Meet 20 Living Legends In The Yoruba Movie Industry

• How They Have Remained Very Active

Nollywood, the Nigeria film industry, has been the home of immense talent, creativity, and cultural expression for decades now and has given rise to some of the most iconic actors. These men have not only entertained millions but also become symbols of Nigeria’s vibrant culture. Over the last 10 years, Nollywood has experienced tremendious growth, and new faces have emerged in the industry. However, that is not the case for some Nollywood oldies who have proved that age and time only make things better.

These notable male actors are above 70 with years of experience of over 40, yet they have continued to take on challenging and impressive acting roles both on the big and small screens.

This week we present to you 20 male living legends who are still very active in the movie industry. Enjoy your readings.

CHARLES OLUMO

Number one on our list is no other but the oldest Nollywood veteran actor, Alhaji Abdulsalam Sanyaolu a.k.a. Charles Olumo also known as Agbako. It will interest you to know that this 101 years old legend is still very active. He still memorises scripts and jumping up at every point in time to dramatise for us when we paid him a visit. He was recently spotted at Kunle Afolayan’s film Village, where he was given roles to play in his forthcoming production.

Alhaji Abdulsalam Sanyaolu began acting at the age of 7 in 1953 at a church in Lagos and he is still active.

LERE PAIMO

Chief Lere Paimo, is a legendary actor, filmmaker, producer and director popularly known as Eda Onile Ola. He began acting in the 1960s after he joined Oyin Adejobi Theatre Group and later he joined Duro Ladipo Theatre Group. He was also recently spotted at Kunle Afolayan’s film Village. He also told us when we visited him in Ibadan that he is working on Ogbori Elemosho Reloaded for Cinema. Undoubtedly, this 85 years old actor is still bouncing and taking roles.

ADEBAYO SALAMI

Salami popularly known by his stage name, Oga Bello, is undoubtedly a living legend. He is a Nigerian actor, filmmaker, movie producer and director. At 72, Oga Bello is still very much active in the industry. Aside appearing recently in the blockbuster movie of his son, Femi Adebayo’s Ageshinkole,  he still goes to film locations back-to-back. He is presently working on many projects. He told us few days ago that he is starting a shoot of 10 episodes of short movies in the coming week.

It will also interest you to know that Oga Bello clocked 60 years on stage this year.

BABA WANDE

Kareem, is a legendary actor, producer and writer. He is popularly known as Baba Wande. He is 79 years and still very active. As at the time of compiling this list, Baba Wande was at a movie location with actor Yomi Fash, Aisat Lawal etc. Alhaji Kareem, rose to stardom in 1995 after he starred as Oloye Otun in the movie titled “Ti Oluwa Ni Ile”.

Baba Wande, started acting since 1962 till date.

TUNDE KELaNI

Tunde Kelani, popularly known as TK is a Nigeria filmmaker. In a career spanning more than 4 decades, TK specialises in producing movies that promote Nigeria’s rich cultural  heritage and have a root in documentation, archiving, education, entertainment and promotion of the culture.

Tunde Kelani, is 76 years old and still bouncing, moving from one country to another, promoting Nigeria’s culture till date.

PRINCE JIDE KOSOKO

Prince Jide Kosoko, is obviously the busiest of them all, grabbing both English and Yoruba movie roles. Prince Jide, is over 70 years now and still very active. As an actor and producer, Prince Jide Kosoko, has featured in over 300 movie productions and still counting.

Just like Adebayo Salami, Prince Jide also started his career in 1964 and still bouncing.

KOLA OYEWO

Kola Oyewo, is a veteran and living legend. A dramatist and scholar. He is still very much active in moviedom at 78. He was also spotted at KAP fillm Village few weeks ago. This living legend dazzled us when we paid him a courtesy visit.

He was dishing out the lines he acted in 1975. Very sound and articulate. The University Lecturer began acting as a professional in 1964, after he joined the Oyin Adejobi Theatre Group.

PETER FATOMILOLA

Peter Fatomilola, is a veteran stage and screen actor. A dramatist, poet and prolific playwright. The actor who is best known for playing a priest in most Yoruba movies has been grabbing roles with ease since he began acting over 5 decades ago. He is 78 but not slowing down a bit.

BABATUNDE BAMGBODE

Alhaji Babatunde Bamgbode popularly known as Fokoko, is another active veteran actor and producer who is not slowing down at all.

He became popular with  his stage name Fokoko, in the movie “Obuko” produced by Ayo Ogunsina a.k.a. Papalolo.

Fokoko, is over 70 but doesn’t look it a bit and his acting career is over 60 years, as a matter of fact he joined theatre in 1960 after his elementary school before he started with his boss Olanrewaju Adepoju.

AYO OGUNSANYA

Ayo Ogunsanya a.k.a. Papalolo is another living legend who is aging gracefully. Hardly will you  know that he is 87 years old of age. He still looks so fresh and fit. He was also spotted at Kunle Afolayan’s production 3 weeks ago.

Papalolo, is a very successful Nigerian comedian. A member of the Awada Group and he performed alongside Tajudeen Gbadamosi (Jacob), and Kayode Olaiya (Aderupoko) on Nigerian Television for most of the 1980s. He got into acting through joining late Hubert Ogunde Theatre Group in the 1960s.

KAYODE OLAIYA

Kayode Olaiya, is a comic actor. He is popularly known as Aderupoko and Baba Jenifa. He is 77 years old but doesn’t look it a bit. His career started when he was invited to be the Anchor of a storytelling programme on the Western Nigeria Television/Western Nigeria Broadcasting Service in 1966. He still joggles from one location to another doing what he knows best till date.

His outstanding achievements earned him several prestigious awards and still counting.

TUNBOSUN ODUNSI

Baba Tunbosun Odunsi, is another living legend in the industry is proud of anyday anytime. He is 81 years old and still very active.

Baba Amoye’s journey into make believe world started over 6 decades ago and he is not slowing down till date.

SAMSON ELUWOLE

Samson Eluwole popularly known as Jinadu Ewele, is also a well known veteran actor with over 40 years experience in the movie production. He began performing professionally in 1969 and still very active at 74 joggling location back-to-back.

SUNDAY OMOBOLANLE (ALUWE)

Sunday Omobolanle a.k.a. Papi Luwe, is a Nigerian comic actor, playwright, film director and producer for over 5 decades now. He is one of the veteran actors aging gracefully.

He is still very active moving from one location to another.

Papi Luwe, is 70 and he does not look tired any bit.

IFAYEMI ELEBUIBON

Chief Ifayemi Osundagbonu Elebuibon, is a Yoruba and Nigerian writer, poet, author, linguist and a world famouis Ifa priest. He is the Araba of Osogboland.  His plays and films have received worldwide acclamation for his pursuit of the preservation of Yoruba culture and heritage.

He also serves as a travelling Lecturer in several institution including the department of African Language and Literature at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Black Studies at the San Francisco State University and the Wajumbe Cultural/Institution in California till date.

KOLA OLAIYA

Kola Olaiya, is an actor and Production Manager who has spent over 6 decades in the industry. He is 78 years and still very active. He has featured in many Nollywood movies and still counting.

BIG ABASS

Chief Adedamola Ajiboye, popularly known as Big Abass, is a movie actor, director and producer. In 1970 people called him Mr. Star Builder.

God has blessed him with good health as he is still very active as a movie director and actor till date.