11/01/2021
Anayo Modestus Onyekwere popularly known as Kanayo O. Kanayo is a veteran Nollywood actor, lawyer, writer, producer, director and philanthropist and was born 1st of March 1962 in Mbaise, Imo State.
Kanayo started his acting career in 1992 with his debut performance as ‘Chief Omego’ in the pioneer blockbuster movie 'Living In Bo***ge' (1992), which gained him recognition and popularity in the movie industry, this was followed by another hit movie 'Circle of Doom' (1993). Prior to that, he was a guest star in the popular Nigeria TV-show ‘New Masquerade’ where he starred alongside James Iroha, Chika Okpala, Lizzy Evoeme, Claude Eke and Christy Essien-Igbokwe.
He has featured in over 100 movie productions such as Nneka the Pretty Serpent (1994), Festival of Fire (2002), Brutal Heart (2007), October 1 (2014) and Lionheart (2018) among others. In 2019, he reprised his role as Chief Omego in the 2019 sequel Living in Bo***ge: Breaking Free which was also a huge success.
Kanayo often nicknamed the “father of ritualists” due to some of his popular movie characters and has such made a niche for himself in the Nollywood industry. He also won the “Most Prominent Actor in Nigeria” and “Best Actor in a Leading Role” at the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) for his outstanding acting in 2005 and 2006 respectively.
In 2013, he received a political appointment from former President Goodluck Jonathan as a board member of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Studies and is currently a United Nations ambassador. He has also been given the title of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic.
In 2016, Kanayo who is a Glo ambassador starred in the Glo TV series Prof Johnbull where he played the role of ‘Prof Johnbull’.
Kanayo graduated with a Law degree in 2019 from the University of Abuja before proceeding to the Nigerian Law School Abuja campus and was called to the bar in 2020.
Fun fact about actor Kanayo O Kanayo: Prior to his acting career he made shirts and suits which he sold to bank and office workers.
He was paid a sum of N1,500 for his role in the movie ‘Living in Bo***ge’ in 1992.