Alex Usifo (born 16 April 1953) is a veteran Nigerian actor.[1]
Alex Usifo Omiagbo | |
|---|---|
| Born | 16 April 1953 |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Citizenship | Nigerian |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1984 till present |
| Notable work | End of the Wicked |
Career edit
Usifo auditioned at different media houses including Radio Nigeria Lagos, Voice of Nigeria, NTA Ilorin etc. He made it to the top list, but was dropped because of ‘Quota System’. He was unemployed for years. On the invitation of his friend/brother Peter Okun, Alex attended a Deeper Life Crusade, where he desperately asked God for a change in his condition, and he got an answer: ‘look inwards’.[2]
His acting career kicked off in 1984 when he played a major role in the tele-movie The Return of the Native. He took lead roles in Natas and Two People.[citation needed] He started attending NTA, Victoria Island to take part in the weekly series At Your Service. He was part of NTA productions: Echoes of Life, and Turning Wheel, between 1984 and 1987.[citation needed]
Recognition came in 1988 when he starred in Zeb Ejiro's soap opera, Ripples. Usifo portrayed Talaab Abass. The show broke ground in television because few soap operas existed. Talaab Abass was a villain. Alex interpreted the character with bulging eyes and a baritone voice.[3]
Usifo made a name for himself long before Nollywood came into existence. He participated in stage plays including Awero. This was staged at the National Theatre, Iganmu. He appeared in Ola Rotimi's Our Husband Has Gone Mad Again! also staged at the National Theatre. He featured in radio and films.[4]
Recognition edit
Usifo won awards locally and internationally, including:
- Best Actor - African Collaboration; RLG Ghana Movie Awards 2012
- Best Actor – Ripples; Legends of Nollywood Awards
- AETV London and EHIGLAD Entertainment Presentation
- Lifetime Achievement Award; Nollywood Christian Fellowship 2012
- Excellent Achievement in the Movie Industry; Niger Delta Awards [2009]
- Outstanding Achievement in Nollywood; Bells University Awards
- Award for Excellence in Artistic Creativity; Achievers’ Intl. University and Educational Network
- Peace and Development Award 2013; YELL/Advocacy Magazine & Partnership for Women and Justice
- Distinguished Award for Excellence; Rotaract Club of Sagamu
- Inspirational Award; United Nations Council of Churches & Ministerial Fellowship
- Award for Excellence and Exemplary Living; Omega Fire Ministries
- The Snapshots Award; Covenant Christian Centre
- Award of Recognition; Calvary Bible Church
- Bridge Builder Awards; Winners’ Youth Ministry, Badagry
- Award for Leadership Excellence in Nollywood Movies – El Shaddai Ministries Intl.
- Nollywood Icons Award – Nigerian Film Corporation.[5][6][7][8]
Filmography edit
- End of the Wicked (1999)
- Okoro the Prince
- Strong Men at Work
- Trumpet of Death
- Who am I?
- Final Point
- The Guilty
- Azima
- Silent Night
- Desperadoes
- My Love
- Classical Fraud (with Ufuoma Ejenobor)
- Dangerous Sisters (with Genevieve Nnaji and Dakore Akande)
- Enakhe (2020)[9]
- The Black Book (with Richard Mofe-Damijo and Sam Dede) (2023)
References edit
- ^ "Alex Usifo: The Making of A Nollywood Veteran". P.M. News. 27 February 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
- ^ "alex usifo tribe". MirageMiami. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
- ^ "I'm returning with Ripples - ZEB EJIRO". Vanguard News. 17 August 2012. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
- ^ Gists, Naija. "How Nollywood Legend Alex Usifo Made A Name For Himself". Retrieved 11 July 2021.
- ^ "My shaved hair, my identity – Alex Usifo". vanguardngr.com. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
- ^ "NOLLYWOOD STAR ACTOR, ALEX USIFO OMIAGBO TURNS LECTURER AT BABCOCK UNIVERSITY". elendureports.com. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
- ^ "Alex Usifo blasts govt over insincerity". vanguardngr.com. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
- ^ "Top 5 Nollywood Actors Of All Time". newsinnigeria.org. Archived from the original on 19 August 2014. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
- ^ "Here are all the reasons why we love 'Enakhe'". Pulse Nigeria. 16 October 2020. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
External links edit
- Alex Usifo at IMDb