020, the talented actress won the Best Actress in a Comedy for her role in Moms at War.
- Lefty- Omo Ghetto: The Saga (2020)
This is a Nigerian gangster comedy film co-directed by Funke Akindele in 2020. The film became a box office success as the highest-grossing Nigerian film for 2020. It received positive reviews to the delight of fans and critics. Playing Lefty, Akindele solidified her comedy prowess yet didactic character. This role won the Best Actress in a Comedy in 2022 at the AMVCA.
- Yejide - Battle on Buka Street (2022)
Produced and directed by Funke Akindele, Battle on Buka Street is another film where the actress gave a memorable comedy performance. As Yejide, she rivals with her half-sister played by Mercy Johnson. It is funny chaos to watch them get on each other’s nerves entertaining viewers.
- Jenifa - Jenifa (2008)
You know the success and memorability of a well-developed and delivered character when it replaces the real actor. The audience forgets their real names and chooses to adopt their character name instead. Think of Nkem Owoh as Osuofia and Babatunde Omidina as Baba Suwe. Funke Akindele, who plays Jenifa in the movie of the same title, is an unforgettable character. This was her breakthrough movie in 2008, received by many fans and critics because of the comic and relatable traits of the characters. Beyond that, Funke Akindele gave life to the character.
- Jenifa - Jenifa’s Diary (2016)
Playing a similar role as the original feature, 46-year-old Funke Akindele also took viewers on a comic ride on her Jenifa’s Diary series. This role further made her memorable and fans soon adopted the character name in reference to her. Many till date would probably need to check for her real name but they remember her character Jenifa. In 2016 and 2017, Akindele won her second and third AMVCA awards with Jenifa’s Diary as the Best Actress in Comedy.
5 times Timini Egbuson played ‘lover boy’ in a lead role
Earlier, TheRadar reported that with Timini Egbuson, there seem to be no ‘carryovers’ in his delivery of an apt and captivating ‘lover boy’ role. Though stereotyped, he passes with flying colours.
The 36-year-old award-winning actor, who started his acting career in 2010 as a hobby, has appeared as ‘lover boy’ in Unexpected Places, Big Love, Love is Yellow, Dinner at My Place and Breaded Life.
