But in general they have helped to project the Nigerian movie industry popularly known as Nollywood with their action thriller movies. Some of these actors are very soft in real life but very tough on screen. So not to waste much of your time after a careful study and research I present to you the top 10 most rugged actors in Nigeria of all time.
10. Sylvester Madu
Sylvester Madu is a famous Nollywood actor, director, model, producer, entrepreneur and a television personality. He was born on 11th January 1975 in Anambra State in the south eastern part of Nigeria. He is currently 44 years old. He is the first born child in a family of 12 children. He started acting as a kid at the age of 5 years old. Sylvester Madu completed both his primary and secondary school education in Anambra State, Nigeria. After which he attended University of Maiduguri in Borno State in the northern part of Nigeria and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre Arts. After completing his university education, Sylvester Madu joined the Nigerian movie industry (Nollywood) in 1998. He acts mostly in action thriller movies and play the role of a criminal. Sylvester Madu is very rugged and currently number 10 on our list of top 10 most rugged actors in Nigeria.
9. Jerry Amilo
Jerry Amilo is a famous Nollywood actor, director, producer, musician and a writer. He was born on 21st July, 1970 in Anambra State in the south eastern part of Nigeria. He is currently 47 years old. He is the last born in the family. He was formerly the manager of Christy Essien before moving to Nollywood. He is originally from Enugu-Ukwu in Anambra State, Nigeria. After his primary and secondary education, Jerry Amilo went to University of Nigeria Nsukka and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering. After his tertiary education, Jerry Amilo joined the Nigerian movie industry (Nollywood) in 1993 and played the role of Anini in the movie titled “Bruno and the Law” the movie gave him a major break and made him a household name in the early stage of Nollywood. The movie was about a criminal who terrorized the old Bendel State in Nigeria which is currently known as Edo State. Jerry Amilo is very rugged and currently number 9 on our list of top 10 most rugged actors in Nigeria.
8. Chidi Mokeme
Chidi Mokeme is a famous Nollywood actor, investor, television host and a model. He was born on 17th March 1972 in Anambra State in the south eastern part of Nigeria. He is currently 47 years old. He attended Salvation Army Primary School Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria. After his primary school education he attended Federal Government College in Mina, Niger State in the northern part of Nigeria. After obtaining his Senior School Certificate, Chidi Mokeme proceeded to Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu and graduated with a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Computer Science. Chidi Mokeme is very rugged and currently number 8 on our list of top 10 most rugged actors in Nigeria.
7. Zubby Michael
Zubby Michael is a famous Nollywood actor, producer, model, entrepreneur and a television personality. He is known for playing criminal, villain and hit man roles in movies. He was born on 1st February 1985 in Yola, Adamawa State in the northern part of Nigeria. He is currently 34 years old. Zubby Michael hails from Ozubulu in Okwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State in the south eastern part of Nigeria, but he grew up in Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria. He completed both his primary and secondary school education in Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria. After completing his primary and secondary school education, Zubby Michael proceeded to Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka in Anambra State, Nigeria and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication. Zubby Michael is very rugged and currently number 7 on our list of top 10 most rugged actors in Nigeria.
6. Jim Iyke
James Ikechukwu Esomugha popularly known as Jim Iyke is a famous Nollywood actor, producer, director, hip hop rapper, model, entrepreneur and a television personality. He was born on 25th September, 1976 in Libreville, Gabon. He is currently 41 years old. He is referred to as Nollywood Bad-boi. He is originally from Enugu Agidi town in Anambra State, Nigeria. He is the only boy in a family of eight children. He studied at the University of Jos, Plateau State and obtains a diploma in Banking and Finance and then a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy. He began his acting career in 2001 and has appeared in over 150 films. He has won the Best Actor in Nigeria at the African Achievement Award. Jim Iyke is very rugged and currently number 6 on our list of top 10 most rugged actors in Nigeria.
5. Gentle Jack
Gentle Jack is a legendary Nollywood actor, director, producer, bodybuilder and a television personality. He was born on 20th November 1970 in Abonnema in Kalabari kingdom of Rivers State in the south southern part of Nigeria. He is currently 48 years old. He is popularly known worldwide as Vuga. He had his primary and secondary education in Port Harcourt, River State, Nigeria. After completing his primary and secondary school education in Port Harcourt, River State, Nigeria, Gentle Jack got admission into Ogun State Polytechnic in Abeokuta and later quit his studies due to personal reason. After which he left for Hellymag fitness school where he studied Fitness and Nutrition and then became a body therapist. Gentle Jack is very rugged and currently number 5 on our list of top 10 most rugged actors in Nigeria.
4. Junior Pope
Junior Pope Odonwodo is a famous Nollywood actor, model and a television personality. He was born on 7th May 1984 in Bamenda, Cameroon to Mr. and Mrs. Luke Odonwodo. He is currently 35 years old. Junior Pope Odonwodo hails from Ukehe tribe of Enugu State in the south eastern part of Nigeria but grew up in Cameroon in West Africa. Junior Pope Odonwodo completed both his primary and secondary school education in Cameroon. After completing his primary and secondary school education in Cameroon, Junior Pope Odonwodo returned to Nigeria and proceeded to University of Nigeria, Nsukka in Enugu State and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accountancy. In 2006, Junior Pope Odonwodo joined the Nigerian movie industry (Nollywood) and started attending movie auditions and acting as a minor character in movies. He always plays the role of bodyguard, palace attendant, servant and criminal in several Nollywood movies. Junior Pope is very rugged and currently number 4 on our list of top 10 most rugged actors in Nigeria.
3. Emma Ehumadu
Emma Ehumadu is a famous Nollywood actor, producer and a television personality. He is popularly known for playing the role of Labista in the Nollywood blockbuster movie “Labista”. He is also famously known as Totolos. He is known for playing criminal, villain, actions and hit man roles in movies. He grew up in Lagos State in the south western part of Nigeria. He is originally from Anambra State in the south eastern part of Nigeria. Emma Ehumadu completed both his primary and secondary school education in Lagos State, Nigeria. While still in school, he joined different dramatic clubs and started performing on stage play. After completing his primary and secondary school education, Emma Ehumadu proceeded to Lagos State University (LASU) and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication. Emma Ehumadu is very rugged and currently number 3 on our list of top 10 most rugged actors in Nigeria.
2. Hanks Anuku
Hanks Anuku is a legendary Nollywood actor and a television personality. He was born on 27th August 1960 in Ibadan, Oyo State in the south western part of Nigeria. He is currently 58 years old. He is popularly known for his criminal and villain role in movies. He is referred to as the most rugged Nollywood star. Hanks Anuku completed his secondary school education at Loyola College in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria and obtained his West African Senior Certificate. After which he attended Auchi Polytechnic in Edo State, Nigeria and graduated with a Higher National Diploma (HND) in 1981. After completing his tertiary education, Hanks Anuku relocated to the United States of America. He returned back to Nigeria in early 2000 and joined the Nigerian movie industry (Nollywood). Hanks Anuku is very rugged and currently number 2 on our list of top 10 most rugged actors in Nigeria.
1. Sam Dede
Samuel Dedetoku popularly known as Sam Dede is a legendary Nollywood actor, director, producer, politician, lecturer and a television personality. He was born on 17th November 1965 in Lagos State in the south western part of Nigeria. He is currently 53 years old. He is a native of Okrika, a small village in Rivers State in the south southern part of Nigeria but grew up in Lagos, Nigeria. After his primary and secondary school education, Sam Dede attended University of Port Harcourt in River State and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre Arts. After his National Youth Service (NYSC), Sam Dede came back to University of Port Harcourt and obtained his Masters Degree in Theatre Arts. Sam Dede is currently a senior lecturer at the University of Port-Harcourt in River State where lectures in the Department of Theatre Arts. Sam Dede is very rugged and currently number 1 on our list of top 10 most rugged actors in Nigeria.
