Top 10 Nollywood Actors Who Died In 2022 That Shocked Us (2023)

Nollywood Actors Who Died In 2022: The Nigerian film industry has lost numerous talented actors throughout the years. Although it is always a sad moment when anyone passes away, the deaths of some actors had a more significant impact on the Nigerian film industry.

As we move further into the year 2023, it’s crucial to pay tribute to these individuals who have made significant contributions to the growth and development of Nollywood.

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Let’s take a moment to remember and celebrate the lives of Nollywood actors who died in 2022.

In this blog post, we will look at the talented Nollywood actors who died in 2022, their legacies, and their impact on the Nigerian film industry.

Top 10 Nollywood Actors Who Died In 2022

#1 Adah Ameh

Ada Ameh was a well-known actress in Nollywood who passed away in 2022. On July 17, 2022, Ada Ameh passed away at the NNPC hospital in Warri, Delta State. She was aged 48.

She was reportedly found slumped and taken to the hospital, where her death was confirmed. She posted a video of herself eating lunch with her family a few hours before she passed away.

Ada was a Nigerian actress who spent more than two decades in Nollywood. The actress became well-known for her role as Emu Johnson in the Nigerian television series The Johnsons, which won awards.

Ameh made her acting debut in the lead role of Anita in the 1996 film Domitila. Blood Money, Our Husband, Double Trouble, and Lockdown are among the films she has featured.

On Thursday, August 18, 2022, at Freedom Park in Lagos, the cast and crew of the popular television series “The Johnsons” organized a “Night of Tributes” event in her honor as the lead actress of the show. On Friday, August 26, 2022, she was buried in Otukpo, Benue State, at her father’s house.

#2 Leo Mezie

One of the famous Nollywood actors who died in 2022 was Leo Mezie, whose real name was Leonard Onyemachi. Leo Mezie is an actor, model, author, television personality, businessman, and philanthropist who is well-known in Nigeria.

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On Saturday, May 14, he lost his battle with kidney disease after a prolonged battle. Nollywood star Chioma Toplis posted an Instagram message about the actor’s passing.

After undergoing kidney transplant surgery, he passed away. After starring in the 2003 Nigerian film Labista, he became a household name.

He also appeared in King’s Sleepless Night, Empty Throne, No Man’s Land, Heart of a Slave, and Total War. He has acted closely with Jerry Williams, Emma Ehummadu, and Zack Orji, among others.

#3 Gbenga Richards

Gbenga was a well-known Nigerian actor, director, producer, and performer. On Thursday, May 12, only a week after the death of David Osagie, Nollywood experienced yet another tragedy as renowned actor

Gbenga Richards was reported dead after suffering an unexplained condition. He was born in 1962 and died when he was 60 years old.

According to accounts, the formerly lively actor, who was a force to be reckoned with in the 1990s and early 2000s, suffered from a number of diseases, and getting funds for his treatment proved difficult since he fell on hard times.

In 1977, Richards made his acting debut. He appeared in a number of major film roles, including Sango, Mirror in the Sun, and Betrayed by Love.

#4 David Osagie

Osagie Ogbeosamudia David, better known by his stage name David Osagie, was an accomplished talent manager, screenwriter, producer, and actor in Nollywood.

On May 4, 2022, the experienced actor, 52, unexpectedly passed away while filming on set the day before. Ngozi Ezeh, the actor’s colleague, made the announcement that he had passed away, noting that the actor was not ill but had slept and not awoken the following day.

David was best known for playing a king or an older kinsman in most films. A portion of his movies incorporates The Regal Fight, My Distress, My Aggravation, Agunna, and Lost Fight.

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#5 Chinedu Nwadike

Chinedu Nwadike, whose complete name is Ruler Chinedu Nwadike, was a Nigerian entertainer, evangelist, and gospel vocalist. Furthermore, he was a politician from the nation’s southeast.

The news that Chinedu Nwadike had passed away on March 27, 2022, shocked fans. He had battled with a kidney ailment for some time prior to his death. He appeared in numerous films, including Run Away Prince and Divine Sisters.

#6 Romanus Amuta

When veteran actor Romanus Amuta’s death was announced on February 9, 2022, Nollywood burst into tears. After enduring a prolonged illness, he passed away.

After playing Natty on the popular sitcom New Masquerade in the 1980s, Amuta, 79, became a household name.

The veteran actor is well-known for his roles as title and elder chiefs in various Nollywood films. He sometimes plays the traditional prime minister and chief priest.

Lion Finger was released in 2003, Eagles Bride was released in 2005, and Ijele was released in 1999. The industry was mourning the death of John Adewuni Adewoye, more commonly referred to as Tafa Oloyede, prior to Amuta’s passing.

#7 Lari Williams

Lari Williams, a distinguished Nigerian actor, poet, and playwright, has recently passed away at the age of 81 in his maternal home of Ikom, Cross Rivers State.

Known for his portrayal of Ladipo in Lola Fani Kayode’s celebrated soap opera, “Mirror in the Sun,” Williams rose to prominence as one of Nigeria’s finest character actors, featuring in notable stage and screen productions such as “For Better for Worse,” “Village Headmaster,” and “Adio Family.”

He was also the first actor to perform on top of Zuma Rock in Abuja, wherein he recited his friend Maman Vatsa’s poem “The Bird that Sings in the Rain.”

Williams was the inaugural president of the active Actors Guild of Nigeria and had taught Theatre Arts at the University of Lagos, Lagos State University, and the University of Calabar. His passing marks yet another loss to Nollywood’s community of deceased actors.

#8 Chinedu Bernards

Chinedu Bernards Nwankwo, popularly known as Chinedu Bernards, was a rising star in the Nigerian film industry, hailing from Enugu state.

With her curves and talent, Chinedu was fast approaching the heights of mainstream fame before her untimely demise. On April 29, 2022, the Nollywood actress passed away after collapsing while cleaning the Chapel of St. Leo the Great Catholic Church in Enugu.

Although taken to the East Side Hospital, she was pronounced dead upon arrival. Chinedu had already made her mark in the industry, having acted in several notable films such as The Regret, Royal Bracelet, and Money Fever.

Her death was met with shock and mystery by the President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Emeka Rollas Ejezie, and the broader Nollywood community. Chinedu Bernards will be missed as one of the newest additions to the roster of Dead Nollywood Actors.

#9 Gbadebo Osmond

In the year 2022, the Nollywood industry suffered a major loss with the passing of Gbadebo Osmond, one of the dead Nollywood actors. His demise came as a painful shock not only to the movie industry but also to Nigeria as a whole.

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Osmond, who had established himself both as a Nollywood actor and filmmaker, passed away on May 30th in his forties. He gained fame for his exceptional performances in movies like Hired Killer, Queen Lateefat, Edunjobi, and Ewon Ife, among others.

#10 Rico Swavey

Former Big Brother Naija season 3 contestant, Patrick Fakoya, famously known as Rico Swavey, sadly passed away after a car accident which resulted in him being placed on life support.

The untimely death of Rico Swavey, a beloved figure in the Nigerian entertainment industry, has left many fans mourning his loss.

To pay their respects, a night of tribute and a candlelight walk took place at Retro Citi in Victoria Island, Lagos.

A private service then followed at the Methodist Church of the Trinity, Tinubu Square, on Thursday prior his burial at Ebony Vaults, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Wrap Up

The Nollywood film industry has lost some of its beloved actors in 2022. They have left behind a great legacy that will continue to inspire and awe aspiring actors and film enthusiasts alike.

Although their passing is undoubtedly sad, their contribution to the entertainment world will be forever cherished. As we bid farewell to these talented actors, let us honor their memory by appreciating the art they so passionately created.

May they rest in peace!

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