LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- Veteran Nollywood comic actor Nkem Owoh has shared the surprising story behind his rise to fame, revealing that his successful acting career began by a lucky chance.
The actor, popularly known as Osuofia, disclosed that he never planned to become an actor and initially preferred working behind the scenes.
He was originally a scriptwriter but had the natural ability to make people laugh, a trait that eventually pushed him into the spotlight.
Speaking during a recent episode of the Selah Meditate podcast, Owoh explained that colleagues who regularly witnessed his comedic talent behind the scenes encouraged him to appear in front of the camera.
“My coming in front of the camera was an accident. I was a scriptwriter behind the scenes and people started telling me to start performing in front of the camera,” he said.
READ ALSO: Kunle Afolayan Speaks On Insecurity, Urges Nigerians To Stay Hopeful
According to the Nollywood star, the turning point came in the 1980s when the Anambra Television Authority (ATV) offered him a short comedy programme that showcased his humour.
“I remember ATV created a 7-minute programme for me to do stand-up comedy in the 80s. They told me to come in front of the camera because I was making people laugh behind the camera. With much pressure, I came in front of the camera. And I saw that what I was doing people were buying it so that was how my acting career began,” Owoh recalled.
However, the actor noted that fame has come with sacrifices.
Reflecting on the challenges of celebrity life, Owoh said public recognition has significantly reduced the freedom he once enjoyed before becoming a household name.
“Fame took away my freedom. A lot of people want to be celebrities, they only know the benefits but not the downsides. When you become famous you can’t do a lot of the things you were doing freely before. You become restricted in a lot of ways,” he explained.
Over the years, Owoh has become one of the most recognizable faces in Nigerian cinema, earning admiration for his unique comic style and memorable performances.
