Chiwetalu Agu: Biography, Career, Movies & More

Chiwetalu Agu is veteran Nollywood actor. He has featured in movies like Dr Thomas, Across the Niger and Wedding Party 2. The actor is known for his versatility and his unique catchphrases in movies have made a toast of many fans.

In this post, you’ll discover many interesting things about Chiwetalu Agu which includes his early life, education, family and his career as a veteran entertainer and comic actor.

Early life & Education

Agu was born on the 5th of March 1956 in Enugu town in Enugu State. He hails from Amokwe in Udi local government Area of Enugu State. The actor attended St Luke’s Primary School in Ogui Nike before proceeding to the College of Immaculate Conception, CIC in Enugu. After his secondary education, Agu travelled to West Germany where he studied at the Wisent College.

Career

Agu began acting long before the inception of Nollywood. The actor featured in the Nigerian Television Authority Channel 8 Enugu’s Ikoro. The series was produced by Joe Onyekwelu. He also starred in ETV Channel 50 now ESBS in Baby Come Now and Ripples which was produced by Zeb Ejiro.

Agu came to Lagos in 1987 where he featured in the popular soap opera, The Ripples which was produced by Zeb Ejiro. The veteran actor played the role of Chief Abunna, the Okemilinaezoluora 1 of Etiti and the Odezulumba of Ogbunike town.

Interestedly, Agu was one of those involved in the audition of the blockbuster movie, ‘Living in Bondage’ which was produced by Kenneth Nnebue. It would be recalled that the movie featured the likes of Kenneth Okonkwo and Kanayo O. Kanayo who later became a popular Nollywood actor.

 

Agu was also involved in the production of the movie, Taboo, where he also acted and played the role of Ichie Ogwu. One of Agu’s first productions was the soap opera, ‘The Advocate’ but the actor revealed that this production never saw the light of the day.

Agu is known for his wit, humor and invention of customized phrases and slangs in movies which makes him fun to watch.

 

The actor is one of the most outstanding comic actors in the country. He is quite versatile and rapidly alternates from comic role to wicked roles. The actor has even featured in several movie flicks where he has played sympathetic roles ahd has been seen crying. Agu has starred in close to 500 productions in over 3 decades of acting. He received the Most Popular Actor Award by the Catholic Church of Nigeria.

Marriage

Agu is married to Nkechi and they have five children together, three sons and two daughters. The actor revealed that he was so poor during his youthful days that he couldn’t look at women. As a result, he decided to focus his time and effort on making money at this time.

Movies

Agu has featured in over 300 movies. Some of these have been listed below:

• Last Ofalla 1-4
• Taboo
• 1986
• Daddy must obey
• Ripples
• Return of Justice
• By Fire
• Traditional Marriage 1 & 2
• Fire on the Mountain 1 & 2
• Friend of Widow
• Price of the Wicked
• Thomas
• The Priest Must Die
• The Price of Sacrifice
• The Catechist
• Police Recruit
• Sunrise 1 & 2
• Old School 1-3
• Honorable 1 & 2
• Sounds of Love 1 & 2
• Nkwocha
• Across the Niger
• The Plain Truth 1 7 2
• Sounds of Love 1 & 2
• Church Man 1 & 2
• Holy Anger 1 & 2
• Evil Twin
• Beauty and the Beast 1-3
• Royal Messengers 1 & 2
• Royal Destiny 1 & 2
• Burning kingdom 1 & 2
• The Maidens
• Battle of the Gods 1 & 2
• The Wedding Party 2

Controversies

Agu raised controversies when he described the sexual harassment alleged in Nollywood as an issue with a general phenomenon. The actor further added that Nollywood actresses are well endowed which many tagged a controversial statement.

Recently, the fast-rising actor, Gideon Okeke criticized Agu when he took to his social media page to state that Agu should be sanctioned for his use of vulgar language in movies.

The veteran actor responded to his criticism by telling the young actor to mind his business and leave the Censor board to do their job. Agu further added that he doesn’t even know Gideon Okeke is. Prior to Agu’s response, Okeke was attacked by fans and he ended up deleting the post.

Awards & Nominations

Agu was nominated for the best actor in indigenous movie at the Nollywood Movie Awards in 2012 for his role in the movie Nkwocha. The actor won this award.

He was also nominated for the Best Supporting Actor at the Zulu African Film Academy Awards (ZAFAA London) in 2011 for his role in the movie, The Maidens.

In 2008, the actor was nominated for ‘the Best Actor in a Supporting role at the 4th annual African Movie Academy Awards for his role in the movie, Across the Niger.

Agu revealed that he has bagged 47 awards and featured in over 727 productions in the last three decades in the industry.

The actor disclosed that he has been able to exert his influence from Nollywood and this has bore fruit in securing funding for the industry. For example, the former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan approved a whooping sum of N3 billion for Nollywood during his tenure.

Politics

In a recent interview, Agu spoke about politics and revealed that it is not for him. The actor believes politics is a dirty game and he went further to advice to his colleagues not to venture into it although he conceded to the fact that there’s the need for the right people to move the country in the right direction.

Also, Agu advised his colleagues playing politics at the level of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN). The actor reiterated that these individuals should avoid violence and allow the association move forward peacefully and progressively.