What Is Funke Adesiyan Up To? (Picture)
Though the career lifespan of a celebrity is very short according to proven research, some, through dint of hard work and luck, have excelled in the entertainment industry for decades. Anthony Ada Abraham, SAMUEL ABULUDE, PATIENCE IVIE IHEJIRIKA and ADEBIRIGBE TOLULOPE look at some of our entertainers who are above 40 years and have continued to remain relevant.
Old wine tastes better' according to the sayings of the sages. This can also be attributed to veterans in the entertainment industry who have proved their mettle. These wonderful creatures have proven that Indeed, life begins at 40. To them, age is just a number and not a barrier as it has not stopped them from catching the public's fancy.
Patience Ozokwor
Patience Ozokwor, popularly called 'Mama G' by her fans, is one actress whose captivating smile can light up a dull moment. The mother of three who was born on March 25, 1958, still looks stunning and alluring as though she is still in her 30s. Though the actress dresses very responsibly and appropriately for her age, she still stands out, remaining the one and only 'Mama G' in the industry.
Ngozi Ezeonu
Ngozi Ezeonu, the light skinned pretty woman is another stylish actress who can still compete favourably with the younger stars in the industry.
In an attempt to take her beauty and style to the next level, the actress has ditched the excess weight and with her new look, one can easily mistake her for a model.
Even though her new look brought her under hot criticism, the actress who was born in 1965, maintains that looking good is good business.
Chidi Mokeme
The 43 years old actor still appears charming as ever. His height, looks and sense of style continues to give him an edge.
Caroline King
This ever young looking women has been married for over 22 years and she can be mostly recognised as an ace soap opera actress. now over 50, she played Funke Akindele's mother in one of Nigeria first student soap opera, I Need To Know.
In interview, she stated the secret to her looking youthful at over 50 are workouts and massages. She said, “It feels good. I mean, we are all going to age. I've decided I will age gracefully, I don't use anything special but one thing I indulge myself in, I love to workout. I work out a lot and eat anything. If I don't work out and I eat as I do, they will join these two chairs for me”.
According to her, she said her beauty regime is massage. “I have a lady who comes to the house once in a while to give me a massage”.
Onyeka Onwenu
The Iyogogo and Ekwe legend, Onyeka Onwenu is a women of several talents and ambition. She is a singer, songwriter, actress, journalist, politician, and X Factor series judge.
It is not news that is she is the youngest daughter of the Nigerian educationist and politician D.K Onwenu. Onwenu is called “elegant and ever radiant stallion” by the Nigerian press.
She's the Executive Director/chief executive officer of the National Centre for Women Development, and was a former chairperson of the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture.
Richard Mofe Damijo
Lead actor, writer and producer, Richard Mofe Damijo will fondly be remembered for his powerful lead role in 'Out of Bounds' He veered into politics in 2009 holding the appointment as Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Delta State. At the maiden edition of African Movie Academy Awards, he won best actor in a leading role.
After graduating from the university, Mofe-Damijo took part in a television soap opera in the late 80's called Ripples. Before then, he had a stint with Concord Newspapers and Metro Magazine as a reporter.
Ramsey Noah
The light skinned charming actor was born in Edo State to an Israeli father and a Yoruba mother who hails from Owo, Ondo State on December 19, 1970.
After obtaining a diploma at the University of Lagos, he pursued a career in acting that has made him a legend.
Nouah's acting career kicked off when he starred in the Nigerian TV soap opera, Fortunes. After that, he played numerous roles that made producers and audience refer to him as the “Lover-Boy”.
Even with his over two decades experience in the acting game, Noah is still a force to reckon with.
Jeta Amata
Actor, director and Goodwill Ambassador, Jeta Amata is a one of the pioneers of intriguing storylines in Nigeria.
The Nigerian filmmaker was born on August 21, 1974, to popular Nigerian actor, Zack Amata. At 41, the dark, lanky actor still looks smart and handsome.
He comes from a family of veteran filmmakers including Ifoghale Amata, Zack Amata and Fred Amata. He grew up in the film industry, following his family's passion for film.
At 21, Jeta produced and directed his first film, making it no surprise when he began to rise in the world of film and entertainment, in continuity of the family's legacy.
Recently, the president of Haiti, Michel Joseph Martelly, made Jeta Amata a Goodwill Ambassador to Haiti.
Jeta Amata studied Theater Arts at Benue State University in Makurdi, Nigeria.
Monalisa Chinda
She is a sexy mother of one, who is an actress, film producer, television personality and media personality.
Recently on her instagram page, she posted pictures of herself visiting the spa.
Monalisa Chinda was born in Port Harcourt, Rivers State to an Ikwere father and an Igbo mother. She is the first born in her family of two sons and four daughters. She obtained a degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Port Harcourt.
Monalisa's first major movie was Pregnant Virgin, which she did in 1996 and subsequently, after she graduated in 2000, she did Above the Law.
In 2012, she became one of the first of four Nollywood actors to be featured on the cover of Hollywood Weekly Magazine. In November 2014, the actress branched out of acting but is now set to debut her Talk Show titled 'You & I with Monalisa.
Ireti Doyle
Every woman would kill to have that body and skin at 46! !!!
Tinsel star, accomplished writer, actor, producer and presenter, Iretiola Doyle, was born on the 3rd of May 1967, in Lagos, Nigeria and has been in the entertainment industry for over 16 years. The ravishing mother and wife is one of the sexiest over-40 entertainers in Nigeria. Her daughter, who is 27 years old recently wedded and Ireti just looks like her older sister.
Bukky Wright
45-year-old actress, Bukky Wright, is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful actresses in Nigeria. The mother of two looks a decade younger than her age. Bukky is just ageless!
Faithia Balogun
Born on the 5th of February, 1969, Yoruba actress, Fathia Balogun still turns heads, in a good way of course. The stunning mother of four hails from Delta State. In Pussycat Dolls' voice, 'Don't you wish your girlfriend/wife was hot like this?' Fathia always looks so young and fresh, which belies her 44 years of age. Beautiful woman!
Ibinabo Fiberesima
The ex-beauty queen is still a stunner and a beauty to behold. 43 year old Ibinabo has 3 children but is still very attractive. She recently got married to Uche Egbuka.
Elizabeth (Liz) Benson
She's in her late 40s and although she may have toned down her glamorous lifestyle because she is now an evangelist, Liz still remains one of the most beautiful women in Nigeria and anytime she steps out on the red carpet, one can see the attention she attracts. She's still one of a kind.
Regina Askia Williams
Ex-beauty queen, Regina Askia is still quite attractive at age 47 and her sexy shape and height is something to behold at any time.
Joke Silva
She came into the industry when there was no money in it as it were. Joke Silva, delectable and gorgeous, is a consummate actress. Many of her fans will acknowledge watching the intriguing drama series titled Mind Bending in the early 90s on Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) prime time and seeing a young lady playing the role of a wife abused and also under the influence of narcotics in another series. Joke played that role perfectly. Later with the arrival of home video, Joke was one of the thespians that shone like a million stars. Remember the movie, Silent Night, a thriller that featured Segun Arinze as Black Arrow, the notorious criminal? Joke Silva gave the movie the humane side- playing the role of a heartbroken mother whose son was a deviant. Another movie which proved that Joke Silva, born in 1961, is a bundle of talent, is in the Yoruba drama series, Owuro L'Ojo, produced by Even Ezra Studio. Mrs. Joke Jacobs (courtesy of her marriage to Olu Jacobs) played the role of an innocent young adult who got pregnant putting her education on hold. Her transition in that soap opera from a young adult to a single mother was highly commendable. Fast forward to the hundreds of movies Joke Jacobs has featured in, the lady who is aging gracefully is one of the icons of the movie industry. Now, she is deploying her wealth of experience in the entertainment industry at the MTN Project Fame reality show as a role model to the rising stars of the reality show.
Kate Henshaw
Going to the auditioning for the romantic movie, When The Sun Sets about two decades ago turned things around for this bundle of talent. Kate Henshaw, the lady from Cross Rivers State, was just one of the girls looking for an inroad into Nollywood and by the time she read some lines and pleased the movie director, she got the nod for the role. Bob Manuel-Udokwu played her lover and the chemistry that developed on set made ther movie a success , launching Kate's acting career.
Fast forward to 2015, Kate Henshaw, formerly married to Mr Nutall, has become one of the leading lights of the Nollywood. Her exemplary life, the way she carries herself and overcomes challenges has aided the careers of her junior colleagues, like Rita Dominic, Uche Jombo, to name a few. Kate Henshaw made the comedy, Stronger Than Pain a delight. The movie fetched her an AMAA. The way she interpreted her role along with the iconic Nkem Owoh made the movie a success. Kate has since repeated that rare feat in other endeavours- being a judge at Airtel-sponsored Naija Got Talent reality show; being a fitness instructor and delving into the murky waters of politics.