Chief Pete Edochie, MON // ⓘ (born March 7, 1947) [1][2] is a veteran Nigerian actor.[3] Edochie is considered one of Nigeria’s most talented actors, being honored with an Industry Merit Award by Africa Magic and Lifetime Achievement by Africa Film Academy[4] Although a seasoned administrator and broadcaster,[5] he came into prominence in the 1980s when he played the lead role of Okonkwo in a Nigerian Television Authority adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s all-time best-selling novel, Things Fall Apart. Edochie descends from the Igbo people of Nigeria and is a Catholic.[6] In 2003, he was honored as a Member of the Order of the Niger by President Olusegun Obasanjo.[7][8]
Pete Edochie | |
|---|---|
 Pete Edochie | |
| Born | Pete Edochie March 7, 1947 Zaria |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1980-till date |
| Spouse | Josephine Edochie |
| Children | Linc Edochie Yul Edochie |
| Honours | AMVCA Industry Merit Award |
Personal life edit
Edochie was born in Zaria, Kaduna State on March 7, 1947.[9] He hails from Nteje in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State, and is married to Josephine Edochie.[10] He schooled at St. Patrick’s and St. James Primary School, Zaria, before proceeding to St. John’s College for his secondary education.[11] He also schooled at the School of Journalism and Television in England. Edochie celebrated his 70th birthday in 2017, and said he still feels strong despite having spent "3 scores and ten" years. "Taking life easy and planning purposefully for everything makes life worth living as well as ageing gracefully," he said.[12] Pete Edochie is married with six children.
In 2009, Edochie was kidnapped and later released by his captors, unharmed.[13][14]
In September 2017, Edochie endorsed the Wikimedia movement in Nigeria by appearing in a video to increase awareness and use of Wikipedia among the older generations.[15][16]
Career edit
Edochie got into radio broadcasting in 1967 at the age of 20[17] as a junior programs assistant after which he was elevated to the level of a director. He was director of programs but doubling sometimes as Deputy Managing Director and occasionally acting as Managing Director. He quit Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) because the government decided to politicize the affairs of their FM station, thereby resulting in the entire management being asked to move out, including him. He was to be the immediate successor to the MD but had to leave and enroll into the movie industry. Prior to that, he had featured in Things Fall Apart and had won an International Award. The BBC flew into Nigeria to interview him for his role in Things Fall Apart.[1] He is credited with over 18 movies to his name.[18]
In 2005, the Actors Guild of Nigeria placed Edochie and several other actors, including Genevieve Nnaji, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Nkem Owoh, Ramsey Nouah, Stella Damasus Aboderin, and Richard Mofe Damijo on a one-year ban from filming after they were said to have been collecting huge fees from producers due to their A-list celebrity status.
Filmography edit
- Heavy Battle (2008)
- Test Your Heart (2008)
- Greatest Harvest (2007)
- Secret Pain (2007)
- Fair Game (2006)
- Holy Cross (2006)
- Lacrima (2006)
- Living with Death (2006) .... Mr. Harrison
- Passage of Kings (2006)
- Simple Baby (2006)
- Zoza (2006)
- Azima (2005)
- Baby Girl (2005)
- End of Money (2005)
- Living in Tears (2005)
- Never End (2005)
- No More War (2005)
- Ola... the Morning Sun (2005)
- Price of Ignorance (2005)
- The Price of Love: Life Is Beautiful (2005)
- Sacred Tradition (2005)
- The Tyrant (2005)
- Across the Niger (2004)
- Coronation (2004)
- Dogs Meeting (2004) .... Anacho
- Dons in Abuja (2004)
- The Heart of Man (2004)
- King of the Jungle (2004)
- Love from Above (2004)
- My Desire (2004)
- Negative Influence (2004)
- The Staff of Odo (2004)
- St. Michael (2004)
- Above Death: In God We Trust (2003)
- Arrows (2003)
- Billionaire Club (1999)
- Egg of Life (2003)
- Honey (2003)
- Love & Politics (2003)
- Miserable Wealth (2003)
- The Omega (2003)
- Onunaeyi: Seeds of Bondage (2003)
- Rejected Son (2003)
- Selfish Desire (2003)
- Super Love (2003)
- Tears in the Sun (2003)
- Tunnel of Love (2003)
- When God Says Yes (2003)
- Battle Line (2002)
- My Love (2002)
- Tears & Sorrows (2002)
- Greedy Genius (2001)
- Holy Ghost Fire (2001)
- Terrible Sin (2001)
- Oduduwa (2000)
- Set-Up (2000)
- Chain Reaction (1999)
- Lost Kingdom (1999)
- Narrow Escape (1999)
- Living in Darkness (1999)
- Rituals (1997)
- Things Fall Apart (1987), TV series
- Last Ofalla
- Lion throne
- Lion of Africa[19]
- Igodo
- Evil men
- Monkey chop banana
- Idemili
- 50 days with Christ
- The Egg
- Unroyal (2020)
- Lionheart (2018)
- Mummy Why (2016)
References edit
- ^ a b Ololade, Olatunji (20 June 2009). "Life, pain and Pete". The Nation. Lagos, Nigeria: Vintage Press Limited. Retrieved 6 September 2011.
- ^ "Biography". Pete Edochie, Official Website. Archived from the original on 26 February 2012. Retrieved 6 September 2011.
- ^ "Your performance brought spotlight to Nigeria, Africa, Buhari greets Pete Edochie @75". Punch Newspapers. 2022-03-07. Retrieved 2022-03-12.
- ^ Njoku, Benjamin (25 November 2011). "Pete Edochie, alive". The Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
- ^ Umejei, Emeka (21 August 2009). "Pete Edochie - Bearing the Brunt of Captivity". AllAfrica.com. Retrieved 6 September 2011.
- ^ Okachie, Leonard (13 June 2010). "Unholy Admiration - Fans Tear Pete Edochie's Dress Inside Church". AllAfrica.com. Retrieved 6 September 2011.
- ^ "Pete Edochie at 70: Celebrating Nigeria's movie icon". Premium Times. March 8, 2017. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
- ^ "I'VE BEEN ACTING SINCE I WAS 15 –PETE EDOCHIE". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
- ^ Mutuku, Ryan (2020-11-26). "Pete Edochie biography: wife, children, net worth, movies, latest updates". Tuko.co.ke - Kenya news. Retrieved 2021-08-21.
- ^ Osaji, Sharon (2022-10-02). "Pete Edochie, wife celebrate anniversary, May sparks reactions". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
- ^ "Pete Edochie: Biography, Education, Career, Wife and Children, Net Worth, Achievements and Controversy". 8 September 2022.
- ^ "I am feeling strong at 70, says Pete Edochie". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2021-02-24.
- ^ "Actor Pete Edochie Kidnapped, Ransom Paid, Now Released – UPDATED". bellanaija. 17 August 2009. Retrieved 26 October 2016.
- ^ "Pete Edochie kidnapped". Vanguard News. 2009-08-17. Retrieved 2022-07-27.
- ^ "Veteran actor returns as Okonkwo in new skit "Things Fall Together" [Video]". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
- ^ "Pete Edochie, Emmauella star in Wikipedia campaign (VIDEOS INCLUDED)". Daily Trust. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
- ^ Jamiu, Adeyinka, "Peter Edochie: Facts You Probably Didn't know about him", YeYePikin Movie Blog, 9 September 2015.
- ^ "Pete Edochie". IMDb. Retrieved 2020-08-31.
- ^ "Lion of Africa". LegitNG. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
External links edit
