LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- Veteran Nollywood actor Pete Edochie has made a bold statement about his place in the Nigerian film industry, saying he is “bigger” and does not consider any of his colleagues to be on the same level as him.
The 79-year-old actor made the remark during a recent appearance on comedian Isbae U’s online show, Curiosity Made Me Ask.
When Edochie was asked to name his favourite actor during the interview, the veteran actor explained why he could not do so.
“I don’t have a favourite actor because I am bigger than all of them,” Edochie said.
He also addressed claims from some actors who have suggested that they have been in the industry longer than him.
According to the veteran, he has chosen not to engage with such claims.
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“People have been writing that they are older than me in the industry, but I don’t respond,” he stated.
Edochie was then asked about actors who believe they are on the same level as him.
The veteran did not shy away from the challenge, inviting anyone who holds that opinion to publicly declare it.
“Whoever said they are of the same level with me should come out and say it,” he said.
Edochie pointed to his long history in acting as part of the reason for his position.
He revealed that he started acting long before Nollywood became the name associated with Nigeria’s film industry.
“I started acting before Nollywood was created in 1992,” the actor revealed.
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Edochie recalled his first stage appearance, saying he featured in The Merchant of Venice in 1962 when he was only 15 years old.
“I first appeared in The Merchant of Venice in 1962, at the age of 15,” Edochie said.
The actor also pointed to an international moment in his career, claiming he is the only person to have appeared in a film that prompted white people to travel to Nigeria specifically to interview him.
“I’m the only person who has done a film that made white people fly to Nigeria just to interview me,” Edochie added.
The veteran actor also reacted to the description of him as a legend. Although he admitted that he was unsure about how people define the title, he mentioned that he was pleased to receive the recognition.
“I don’t know the definition of people’s legend, but I’m glad to be celebrated,” he noted.
Known for his iconic proverbs, Edochie remains one of the most recognizable faces in Nigerian cinema.
His career stretches back decades, with his early work predating the emergence of Nollywood as a major film industry.
