Ernest Obi: Biography, Career, Movies & More

Ernest Obi is a famous Nollywood actor, director, producer, television personality, entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist. He is one of the most creative and talented actors in the Nigerian movie industry.

The actor became popular when he featured in the movie, Glamour Girls. He played the role of the guy that used to cook in the kitchen and wash his girl friend’s underwear.

In this post, you’ll get to discover some interesting things about this talented Nollywood actor.

Early life and Education

Ernest Obi was born on the 21st of June 1970 in Anambra State, Nigeria. The actor comes from a royal family. His father was the Oba 1 of Ukpor. His mum, Princess Eugenia Uzoamaka Nwachinemere Egwuh was his first wife. He lost his mother a few years ago.

Ernest has 8 siblings as his mother had 9 children. He grew up in Lagos State where he attended Onward Nursery and Primary School in Surulere before proceeding to Baptist Academy Secondary School.

He bagged a degree in Dramatic Arts at the University of Ife, where he majored in directing.

Career

The actor joined Nollywood in 1995, a few years after graduating from the University.

Prior to his sojourn into acting, Ernest Obi was the manager of shipping line but he revealed he wasn’t happy in that career path.

When he began acting, his mother initially felt he was too intelligent to be an actor. But when she realised that he was bent on acting, she decided to let him be.

Ernest has featured in over 200 Nollywood movies since he began acting in 1995. Some of the movies include Daytime Lovers, Love Crime, Italian Deal, Last True Sacrifice, All I Have, Idemili, Calabash, Blood Money, Deep Bondage and My Angel.

After acting for a few years, Ernest relocated temporarily to America where he studied movie directing, cinematography and editing at the New York Film Academy.

His decision to travel to New York was due to the lapses he noticed in movie directing in Nollywood which he sought to correct.

Awards

Ernest Obi directed the movie, ‘Idemili’ which earned him an award for Best Creative Director at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards. Some of his other awards include:

  • Most Prominent Actor in Nigeria at the Africa Movie Academy Awards,
  • Best Creative Director at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award,
  • Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the Best of Nollywood Awards
  • Most Promising Act to Watch at the City People Entertainment Awards.

Marriage

Ernest Obijiofor married actress, Evi Oki. The actress hails from Isoko in Delta State. The couple dated for 8 years before tying the knot.

Their wedding was attended by the likes of Olu Jacobs, Joke Silva, Justus Esiri, Segun Arinze, Emeka Enyiocha, Tony Ani and Andy Chukwu.

Their marriage is blessed with beautiful kids. The actor revealed that his wife is one person that can tell him to his face that he is wrong

As a married man, Ernest Obi recently advised intending couples about marriage in an interview. According to the actor, people should never get married out of pity and he also disclosed that love isn’t enough most of the time rather it is trust that keeps the marriage together.

Controversy

Ernest was embroiled in a controversy many years ago when his estranged lover accused him of raping their daughter. She went on to disclose that he had impregnated her severally and even subjected her to several abortions.

The actor revealed that the woman in question decided to spread the false rumours when she heard he was getting married.

According to Ernest Obi, this wasn’t just a controversy; it was also an embarassing moment as the incident almost truncated his wedding plans. His fiancee’s friends turned her into a laughing stock but she didn’t budge as she believed he was innocent.

The actor revealed that she eventually called him to apologize and he has since forgiven his ex and move on with his life.

Actor Guild of Nigeria

Ernest was the former Chairman of the Lagos Chapter of the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria.

During his time as chairman, Ernest Obi was quite vocal about actors and actresses identifying with the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria which he believes could serve as a reliable organization which the stars could run to in times of crises.

Nollywood

Critics of Nollywood have emphasized the fact there are usually too many ritual scenes in movies. But Ernest Obi responded to such claims by stating that, these are the things that captivate the African audience.

The actor also defended the allegations that movie directors sleep with actresses before giving them roles by stating that such misdemeanour is common to every industry.

Additionally, the actor put the blame on the actresses stating that they do little to avoid such scenario. According to him, some of these actresses come to the movie location dressed indecently while allowing the movie director touch them inappropriately. In some cases, these actresses are asked to come pick a movie script in the dead of the night at the director’s hotel room and they oblige.

Ernest Obi concluded by saying that often times when an actress claims that she’s been harassed by a movie director or producer, it is usually the other way round.

The actor also addressed the issue of directors casting the same set of old faces in movies by stating that those are the people the fans want to see as a result casting the same old faces ensure that marketers recoup their investment.

However, the actor proposed the solution to this challenge as the introduction of film funds which will reduce the dependence on marketers from Idumota in Lagos and Iweka road in Onitsha.

Ernest Obi also spoke about the spate of kidnapping affecting the industry in which the likes of Pete Edochie, Nkem Owoh and Mr Ibu have been victims.

The actor revealed that public servants that siphon money into their pockets are the ones responsible for these kidnapping in the country. According to him, if there was employment, there will be lower crime rates.

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