Chiwetalu Agu
Chiwetalu Agu (Enugu, Nigeria, 1956) is a veteran Nollywood actor,[1] comedian and movie producer who won the 2012 Nollywood award for 'best actor in indigenous movie (non-English speaking language)'.[2] His usage of specific language slang, phrases or clichés in each film has made him uniquely a household name in Nigeria and among Nollywood admirers abroad.[3] While asserting that comic genres is a unique vehicle in projecting Nigerian culture globally as well as establishing the Nollywood brand, Agu is listed as one of the outstanding comedians who have contributed to the development of Nollywood comic genres by Prof. Femi Shaka of the University of Port Harcourt.[4] Agu is married to Nkechi and has three sons and two daughters.
Early years
Agu's versatility[5] dates back to the transition of Nigerian television soap operas to Nollywood movies. Before the inception of Nollywood, about 31 years ago, television soap opera was the order of the day and Agu featured in Nigerian Television Authority Channel 8 Enugu's Ikoro, produced by Joe Onyekwere. He also featured in ATV Channel 50, now ESBS.[6] in soaps like Baby Come Now and Ripples (in Lagos), produced by Chico Ejiro's brother, Zeb; in the latter he played the character of Chief Abunna.
Acting career
Being one of the foremost actors in Nollywood, Agu's ingenuity is unique as an actor because of his wit, humor, invention of specific clichés, customized phrases or slang in every film.[7] For his numerous fans, he is fun to watch any day.
What amazes most watchers is how he combines his well-disciplined life with the wicked or devilish roles he acts in films. Even though Agu has the versatility to play the roles of comedian, wicked or tricky person, he sometimes finds it difficult to reconcile his lifestyle with the negative roles he plays, admitting that he sometimes shed tears for his characters.[8]
Filmography
There is a record of at least about 150 movies in which Agu has been cast.[9]
| Year | Film | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last Ofalla 1-4 | |||
| Taboo | Ichie Ogwu | ||
| 1986 | Things Fall Apart | ||
| Ripples | |||
| 2008 | Return of Justice By Fire | ||
| Traditional Marriage 1 & 2 | |||
| ;;;;;; | Fire on the Mountain 1 & 2 | ||
| Price of the Wicked | |||
| Dr. Thomas | with Sam Loco Efe | ||
| The Priest Must Die | |||
| The Price of Sacrifice | |||
| The Catechist | |||
| Police Recruit | |||
| Sunrise 1 & 2 | |||
| Old School 1-3 | |||
| Honorable 1 & 2 | |||
| Sounds of Love 1 & 2 | |||
| Nkwocha | |||
| Across the Niger | |||
| The Plain Truth 1 7 2 |
| Sounds of Love 1 & 2 | |||
| Church Man 1 & 2 | Ukpabi | ||
| Holy Anger 1 & 2 | |||
| Evil Twin | with Pete Edochie | ||
| Beauty and the Beast 1-3 | |||
| Royal Messengers 1 & 2 | |||
| Royal Destiny 1 & 2 | |||
| 2007 | Burning kingdom 1 & 2 | ||
| The Maidens | with Clarion Chukwurah | ||
| Battle of the Gods 1 & 2 |
Videography
- This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
| Year | Title | Director | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Agbommma Cameo appearance | Tchidi Chekere | [10] |
Controversies
Agu has raised controversies with comments where he has said that he will ask for a good price[11] and described the sexual harassment alleged in Nollywood as an issue with a general phenomenon. He added "Nollywood actresses are well endowed".[12] See also interview in The Daily Independent.[13]
Nominations
- In the first Nollywood Movie Awards in 2012: Agu was nominated for 'the best actor in indigenous movie for his role' in Nkwocha.[14]
- Zulu African Film Academy Awards (ZAFAA London) 2011: Agu's role in The Maidens earned him nomination for 'the best supporting actor'.[15]
- In the 2008 4th annual African Movie Academy Awards for his role in Across the Niger Agu was nominated for 'the best actor in a supporting role.'.
Awards
- Agu was the winner in the first ever Nollywood Movie Awards 2012 for 'the best actor in an indigenous movie: non English speaking language' for his role in Nkwocha.[16]
References
- ↑ "AMAA Nominees and Winners 2009". Retrieved 2013-08-01.
- ↑ "Nollywood Movie Awards 2012". Retrieved 7 Jan 2013.
- ↑ Nigeria Films news "I'll act for good price-chiwetalu agu". Retrieved 8 Jan 2013.
- ↑ Supple Magazine "nollywood: reconstructing the historical and socio-cultural contexts of the Nigerian video film industry". Retrieved 27 Dec 2012.
- ↑ Ghana Visions "nollywood movie actors-chiwetalu agu". Retrieved 8 Jan 2013.
- ↑ Cooper-Chen, Anne (2005), p106 Global entertainment media: content, audiences, issues LEA's communication series. Routledge. ISBN 0-8058-5169-0.
- ↑ Nairaland "slang of chiwetalu agu-celebrities-Nairaland". Retrieved 1 Nov 2012.
- ↑ National Mirror online "I shed tears for my wicked role in movies-agu". Retrieved 8 Jan 2013.
- ↑ IMDb "chiwetalu agu movies". Retrieved 8 Jan 2013.
- ↑ "Kcee Patience Ozorkwor, Chiwetalu Agu, star in singer's 'Agbomma' video". Pulse.com.gh. David Mawuli. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
- ↑ Nigerian Voice "I'll act for good price-chiwetalu agu". Retrieved 7 Jan 2013.
- ↑ Nigeria Films news "sexual harassment: nollywood actresses are well endowed-chiwetalu agu". Retrieved 10 Nov 2012.
- ↑ Daily Independent "Acting has opened door for me". Retrieved 29 Dec 2012.
- ↑ Daily Times "Nollywood movie Awards set hold". Retrieved 23 Dec 2012.
- ↑ African Movie News "African Movie news". Retrieved 11 Dec 2012.
- ↑ AMAA "noollywood movies awards NMA nominees". Retrieved 5 Jan 2013.