Ngozi Ezeonu (Ngozi Ikpelue, born May 23, 1965)// is a veteran Nigerian actress and former journalist notable for her portrayal of archetypal matriarchs in Nollywood movies.[1][2][3] In 2012, she starred in Adesuwa, a role that earned her the Best Supporting Actress nomination at the 8th Africa Movie Academy Awards[4]

Ngozi Ezeonu
Ngozi Ezeonu In "Family Secret", 2016
Born
Ngozi Ikpelue

1965 May 23rd
Imo, Owerri
NationalityNigerian
EducationJournalism from Nigerian Institute of Journalism
Alma materNigerian Institute of Journalism
OccupationActress
Known forReprisal of mother figures
Awards2012, Africa Movie Academy Awards

Early life

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A native of Ogbunike in Anambra State, Nigeria. Ezeonu was born in Owerri to Dennis and Ezenwanyi Ikpelue, and has six siblings. She was born in a low income household.[5] Prior to finding fame as an actress, she studied Journalism at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism and worked for Radio Lagos and Eko FM.[6]

Education

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The Actress had her Primary and Secondary Education in Owerri.[7] She later enrolled for a Diploma Course in Journalism at Nigeria Institute of Journalism (NIJ) Lagos.[8]

Career

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Although best known for her maternal roles, She once worked as a hairstylist. [9]Ezeonu was originally cast as younger characters at the start of her acting career. In 1993, veteran film director Zeb Ejiro offered Ezeonu a supporting role as Nkechi, the antagonist's best friend in the Igbo blockbuster Nneka the Pretty Serpent in 1994. This was followed by her role in Glamour Girls the same year as Thelma, a high society mistress.[10] This movie proved that she can versatile in acting. [11] She has acted in over 200 movies in Nollywood. She has been honored for her efforts towards the growth of Nollywood.[12] She is the Sun Nollywood Icon of the Year for 2023.[13]

Personal life

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The Actress was once married to Edwin Ezeonu with whom she had four children (Ogechukwu Edwina, Chidera, Melveen)[14] with.[15] In 2012, she was honored with a Chieftaincy Title "Ada Ife", which literally means ‘daughter of light’ by His Royal Highness, C.F.N Ezerioha III, in her hometown of Ihiteoweri,  Imo state.[1]

Filmography

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She has featured in more than 150 Nollywood films. Among them:

1994 – 2007

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  • Ada Vigilante
  • End of Ada Vigilante
  • Evil Project
  • Senseless
  • Best Honeymoon
  • Enslaved
  • Definition of Love  
  • My best friend
  • End of a Princess
  • Glamour Girls (1994)
  • Nneka The Pretty Serpent (1994) as Nkechi
  • Mark of the Beast (1999) as Mrs. Modupe
  • Wasted Years (2000) as Sarah
  • I Swear (2004) as Obidiya
  • Occultic Kingdom (2005)
  • Abuja Top Ladies (2006) as Winnie
  • The Love Doctor (2007) as Kathy
  • Royal Grandmother 1 and 2 (2007) as Philomena

2008 – 2016

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  • Tears in My Eyes (2008)
  • Throne of Tears 1, 2 and 3 (2008) as Lolo
  • My Darling Princess (2008)
  • Tears of a Prince (2009)
  • Sister Mary and Ossy (2009)
  • Stone Face (2009)
  • Secret Shadows 1 and 2 (2010) as Mrs. Okafor
  • Wise In-Laws (2010)
  • A Private Storm (2010) as Mrs. Jibuno
  • Adesuwa (2012)
  • Shattered Mirror (2012) as Chief's wife
  • August Meeting (2012) as Angela
  • The Kings and Gods (2012)
  • Broken Engagement (2013)
  • Palace War (2014)
  • Tears of a Virgin (2014)
  • Luscious Lucy (2016)
  • Tears of the Innocent (2016)
  • Zenith of Sacrifice (2016)
  • Heritage (2016)

2017 – 2019

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  • Tears and Glory (2017)
  • Child of Pain (2017)
  • Tell Me Why (2017)
  • Pretty Little Thing (2017) as Mrs. Ezulike
  • Family Secret (2017)
  • A Better Family (2018) as Teresa
  • Lion Heart (2018) as Chioma Obiagu
  • Confessor (2018)
  • Dorathy (2018) as Philomena
  • Agony of a Sister (2018) as Lolo Dibugo
  • Different Worlds (2019) as Queen
  • Onye Ndu (2019) as Mama
  • Seed of Destruction (2019)
  • Dusted Crown (2019)
  • Crazy Princess (2019)
  • On All Sides (2019)
  • Run Away From Love (2019)
  • If Trouble Comes (2019)
  • Making a King (2019)
  • Death Bed (2019) [16]
  • Three Brothers (2019) [17]

2020 – 2023

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  • Nkasi my flesh and blood
  • Prince Decision
  • A Dance to Forget (2020) as Teresa
  • Gone (2021) as Gloria
  • Agunnia the Warrior (2021)
  • Sign the Will (2021) as Rebecca
  • When Love Beckons (2021) as Mama Sochima
  • Beautiful (2021) as Mama Iruoma
  • Dirty Reflections (2022) as Augustina
  • Something Awful (2022) as Bella
  • The Dreamers (2022)
  • Made in Love (2023) as Mabel

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Work Result Ref
2012 Africa Movie Academy Awards Best Supporting Actress Adesuwa Won [18]

References

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  1. ^ Mgbolu, Charles (10 September 2013). "Sudden weight loss: 'I am not sick,' cries Ngozi Ezeonu". Vangaurd. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  2. ^ Nkansah, Rexford (21 December 2018). "As Nollywood prepares for its first ever movie awards, ace Nigerian actress; Ngozi Ezeonu, reminisces about the industry". The African Dream. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  3. ^ "Ngozi Ezeonu - Biography". Gist Us. 23 May 2012. Archived from the original on 16 July 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  4. ^ "Ngozi Ezeonu: I Was a Journalist Before I Became an Actress – THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 2024-10-29.
  5. ^ Mine, King Solomon's. "Ngozi Ezeonu - Age, Husband, Wiki and Biography". King Solomon's Mine. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  6. ^ "Ngozi Ezeonu: I Was a Journalist Before I Became an Actress". This Day. 5 November 2015. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  7. ^ Rapheal (2024-01-24). "The Sun Award Winners 2023: Ngozi Ezeonu, Actoress: Nollywood Icon of the year". The Sun Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  8. ^ Rapheal (2024-01-24). "The Sun Award Winners 2023: Ngozi Ezeonu, Actoress: Nollywood Icon of the year". The Sun Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  9. ^ Rapheal (2024-01-24). "The Sun Award Winners 2023: Ngozi Ezeonu, Actoress: Nollywood Icon of the year". The Sun Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  10. ^ Abiodun, Christabel (2012-09-09). "Throwback: Glamour Girls". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  11. ^ Mine, King Solomon's. "Ngozi Ezeonu - Age, Husband, Wiki and Biography". King Solomon's Mine. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  12. ^ Mine, King Solomon's. "Ngozi Ezeonu - Age, Husband, Wiki and Biography". King Solomon's Mine. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  13. ^ Rapheal (2024-01-24). "The Sun Award Winners 2023: Ngozi Ezeonu, Actoress: Nollywood Icon of the year". The Sun Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  14. ^ Chioma, Ella (2020-02-15). "Nollywood stars storm Ngozi Ezeonu's daughter's wedding in grand style". Kemi Filani News. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  15. ^ Mine, King Solomon's. "Ngozi Ezeonu - Age, Husband, Wiki and Biography". King Solomon's Mine. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  16. ^ "Ngozi Ezeonu | Actress". IMDb. Retrieved 2024-06-17.
  17. ^ "Ngozi Ezeonu | Actress". IMDb. Retrieved 2024-06-17.
  18. ^ Ugbodaga, Kazeem (16 January 2021). "Photos: Does Destiny Etiko want to give Ngozi Ezeonu piggyback ride?". P.M. News. Archived from the original on 5 October 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
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