The Nigerian movie industry has lost icons within the short period of the year 2019 and it’s been a sad occurrence.
Here are 10 Nollywood stars that have died this year 2019.
Funmilayo ‘Ijewuru’ Ogunsola
Funmilayo ‘Ijewuru’ Ogunsola passed away on Monday, February 4 in Ibadan at the age of 58. She was a popular actress and was married to the late movie star, Ishola ‘I show Pepper’ Ogunsola.
Ijewuru reportedly passed away on Monday, February 4, 2019.
Her death is coming 27 years after the death of her husband and colleague, Ishola Ogunsola aka I Show Pepper.
Ijewuru’s death makes it the third in the Yoruba movie sector since the death of her colleague, Gbenga Akintunde aka Burger, who died at the age of 47 on January 4 2019.
Gbenga ‘Burger’ Akintunde
Gbenga ‘Burger’ Akintunde died on Thursday, January 3 at the age of 47, after visiting the hospital to complain of malaria.
According to Kunle Afod, an actor and producer, who announced his death via Instagram, Akintunde died on Thursday, January 3, 2018, after visiting the hospital to complain of malaria.
“You called yesterday to confirm if I will still be holding my new year party today and I was called this afternoon that you are no more …BURGER…Heard u went to the hospital to complain about malaria this afternoon and in few hours u are in the mortuary… this is so sad ……Planning to celebrate you in few days time …imagine the shock and tears ..Oye olorun” Kunle wrote.
Adewale Olanrewaju
Adewale Olanrewaju popularly known as ‘I show Larry’ died on Monday, January 21 at the age of 36. The actor was also a movie producer.
According to multiple reports, Olanrewaju’s death has left his colleagues in shock.
The late Olanrewaju began his career as a makeup artist on the movie set before taking up full time acting and later producing.
Abe Ishola Monsurat Olabisi
Abe Ishola Monsurat Olabisi passed away on Saturday, March 30 at age 39. Her death was announced days after she delivered a baby girl.
Bisket, according to her friend, passed away on Saturday, March 30, 2019, 10 days after welcoming her new baby.
The death of Bisket, the CEO of Bisket Movie Concept, was announced on Sunday, March 31, 2019 by one of her close friends, Omolola Olumide on Facebook.
LinChung Duke Oliver
Duke ‘LinChung’ Oliver passed away on April 2 at age 45. He passed away after a car crash on his way to Lagos from his mom’s burial. He is famous for his role as Sylvanus in the sitcom, ‘Do Good.’
Nollywood actor, LinChung Duke Oliver has passed away after a car crash on his way to Lagos from his mom’s burial in Akwa Ibom.
Duke Oliver a.k.a Silvanus of the popular TV series, Dogood, died in an auto crash while returning from his mother’s burial.
The burial took place on Friday in Akwa Ibom State and Oliver was heading back to his base in Lagos when the accident occurred.
Alfred Rotimi Popoola
Alfred Rotimi Popoola passed away on Thursday, February 27 in Abeokuta, Ogun state. He died at 51. Popoola has featured in several Nollywood movies including ‘Aiye Foreign,’ and ‘Ropo Ijogbon.’
It was gathered that the actor who is also known as Ilu Venture had reportedly died on the night of Wednesday, February 27. Popoola who resided in Abeokuta, Ogun state had died after a brief illness. It was reported that the veteran would be laid to rest this Thursday, February 28. A statement announcing the sad incident had been made available by the Abeokuta chapter of Theater Arts and Motion Picture Producer’s Association of Nigeria.
Prince Dammy Eke
Prince Dammy Eke died on April 28. He died at age 41. The actor reportedly slumped and was rushed to the hospital where he was confirmed dead.
Linda Ikeji Blog reports that the late actor slumped and was rushed to the hospital where he died.
Friends of the actor have been paying tribute to him on different social media platforms.
Prince Eke was one of the sons of the Late Eze Gbaka, the Gbaka of Woji, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Adio Majester
Adio Majester passed away on Tuesday, May 7 in the intensive care of an undisclosed hospital. He died at age 50. He featured numerous movies and a number of stage plays in his career as an actor.
According to reports, he died on Tuesday, May 7, 2019 in the intensive care of an undisclosed hospital. Prior to his death, Adio had reportedly suffered severely from the illness which saw him lose a lot of weight.
His family is yet to release any statement as at the time of publishing this article. Adio Majester’s death is coming a week after another Nollywood actor, Prince Dammy Eke passed away.
Henry Okoro
Henry Okoro died following injuries sustained during a fatal accident that occurred on May 11. He was an actor before taking a backseat to work as director and producer after a decade. He died at 36
According to reports, Henry Okoro who was also known as HPmedia30, was on his way from an outing with his friends when the accident occurred.
While he wasn’t lucky, his friends are said to be currently battling for their lives.
Eddie Ugboma
Eddie Ugboma died on May 11 after a health challenge. He would be remembered for his role as Oyenusi in a film of the same title. He died at 78.
In a statement issued in Lagos on Sunday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the fact that Chief Ugboma lived a purposeful life and left his footprint in the sands of time is a soothing consolation for all who knew him.
”In his lifetime, Chief Ugboma produced a number of avant-garde movies that blazed the trail and fired the imagination of those who would later become the top producers in today’s Nollywood. In a way, the success of the industry is a tribute to him and his co-pioneers,” the Minister said.
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