- Giving life to a character is some old Nollywood actors with a flair
- Many breathed life into this character so much so that viewers had no doubts that it was their real personalities
- Reminiscing on the nostalgic screen wonders of the old Nollywood era, TheRadar curated 10 legendary actors who killed the ‘bad boys’ roles
Old Nollywood as we like to call it, one can take the nostalgic rush of memories it gives every time you think about the films of that era.
From the early ‘90s to the 2000s, these movies shined with their storytelling, captivating acting skills and most of all, lessons that linger till date.
For old Nollywood movies, there were actors who made action films worth looking forward to. Brimming with the right attitude, these actors breathed life to make the action genre memorable.
From ‘State of Emergency,’ to ‘Oloibiri,’ old Nollywood has an array of power-packed and unforgettable action films.
As part of its throwback series, TheRadar spotlights 10 actors who killed their roles as ‘bad boys’ or gangsters in old Nollywood action movies.
10 Nollywood actors who killed ‘bad boys’ roles in old films
- Richard Mofe Damijo (RMD)
While many would say that RMD was more popular for his romantic side in old Nollywood films, he also has commendable performances in action films. In movies like Oloibiri, To Rise Again, Darkest Night and Amadas, RMD played his bad boy character as perfect, believable, cruel and violent.
- Saint Obi
You probably can't think of Saint Obi, without his badass screen performance on ‘State of Emergency.’ He was a likeable action character viewers found endearing and always rooting for. He was the real swag for what a bad boy was in old Nollywood films.
- Hanks Anuku
I remember watching Hanks Anuku films. For every film I've ever seen him, there was likely none where he didn't play gangster or ‘bad boy.’ His menacing look and how he speaks just make him believable. In old Nollywood action films, Hanks brought the brutality and ferocity to his bad boy character.
- Segun Arinze
Delivering his bad boy roles in Nollywood titles, ‘Silent Night’ and ‘Darkest Night,’ Segun Arinze is another unforgettable actor that made old Nollywood action films nostalgic. His eyes and gangster leader attitude was enough to frighten anyone. He created memorable villain characters.
- Gentle Jack
Think of dominating physical features, bulging muscles and intimidating facial expressions, what else does a bad boy need? Appearing in old Nollywood films like Vuga, Azima and Darkest Night, Gentle Jack proved himself as an action star.
- Sam Dede
Sam Dede honestly can be synonymous with the Issakaba film at this point. As the leader of the vigilante group, he delivered an unforgettable role as a ferocious, clever, tough, charismatic and believable action film.
- J.T Tom West
- Chidi Mokeme
- Jim Iyke
- Sambasa Nzeribe
Throwback Thursday: 10 nostalgic Nigerian TV series only millennials would remember
There are so many things to reminisce about Nigeria especially with the challenging times we are currently in, which spurred TheRadar’s previous report.
TheRadar took a trip down memory lane to highlight some of the old and classic favourite Television series in Nigeria in the 90s and early 2000s.
