Death they say is inevitable. Whether young, old, rich, poor, or famous, no matter your status in life, everyone is bound to face it someday.
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Like other years that came with the sad news of the passing of some of our favourite Nollywood actors and actresses, 2020 was, unfortunately, one of those years. Some Nigerian actors sadly transitioned to the other side.
In this article, we take a look at Nollywood actors who died in 2020.
1. Chizoba Boye
Veteran actress and filmmaker Chizoba Boye, died on May 10th, 2020, after a brief illness. She was the wife of veteran filmmaker, Sam Boye, and she was a regular face on popular TV series, ‘Tinsel.’
Aside from her role in Tinsel, she was also a producer and presenter. Her Igbo comedy series, ‘Ka Anyi Si Ebi, was a star feature on DSTV’s Igbo Channel.
It was the first Nigerian Igbo Series set in modern-day Lagos. She produced the drama series while her husband directed it.
2. Alkali Matt
On March 24, the Nollywood industry lost Alkali Matt, also known as Dareng, who died while filming on set.
Matt, known for his role in Africa Magic series “Halita” died in Keffi, Nassarawa, and the news of his death was announced on social media by Dimbo Atiya, founder of familiar grounds media who said he died at about 7 pm on the said date.
She said Matt died “suddenly while he was filming on another set for an Epic movie in a village near Keffi.”
”He was one of our much-valued cast…This has come as a rude shock to us all and we pray that the Lord will grant his family the fortitude to bear this great loss,” she wrote.
3. Frank Dallas
The veteran Nollywood actor and production manager died on 19th February 2020 after reportedly suffering cardiac arrest in his hotel room.
The actor, who was popularly known as “Adedibu” or “Killer” in movies, reportedly died in Umuahia, Abia State while attending a summit. He the former public relations officer of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Lagos chapter.
Dallas, who was renowned for his action roles in Nollywood movies, began his acting career in the early 90s. He often starred alongside Jim Iyke and Hanks Anuku in movies. Some movies he featured include ‘Emotional Pains’, ‘A Night to Remember’, ‘Back II Back’, ‘Blind Love’, ‘Sweet Love’ and ‘Hit The Street’.
4. Patience Oseni
Patience Oseni, who became popular for her role in the Nigerian Television series Super Story, is said to have passed on Monday, February 17, 2020, in Calabar, Cross River State.
This was confirmed by Augusta Akomolafe the late Patience Oseni’s daughter, to the National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Ejezie Emeka Rollas.
Speculations were linking the cause of her death to cancer.
The Ogun State-born actress started her acting career in 1995 when she first starred in the movie ‘Deadly Passion.’ She then rose to prominence in Nollywood back in the late 1990s with her role in the movie ‘End Of The Wicked.’
5. Jennifer Omole
The actress passed on in Spain on 3rd January 2020, at the age of 33. She was buried the following evening at Villarejo de Salvanes, Madrid.
The sad news about Jennifer’s death was shared by her close friend and colleague, Uche Ogbodo, on Instagram.
Omole was a member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Spain chapter, where she was based although her friends revealed that she recently moved to the United Kingdom. She hailed from Edo State.
Before her death, Jennifer was a movie producer and CEO of JennisFilms Production Ltd. She produced “Stolen Vow” alongside Uche Ogbodo, Jibola Dabo, Daniel Lloyd, and a host of other Nollywood actors. “Stolen Vow” had UK, Spain, and Switzerland premieres with Uche Ogbodo and the late actress as executive producers.
6. Emilia Dike
The Veteran actress reportedly died on Wednesday, May 20th, 2020, in Enugu after collapsing.
Mr. Okechukwu Oku, a movie director, on May 21, announced the death of the Dike on Instagram.
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According to him, he had worked with Emilia Dike recently and was excited to release the projects only to receive the sad news.
The late Emilia Dike had stared alongside other actors and actresses in movies like “Ignorant couples”, “Dust of yesterday”, “Kings Guard”, “Where Money Never Sleep 1 and 2”, and many more.
7. Rasheed Abu
Earlier in April, the President of Theatre Arts and Movie Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) Bolaji Amusan aka Mr. Latin, confirmed the death of Rasheed Abu.
He is said to have died after he reportedly slumped.
Latin said he was informed that the actor had slumped, but was revived after which he gave up the ghost.
“Yes, he is dead. As the president of TAMPAN, I was reliably informed that he slumped, he was revived and unfortunately died on the way to the hospital.”
Also announcing the death of Abu, his friend, and colleague in the industry, Yomi Gold shared of photo of him, expressing his profound sadness at the passing of his friend.
8. Gbenga Ajumoko
Veteran Yoruba filmmaker and actor, Gbenga Ajumoko died on 22nd March 2020, after battling a chronic ailment.
The actor cum scriptwriter was reported to be critically down with a chronic ailment since 2019. Ajumoko is said to have been in a hospital in Sagamu Remo for 6months, where he was diagnosed with Diabetes and Hypertension.
He solely treated the ailments quietly until things got worse for him. He was later transferred to a private hospital located at Ibadan Garage, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, where he died.
Ajumoko worked as a production manager, actor, writer, and movie director before he died. Some of his works include, known Enikeji (2017), Agbere (2017), Yeye Efun, Wound (2019), Ako Okuta (2018).
9. Yomi Obileye
The veteran actor is said to have died in the early hours of Friday, April 24, after battling with an undisclosed ailment.
The news of his death was announced by actor and comedian, Gbenga Adeyinka, who shared a photo of Obileye in a social media post.
“If tears could build a stairway and memories were a lane, we would walk right up to heaven and bring you back again. “
“Rest In Peace Uncle Yomi OBILEYE. Thanks for the memories. I can’t help but want to watch “HOSTAGES” again. Sleep well Egbon and May God give your family and fans the fortitude to bear the loss”
10. Toyosi Arigbabuwo
Ace Yoruba actor, Toyosi Arigbabuwo, died January 13, 2020, at his residence in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, after he reportedly battled an undisclosed illness for six months.
Arigbabuwo was a veteran actor who featured in many Yoruba movies including Ogborielemosho and Bashorun Gaa, Odun Baku. He was the PRO of the Muslim community in Apete-Awotan-Ayegun and environs in Oyo state.
The chairman of the Muslim Community in Apete-Awotan-Ayegun and environs, Abdulwaheed Amoo, confirmed his death and burial on January 14, 2020.
11. Pa Kasumu
Veteran Nollywood actor, Kayode Odumosu, popularly known as Pa Kasumu, died on the 1st of March 2020, after a prolonged battle with heart failure. The renowned thespian died in a private hospital in Lantoro, Abeokuta in Ogun State. He was 66.
The veteran actor began acting as a teenager. His debut role was in 1968 in a stage play ‘Iyawo Orun’. In 1969, he featured in his breakout play titled ‘Omo Ekere’.
Pa Kasumu was a household name in the Yoruba movie industry until he went off the radar when he was down with Biventricular Heart Failure in 2013.
In an interview with The Punch in December 2019, Pa Kasumu said that his sickness was spiritual. The popular Yoruba actor said all he needed are fervent prayers and not financial aid from well-wishers and well-meaning Nigerians.
In 2017, Pa Kasumu’s health worsened after he got back from a medical trip to India. In 2016, the actor’s condition became so serious that members of his family moved him from his home in Abeokuta to his elder sister’s residence at Aseese.
Odumosu admitted that his health worsened shortly after returning from India, where he had gone to receive treatment for a heart-related ailment that also affected his eyesight and memory, in 2015.
Some of his memorable works include Babie Á (2003), Jesu Mushin (2002), and Sàngó: The Legendary African King (1998).