10-of-10s: 10 Ultimate Nollywood Actors of the 2010s

Last in the 10-of-10s series was the “10 Ultimate Ghallywood Heroines of the 2010s” with actresses from Ghana only.

The following is supposed to be a list of the 10 Ultimate Nollywood actors of the 2010s, but as you can see there are only 8 people. This is because I believe GABRIEL AFOLAYAN (hoodrush) and FEMI JACOBS (The Meeting) should also be on the list. However, I’m yet to see any of their works past reviews and trailers so until then the list only lists 8 people. This doesn’t mean they’d be number 8 or 10, as they’d probably rearrange the list.

P.S.: Just like with the Ghallywood Heroines, this list made me realize how few impressive actors there are in Nollywood today.

8. DESMOND ELLIOT: Actor turned model turned actor turned producer turned director, Desmond Elliot is a very familiar face in the Nollywood film industry today both home and abroad and has been for a while now.

Why is Desmond #8?

There is a fine split of opinions about Desmond Elliot. Some believe that he should quit acting entirely and just stick to directing, that the screens haven’t been so happy in a long while. Whilst others believe that he should quit directing and stick to acting, that’s what he knows how to do and that’s what he does well. I simply believe that after so many years of acting, even a trained monkey would learn how to act so it’s ludicrous to suggest that the man no sabi act at all. Maybe he’s not the greatest but he definitely does a fair enough job.

7. YUL EDOCHIE: Right next to Mercy Johnson, one could argue that Yul Edochie is probably one of the busiest actors in Nollywood. Film after film after film has his face on the cover and like play, like play Yul has become an actor to be reckoned with, not because of his father’s name but of his own rights.

Why is Yul #7?

After playing so many Prince roles in the 2010s that he has somehow taken up the title ‘Eternal Prince’ one can argue that Yul probably can’t do anything other than Prince roles. And though we might have no proof to the contrary, I’d like to point out the movie ‘Crippled Kingdom‘ in which he played a quadriplegic. Not the absolute best quadriplegic in the history of actors who ever played quads (read ‘Hrithik Roshan in Guzaarish’), but he was able to deliver what the role required and I believe that if the role required more Yul would be able to deliver.

6. MIKE EZURUONYE: Another familiar face on the scene is loverboy, or should I say ‘wonderboy’, Mike Ezuruonye. His performance as wonderboy in the classic film ‘The Celebrity’ has since established his name, face and place in the industry.

Why is Mike #6?

Even though most of his role choices are questionable, it would be foolish to deny his fluidity as an actor. Mike is a skilled and seasoned actor who simply needs the opportunity to do more as an actor.

5. YEMI BLAQ: Since his days from “Letters to a Stranger“, Yemi’s face and voice has become very popular in the industry, and his appeal has reached far and wide.

Why is Yemi #5?

Even though he hasn’t been in that many/wise movies in the 2010s, his performance has never been anything less than what he gave in “Letters to a Stranger”, and using that as a starting point, it’d be foolish to deny Yemi’s talent

4. ODUNLADE ADEKOLA: I only ever saw Mr. Adekola in one movie “Temi Nikan” and that’s because I don’t watch many Yollywood movies, but little as his role might have been in that movie his performance stood out and since then he’s been my Yoruba-Yul-Edochie (don’t tell me you don’t see the facial resemblance).

Why is Odunlade #4?

His fluidity in that one movie was astounding. He seemed like he had been acting for ages which I don’t know whether he has or not. But with a first time/only time unforgettable impression like the one he made, I can’t deny his abilities

3. O.C. UKEJE: He seemed to take a break after winning AMBO but out of nowhere, Mr. Ukeje returns and has been constantly setting the screens ablaze in the 2010s

Why is O.C. #3?

Because acting seems natural for O.C. In his short time in the industry, O.C. has performed in a variety of roles. His role choices, in this short time period, have been more varied than even those of some actors who have been in the industry much longer than he has. And in each role that I’ve seen him perform, he has given his all.

2. RAMSEY NOUAH: Because you can’t make a list without Ramsey Noah. The quintessential loverboy of Nollywood might have taken a break sometime during his journey but he seems back and here to stay.

Why is Ramsey #2?

“What role are you playing in this movie?” asks a journalist to Ramsey Nouah. “What else? Loverboy” Ramsey replies. Even though Ramsey has almost always played loverboy roles, I’ve also seen the trailer for “Confusion Na Wa” and “Hotel Babylon“, two movies that did not require him to fall in love, and from what I saw he did them well. Lest we forget his role in “The Figurine” as a villain which I felt he pulled off fantastically.

1. WALE OJO: Most have seen him in “Phone Swap“, others simply wonder ‘who the heck is that?’. But for those who live in the UK, Mr. Ojo is the familiar face of the over-domineering, ever-in-charge, comical Mr. Adebanjo.

Why is Wale #1?

You can try to deny but the truth is not far fetched, Wale is a fantastic actor and if any proof is needed then “Meet the Adebanjo’s” is proof in and of itself. He plays a character way beyond his age (at least I think so, I don’t know how old he is) that when you see him in “Phone Swap”, there’s a bit of difficulty in reconciling both individuals. And I believe a true actor is one that becomes his characters such that no two of his characters are ever the same individual and none of his characters are ever him

Do you agree? How would YOU order them?

Pictures: google images

Next in the 10-of-10s series: 10 Ultimate Ghallywood Actors of the 2010s

You can now follow the entire series at https://nollywoodreinvented.com/tag/10-of-10s