Ifeanyi Kalu (pronunciation) is a Nigerian television and film actor, model and fashion designer.[1] He is best known for his role in the movie Lagos Cougars where he starred alongside Uche Jombo, Monalisa Chinda, Alexx Ekubo[2] and the Africa Independent Television (AIT) series Allison's Stand alongside Joselyn Dumas, Bimbo Manuel, and Victor Olaotun.[3][4]

Ifeanyi Kalu
Born
Ifeanyi Kalu

(1988-02-13) 13 February 1988 (age 36)
Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria
NationalityNigerian
CitizenshipNigerian
Occupation(s)Actor, Model, fashion designer
Years active2010 – present
SpouseNicolette Ndigwe
Websitewww.ifeanyikalu.com

Early life

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Kalu was born in Surulere, a suburb in Lagos State, southwestern Nigeria. Kalu is of Igbo heritage from Imo State in the eastern part of Nigeria.[1] He studied Computer science in the university.[5]

Personal life

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Kalu married filmmaker Nicolette Ndigwe in 2021.[6]

Career

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Kalu began his career as a model, appearing in television and billboard commercials.[7] In 2011, he enrolled in the Royal Arts Academy to study acting.[5] His breakout screen role was in 2012, when he was cast in the role of Usen in the movie Kokomma produced by Uduak Isong Oguamanam and directed by Tom Robson. The movie received 3 nominations at the 9th Africa Movie Academy Awards.[8]

In 2014, his roles in the movies Lagos Cougars and Perfect Union earned him a City People Awards nomination for Most Promising Actor,[9] an award he was again nominated for in 2017.[10] In 2019 he received another nomination from City People Awards for Best Supporting Actor,[11] and in the same year, he was nominated for and won the Best Supporting Actor award at the United Kingdom-based Zulu African Film Academy Awards (ZAFAA), for his role in the movie Kuvana, where he starred alongside Wale Ojo, Sambasa Nzeribe and Ivie Okujaiye.[12][13]

In 2019, Kalu launched a "ready-to-wear" fashion line tagged Ifeanyi Kalu.[13]

Filmography

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Selected movie roles

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Year Title Role Director Notes
2012 Kokomma Usen Tom Robson Feature Film featuring Belinda Effah, Ekere Nkanga, Ini Ekpe
2013 Lagos Cougars Jite Desmond Elliot Feature Film starring Uche Jombo, Monalisa Chinda, Alexx Ekubo, Shawn Faqua, Daniella Okeke, Ben Touitou
2014 Perfect Union Eke Agbai Uzodinma Okpechi Feature Film starring Wole Ojo, Brycee Bassey, Joju Muse
2015 The Banker Kunle Ikechukwu Onyeka Feature Film featuring Seun Akindele, Mbong Amata, Belinda Effah, Maureen Okpoko, Nsikan Isaac
2016 Double Bind Nosa Emmanuel Akaemeh Feature Film starring Kiki Omeili, Ujams Cbriel, Mary Chukwu
2016 The Novelist Joseph Patience Oghre Imobhio Feature Film featuring Rykardo Agbor, Bayray Mcnwizu, Kehinde Olorunyomi, Labelle Vitien, Frank Paladini
2017 You, Me, and the Guys Koje Williams Esther Abah Feature Film featuring Lota Chukwu, Linda Ejiofor, Seun Akindele, Abayomi Alvin, Jude Orhorha
2017 3 is a Crowd Bayo Desmond Elliot Feature Film starring Tana Adelana, Desmond Elliot, Lilian Esoro, Alexx Ekubo, Eddie Watson, Cgris Akwarandu, Hauwa Allahbura
2018 Drowning Kay Charles Brain Nnoshiri Feature Film starring Mary Lazarus, Nazo Ekezie, Jide Kosoko, Jibola Dabo
2018 Almost a Virgin Ricardo Phillips Akin – Tijani Balogun Feature Film starring Bimbo Ademoye, Emem Ufot, Chioma Okafor, Nonso Kalango, Gifty Powers
2018 Will You Marry Me Uzor Emmanuel Mang Eme Feature Film featuring Ruth Kadiri, Wole Ojo, Stella Udeze, Peggy Ovire
2019 Lurikos Michael Edward Uka Feature Film featuring Bolanle Ninalowo, Tamara Eteimo, Christian Paul
2019 Tea Room Billy Okey Ifeanyi Feature Film starring Kenneth Okolie, Lota Chukwu, Calista Nwajide
2019 Kuvana Mendas Edward Uka Feature Film featuring Wale Ojo, Sambasa Nzeribe, Ivie Okujaye, Stella Udeze
2019 Red Obsession Temisan Esosa Egbon Feature Film starring Yvonne Jegede, Moyo Lawal, Georgina Ibeh, Wole Ojo
2020 Just Before Dark Tolu Okey Ifeanyi Also starring Nazo Ekezie, Ella Mercy, Sammy Umoren
2021 Black Friday Morris Ozioma B. Nwughala Also starring Bimbo Ademoye, Adams Hope
2022 Judas Tony Chukwuma Emma-Ogbangwo Also starring Tamara Eteimo, Joel Evans, Stan Nze
2023 Adire Thomas Also starring Kehinde Bankole, Yvonne Jegede

Television roles

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Year Title Role Director Notes
2014 Allison’s Stand Allison (Lead) Peace Osigbe, Yemi Morafa (film boy) TV series
2016 Desperate Housegirls Shawn (Lead) Sunkanmi Adebayo, Akin – Tijani Balogun TV series on IrokoTV featuring Ini Edo, Belinda Effah, Deyemi Okanlawo, Bimbo Ademoye, Uzor Osimkpa, Uzor Arukwe
2017 Cougars Dubem Ikechukwu Onyeka, Akin – Tijani Balogun TV series with Nse Ikpe Etim, Joselyn Dumas, Empress Njamah, Ozzy Agu, Monalisa Chinda
2017 Head over Heels Lead Ejiro Onobrakpor TV series

Awards

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Year Event Prize Result
2013 Nollywood Movie Awards Best rising star Nominated
2014 City People Awards Most promising actor Nominated
2015 Zaris Fashion and Style Academy Hall of Fame Won
2017 Royal Arts Academy Award of Excellence Won
City People Awards Most promising actor Nominated
2018 HYPP Festival of Talents Recognition Award Won
2019 City People Awards Best supporting actor Nominated
ZAFAA Awards Best supporting actor Won[13]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Ifeanyi Kalu has a Crush on Genevieve Nnaji". Thisday Newspaper. Lagos, Nigeria. 30 June 2018. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  2. ^ "Omoni Oboli, Alex Ekubo, Julius Agwu, Desmond Eliot others attend Premiere of Lagos Cougars". TheNetNG Newspaper. Lagos, Nigeria. 23 November 2013. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  3. ^ "Watch Joselyn Dumas, Victor Olaotan, others in season 2". PulseNG. Lagos, Nigeria. 3 December 2014. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  4. ^ "Season Two of 'Allison's Stand' for Premiere On Sunday". Daily Independent via Allafricanews. Lagos, Nigeria. 4 December 2014. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  5. ^ a b "Lessons Laernt from Acting". Punch Newspaper. Lagos, Nigeria. 24 February 2019. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  6. ^ "Actor Ifeanyi Kalu ties the knot with Nicolette Ndigwe - P.M. News". Retrieved 2 August 2022.
  7. ^ "Ifeanyi Kalu". Thisday Newspaper. Lagos, Nigeria. 30 June 2018. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  8. ^ "Film".
  9. ^ "Meet the Nominees for City People Awards". Pulse NG. Lagos, Nigeria. 6 September 2014. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  10. ^ "City People Releases Nomination List For 2017 Movie Awards". City People Magazine. Lagos, Nigeria. 8 September 2017. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  11. ^ "Nominations for City People Awards (English)". city people magazine. Lagos, Nigeria. 24 October 2019. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  12. ^ "Zafaa 2019 Nominees". zafaa.org. Lagos, Nigeria. 6 November 2019. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  13. ^ a b c "Ifeanyi Kalu's Strides Across Facets". Thisday News. Lagos, Nigeria. 21 December 2019. Retrieved 23 December 2019.