Chiwetalu Agu
Chiwetalu Agu on the set of Aghugho Anyaukwu
Born1956 (age 67–68)
Enugu State, Nigeria
NationalityNigerian
Other namesOkpantuecha
CitizenshipNigerian
OccupationActor
SpouseNkechi
Children5
AwardsNollywood Movie Awards Best actor in an Indigenous movie

Chiwetalu Agu listenⓘ (born 1956) is a Nigerian actor.[1] He won the 2012 Nollywood award for 'best actor in indigenous movie (non-English speaking language)'.[2] His usage of specific language slangs, phrases or clichés in many films has made him uniquely a household name in Nigeria and among Nollywood fans in general.[3] While asserting that comic genres is a unique vehicle in projecting Nigerian culture globally as well as establishing the Nollywood brand, Agu is listed as one of the outstanding comedians who have contributed to the development of Nollywood comic genres by Prof. Femi Shaka of the University of Port Harcourt.[4] Agu is married to Nkechi and has three sons and two daughters.

Early years

Agu's versatility dates back to the transition of Nigerian television soap operas to Nollywood movies. Before the inception of Nollywood, about 31 years ago, television soap opera was the order of the day and Agu featured in Nigerian Television Authority Channel 8 Enugu's Ikoro, produced by Joe Onyekwelu. He also featured in ETV Channel 50, now ESBS.[5] in soaps like Baby Come Now and Ripples (in Lagos), produced by Chico Ejiro's brother, Zeb; in the latter he played the character of Chief Abunna.

Filmography

There is a record of at least about 150 movies in which Agu has been cast.[6]

YearFilmRoleNote
Last Ofalla 1-4
TabooIchie Ogwu
2002 Old School
1986Things Fall Apart
Ripples
2008Return of Justice By Fire
Traditional Marriage 1 & 2
Fire on the Mountain 1 & 2
Price of the Wicked
Dr. Thomaswith Sam Loco Efe
The Priest Must Die
The Price of Sacrifice
The Catechist
Police Recruit
Sunrise 1 & 2
Old School 1-3
Honorable 1 & 2
Sounds of Love 1 & 2
Nkwocha
Across the Niger
The Plain Truth 1 7 2
Sounds of Love 1 & 2
Church Man 1 & 2 Ukpabi
Holy Anger 1 & 2
Evil Twin with Pete Edochie
Beauty and the Beast 1-3
Royal Messengers 1 & 2
Royal Destiny 1 & 2
2007 Burning kingdom 1 & 2
The Maidens with Clarion Chukwurah
Battle of the Gods 1 & 2
2018 The Ghost and the Tout
2017 The Wedding Party 2 with Adesua Etomi
2019 Ordinary Fellows[7] Mr. Mgbu a film by Lorenzo Menakaya
2019 She Is chief Amosun
2022 De jumbled[1] Alaka directed by Benneth Nwankwo
2022 Aghugho Anyaukwu [8] Ubachi directed by Uzoma Sunday Logicman

Videography

Year Title Director Ref
2016 Agbommma (cameo appearance) Tchidi Chekere [9]

Controversies

Agu has raised controversies with comments where he has said that he will act for a good price[10] and described the sexual harassment alleged in Nollywood as an issue with a general phenomenon. He added "Nollywood actresses are well endowed".[11] See also interview in The Daily Independent.[12]

On 7 October 2021, Chiwetalu Agu was arrested by soldiers at Iweka Bridge in Onitsha, and[13][14] spent a night in custody before the National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria secured his release from the Nigerian Army[15][16][17][18][19] after questioning. He was arrested after he was spotted wearing an outfit depicting the flag of Biafra.[14]

Nominations

Awards

  • Agu was the winner in the first ever Nollywood Movie Awards 2012 for 'the best actor in an indigenous movie: non English speaking language' for his role in Nkwocha.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 "AMAA Nominees and Winners 2009". Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  2. 1 2 "Nollywood Movie Awards 2012". Archived from the original on 18 November 2012. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  3. ↑ Nigeria Films news "I'll act for good price-chiwetalu agu". Archived from the original on 9 November 2011. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  4. ↑ Supple Magazine "nollywood: reconstructing the historical and socio-cultural contexts of the Nigerian video film industry". Retrieved 27 December 2012.
  5. ↑ Cooper-Chen, Anne (2005), p106 Global entertainment media: content, audiences, issues LEA's communication series. Routledge. 2005. ISBN 0-8058-5169-0.
  6. ↑ IMDb "chiwetalu agu movies". Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  7. ↑ "Wale Ojo, Somadina Adinma and Chiwetalu Agu star in "Ordinary Fellows," new Nollywood movie produced by Lorenzo Menakaya » YNaija". YNaija. 7 August 2019. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  8. ↑ "Aghugho Anyaukwu» Imdb". Imdb. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  9. ↑ "Kcee Patience Ozorkwor, Chiwetalu Agu, star in singer's 'Agbomma' video". Pulse.com.gh. David Mawuli. 24 September 2015. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
  10. ↑ Nigerian Voice "I'll act for good price-chiwetalu agu". Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  11. ↑ Nigeria Films news "sexual harassment: nollywood actresses are well endowed-chiwetalu agu". Archived from the original on 31 October 2012. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  12. ↑ Daily Independent "Acting has opened door for me". Archived from the original on 27 October 2012. Retrieved 29 December 2012.
  13. ↑ "BREAKING!!! Nollywood Actor, Chinewtaluagu Agu Arrested By Nigerian Army – Igbere TV". igberetvnews.com. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  14. 1 2 "IPOB: Outrage as Nollywood Actor Chiwetalu Agu spends first night in military custody". Punch Newspapers. 8 October 2021. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  15. ↑ "Breaking: AGN, Ohanaeze secure release of Chiwetalu Agu – P.M. News". Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  16. ↑ Nwosu, Annie (8 October 2021). "Chiwetalu Agu finally released by Nigerian Army". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  17. ↑ "IPOB: Popular Nollywood actor, Chiwetalu Agu, released from army custody". 8 October 2021. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  18. ↑ "Army releases Chiwetalu Agu". Vanguard News. 8 October 2021. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  19. ↑ "BREAKING: Nigerian Army Releases Veteran Actor, Chiwetalu Agu Detained For Wearing Biafra Outfit". Sahara Reporters. 8 October 2021. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  20. ↑ Daily Times "Nollywood movie Awards set hold". Archived from the original on 16 March 2013. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
  21. ↑ African Movie News "African Movie news". Retrieved 11 December 2012.
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