Wale Ojo
NationalityBritish-Nigerian
CitizenshipUnited Kingdom, Nigeria
Alma materUniversity of Hull, (Drama, 1986)
Occupations
  • actor
  • producer
  • director
Years active1976–present
Known forPhone Swap (film)

Wale Ojo (Listenⓘ) is a British Nigerian actor. He started as a child actor in television. He subsequently continued acting roles in the UK and Nigeria.[1][2] He came into prominence in 1995 for his role in The Hard Case. He won the award for Best Actor at the 2012 Nigeria Entertainment Awards for this leading role in Phone Swap,[3][4] and has been featuring in several movies ever since.

Early life and education

Ojo was acting professionally as a child. At the age of 8, he worked with Akin Lewis, who played a barber on the NTA Ibadan 1980s television series Why Worry. At age 12, he moved with his family to England, where he also attended university.[5]

Ojo credits his career on influences from his mother, who was an actress and supportive of his career,[6] Chief Wale Ogunyemi, Tunji Oyelana, playwright Wole Soyinka, and Zulu Sofola.[5]

New Nigeria Cinema

Ojo founded New Nigeria Cinema, whose aim is to improve the quality of Nigerian films. New Nigeria Cinema hosted a film viewing and lectures at the British Film Institute in London in 2010.[7][8]

Career performances

TV programs

Year TV Program Role Notes
1989 Behaving Badly Jim Television mini-serial
1998 – 2000 Heartburn Hotel Chidi Ekechi Television serial
2009 The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (TV series) Kebone Legodimo[9]
2012 - 2016 Meet the Adebanjos Mr. Bayo Adebanjo British-Nigerian sitcom from 2012 to 2016.[10]
2014 Tinsel (TV series) Nosa[11] Long-running Nigerian soap opera
2018 Black Earth Rising Dr. Emmanuel Musoni[12] BBC Two production
2021 Foundation Professor Arren Sorn[13] Apple TV's sci fi series
2022 Blood Sisters Inspector Joe Netflix original series

Films

Year Film Role Notes
1995 The Hard Case The gambler Short film
1999 Rage Pin Ojo's first feature film debut. He plays a schizophrenic gangster.[14]
2011 Johnny English Reborn President Chambal
2011 The Guard Doctor Oleyuwo[15] Irish buddy film starring Brendan Gleeson, Don Cheadle.
2012 Phone Swap Akin Also featured Nse Ikpe Etim, Joke Silva, Chika Okpala, Lydia Forson and Hafeez Oyetoro. This was Ojo's first feature film in Nigeria.[16]
2012 Big Man
2013 Half of a Yellow Sun Chief Okonji Historical film featuring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Thandie Newton, Onyeka Onwenu, Anika Noni Rose, Joseph Mawle, Genevieve Nnaji, OC Ukeje and John Boyega.[17]
2014 A Letter from Adam Adam Romance starring Lydia Forson (who also wrote the screenplay), Naa Ashokor Mensah Doku, Akorfa Edjeani, Albert Jackson, Fred Kanebi, Jeff Kumordzie and Louie Lartey.
2014 Render to Caesar Pade Crime thriller also featuring Gbenga Akinnagbe, Omoni Oboli and Bimbo Manuel
2014 When Love Happens Oladele Laguda Romantic comedy featuring Weruche Opia as Moduroti (Mo) Bankole-Smith
2015 8 Bars and a Clef Felix Mensah Film about a musically gifted recording artist dealing with dyslexia.[18]
2015 Fifty Kunle Stars Iretiola Doyle, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Dakore Egbuson
2016 Ayamma: Music in the Forest Prince Daraima
2016 Betrayal Funbi Written and directed by Darasen Richards. Also starring David Jones David and Theresa Edem.[19]
2016 The CEO Kola Alabi
2016 Ojukokoro Mad Dog Max This crime film is also known as Ojukokoro: Greed and includes an ensemble cast.
2016 White Colour Black Monsiour Dabo Also starring Dudley O’Shaughnessy as the main character.[20]
2017 Alter Ego Timothy
2017 Sand Castle Ayade Also starring Mary Uranta and Sylvia Edem.
2017 Ghost of Tarkwa Bay Nigeria's first movie about the art of surfing. Also features Ibrahim Odrago, May Owen, Armando Abraham, and Godspower. This short film marks Wale Ojo's directorial debut.[21][22]
2018 Disguise Theophilus Vaughn
2018 Lara and the Beat Uncle Tunde
2018 New Money Chuka Also stars Jemima Osunde, Kate Henshaw, Blossom Chukwujekwu, Dakore Akande, Osas Ighodaro and Falz d Bahd Guy.[23]
2018 Voiceless Scream Dr. Joel Azubike Directed by Dotun Taylor and also stars Jide Kosoko and Adeniyi Johnson.[24]
2019 Another Father's Day Femi Daniel Sequel to Happy Father's Day film. Directed by Bukola Ogunsola. Also stars Mercy Aigbe.[25]
2019 Coming from Insanity Mr. Martins Crime drama with Gabriel Afolyan, Sani Danja, Dakore Akande, Bolanle Ninalowo, and Damilola Adegbite[26]
2019 Don't Get Mad Get Even Dr. Badejo[27] Ojo's feature film directorial debut. Features Toyin Abraham, Saheed Balogun and Nancy Isime.
2019 Jumbled Mr Sagoe[28] Also stars Femi Adebayo, Eucharia Anunobi Ekwu, Lilian Esoro.
2019 Kasanova Femi[29] Also starring Iretiola Doyle, Toyin Abraham, Ruby Akubueze and Yomi Alvin.
2019 Ordinary Fellows Professor Jega A film by Lorenzo Menakaya
2019 Walking with Shadows Dad Drama also starring Ozzy Agu, Funlola Aofiyebi, Ayoola Ayolola, Zainab Balogun, Riyo David and Ade Laoye.[30]
2020 This Lady Called Life Daddy[31] Stars Bisola Aiyeola, Samuel Asa'ah, and Lota Chukwu.
2021 Silent Murder Also stars Tina Mba, Wole Ojo, Saidi Balogun, Eniola Badmus, Charles Okocha, Bayray McNwizu.[32]
2022 Bloodhound Azusa[33] Also starring Ademola Adedoyin, Abayomi Alvin, Samuel Asa'ah.
2022 Songs of Ubong Ubong Also stars Rhoda Morakinyo. Directed by Owen Olowu. Inspired by the Songs of Solomon.[34]
2022 A Place Called Forward Husband Also stars Fred Amata and Judith Audu. Written by Aboyowa Aby Mene. Directed by Umanu Ojochenemi Elijah.[35]
2022 A Song From the Dark Magnus Williams Also stars Garcia Alicia Brown, Kane Surry, Vanessa Vanderpuye, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Dean Kilbey, Tom Patient, Lola Ogunyemi, Dimeji Ewuoso, Ryan Spong, Dylan McCormack, Octavia Gilmore, Yinka Awoni, Marshall Griffin, Alexander Scrivens, Amy Lally. Written and directed by Ogodinife Okpue.[36]
2023 Breath of Life Timi Johnson Also stars Genoveva Umeh, Chimezie Imo, Bimbo Manuel, Tina Mba, Demola Adedoyin, Sam Dede, Sambasa Nzeribe, and Melly Atari. First Amazon Prime commissioned Nigerian film.[37][38]

Theatre

Year Play Theatre Role Notes
2009 The Sunset Limited[39] Capital Centre, Warwickshire, England Black Michael Gould performed as White

Awards and nominations

Year Event Prize Work Result
2013 Nollywood Movies Awards Best Actor in a Leading Role Phone Swap Nominated[40]
2012 Nigeria Entertainment Awards Best Actor in a Film Phone Swap Won[41]
2015 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards Best Actor in a Comedy Meet the Adebanjos Nominated[42]
2018 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards Best Supporting Actor Betrayal Nominated[43]
2018 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards Best Actor in a Drama Alter Ego Nominated[43]
2022 Africa Movie Academy Award Best Supporting Actor A Song From the Dark Nominated[44]

See also

References

  1. ^ Laju Ayenreka (21 December 2012). "A wife for Wale Ojo". The Vanguard. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
  2. ^ "I started acting 40 years ago with NTA Ibadan wale ojo". Nigeria Entertainment Today. Retrieved 13 May 2017.
  3. ^ "Photos + Full List Of Winners At The NEA". 2012.
  4. ^ Shaibu Husseini (16 July 2016). "Wale Ojo: 'The CEO' and Nollywood's new leading man". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
  5. ^ a b "Wale Ojo: 'The CEO' and Nollywood's new leading man". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 16 July 2016. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  6. ^ "Wale Ojo". Africa Interviews. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  7. ^ Krings, Matthias; Okome, Onookome (27 May 2013). Global Nollywood: The Transnational Dimensions of an African Video Film Industry. Indiana University Press. p. 43. ISBN 978-0-253-00942-5. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  8. ^ Curry, Neil (19 November 2010). "'New Nigeria Cinema' sparks Nollywood renaissance". www.cnn.com. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  9. ^ "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  10. ^ Guide, British Comedy. "Meet The Adebanjos - Netflix Sitcom". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  11. ^ "Wale Ojo sails with Tinsel". Businessday NG. 6 July 2014. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  12. ^ "Black Earth Rising (TV Series 2018) - IMDb". imdb.com. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  13. ^ "Foundation (TV Series 2021– ) - IMDb". IMDb.com. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
  14. ^ "Wale Ojo". IMDb. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  15. ^ "The Guard (2011) - IMDb". IMDb. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  16. ^ "Wale Ojo". IMDb. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  17. ^ "Half of a Yellow Sun: London Review". The Hollywood Reporter. 11 October 2013. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
  18. ^ "8 Bars & A Clef (2015) - IMDb". imdb.com. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  19. ^ Richards, Darasen (16 December 2016). "Betrayal". Blackdrum 360, Darasen Richards Films. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  20. ^ Guest Contributor. "Joseph A. Adesunloye's Feature, White colour Black, Gets UK Premiere at #LFF2016. | The British Blacklist". thebritishblacklist.co.uk. Retrieved 21 March 2021. ((cite web)): |author= has generic name (help)
  21. ^ "New Nigeria Cinema hits National Film Theatre Southbank". African Voice Newspaper. 22 November 2017. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  22. ^ "EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH WALE OJO". Bespoke Event Guide. 7 November 2017. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  23. ^ Daniel, Eniola (21 March 2018). "Veterans, newbies clash in New Money". Guardian. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  24. ^ Taylor, Dotun. "Voiceless Scream". YAE Films. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  25. ^ "Watch Official Trailer for "Another Father's Day" starring Wale Ojo, Cee-C, Mercy Aigbe". BellaNaija. 17 April 2019. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  26. ^ "Coming from insanity ready for public viewing". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 23 March 2019. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  27. ^ Ojo, Wale (3 October 2019). "Don't Get Mad Get Even". RGD Media Productions. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  28. ^ Apanpa, Saheed; Irene, Airebamen. "Jumbled". imdb.com. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
  29. ^ Asurf, Oluseyi (13 September 2019). "Kasanova". Asurf Films. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  30. ^ O'Kelly, Aoife (9 October 2019). "Walking with Shadows". Oya Media. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  31. ^ Kasum, Kayode (15 May 2020). "This Lady Called Life". AzureNoir&Co, Film Trybe. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  32. ^ "Wale Ojo". IMDb. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
  33. ^ "Bloodhound". IMSb. 18 February 2022. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
  34. ^ "The Annual Film Mischief 2022 Awards: 'Songs of Ubong' Wins Grand Cheese Prize, Kelvin Amamize Takes Top Writing Prize". What Kept Me Up. 26 March 2022. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
  35. ^ Nwogu, Precious 'Mamazeus' (18 March 2022). "Check out the official trailer for Umanu Elijah's 'A Place Called Forward'". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
  36. ^ Okpue, Ogodinife. "A Song from the Dark". IMDb.com. Adverto. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  37. ^ Oloruntoyin, Faith (10 September 2022). "Everything We Know About 'Breath of Life', Prime Video's First Commissioned Nigerian Film". What Kept Me Up. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  38. ^ Ritman, Alex (5 August 2022). "Amazon Prime Video Unveils First Nigerian Originals 'Gangs of Lagos,' 'LOL: Last One Laughing Naija' Amid Major Local Push". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  39. ^ Josyph, Peter (2011). "Now Let's Talk about 'The Sunset Limited': An Exchange With Marty Priola". The Cormac McCarthy Journal. 9 (1): 66–86. doi:10.2307/42909426. ISSN 2333-3073. JSTOR 42909426. S2CID 248792088. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  40. ^ "Nollywood Movie Award list nominees for 2013 awards | Nigerian Entertainment Today - Nigeria's Number 1 Entertainment Daily". 26 March 2014. Archived from the original on 26 March 2014. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
  41. ^ "Photos + Full List Of Winners At The NEA". Information Nigeria. 4 September 2012. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  42. ^ "The Latest on New Shows, Channel Launches and More | DStv | AMVCA nominees announced". 17 April 2015. Archived from the original on 17 April 2015. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
  43. ^ a b Onohwosa, Fejiro (2 July 2018). "Complete List of AMVCA 2018 Nominees". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
  44. ^ Husseini, Shaibu (1 October 2022). "AMAA 2022: Focus on Best Supporting Actors nominees". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 6 October 2022.

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