In just six months into the year 2022, the entertainment industry has witnessed several deaths in Nollywood. While some passed away due to illness, others died mysteriously, throwing the movie industry into deep shock.
Here we take a look at Nollywood stars that have died in 2022 and the legacies they left behind.
1 Ada Ameh
Ada Ameh’s shocking death was announced on social media on Monday, July 18.
Before her death, Ada battled with mental health. She revealed she had been dealing with mental illness following the death of her loved ones.
She spoke about her ordeal in an interview with media personality Morayo Afolabi-Brown on Your View TV show published on Friday, July 1.
According to The Johnsons actress, she had been depressed for years and her daughter Ladi’s death made it worse because Ladi was her best friend, and sister and it felt like her world had crumbled.
The 48-year-old also disclosed that she had lost six siblings before Ladi died.
She said: “I have depression, I have been depressed for some years and it became very worse when I lost my daughter in 2020. I was 14 when I had her, she was my best friend, and sister, I just saw my world crumbling down before me.
“I had lost three of my sisters and three of my brothers. I thought I was going to be next when my younger sister died and I have been in and out of the hospital.”
2 Sola Onayiga
Veteran actress Sola Onayiga died on Monday, July 18 after battling an illness.
Sola was popularly known for her role of Ireti in Fuji House of Commotion, produced by the late Amaka Igwe. She starred alongside Ngozi Nwosu, Ireti Doyle, John Njamah and Andrea Chikachukwu.
She was also featured as Madam Philo in BBC’s Story, Story- Voices From The Market Place
3 Dejo Tunfulu
Kunle Adetokunbo, popularly known as Dejo Tunfulu died on April 1 after a brief illness.
Born on May 31, 1972 in Idumota, Lagos Island area of Lagos State, Dejo Tunfulu hailed from Abeokuta in Ogun State.
The comic actor, writer and producer appeared in movies like Hally The Drummer and Jide Jendo.
4 Tafa Oloyede
Veteran actor Adewuni Adewoye popularly known as Tafa Oloyede died on February 1 at the age of 69.
Oloyede who began acting in 1974 under the tutelage of the Oyin Adejobi and who is best known for featuring in movies such as Jaiyesimi, Ayanmo, Ekuro Oloja, Orogun, Akanji Oniposi would have clocked 70 this year.
5 Lari Williams
Veteran actor Lari Willams’ death was announced on February 28.
The movie star passed on at the age of 81, following a long illness. Williams, who was the first president of the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria, died at his home in Ikom, Cross River State.
He was also a poet, and playwright and was active in theatrical productions.
6 Oluweri Magbojo
Just when celebrities were preparing to pay their last respect to Lari Williams, news broke again that actress Shade Akin Taylor popularly known as Oluweri Magbojo had died.
Shade was well known for her dramatic style of makeup, especially her curvy brows. She was the star of the movie Oluweri Magbojo where she played the lead character.
7 David Osagie
On May 4, actor David Osagie, better known as Sir David, died after filming on set the previous day.
His death was announced by his colleague Ngozi Ezeh who noted that the actor was not sick.
Sir David was best known for his role as king. Some of his movies include My Sorrow My Pain, Agunna and Lost Battle.
8 Chinedu Benard
On the evening of Friday, April 29, fast-rising actress Chinedu Bernard slumped while cleaning the Chapel of St. Leo the Great Catholic Church in Enugu. The Priest Rev Fr. Uchendu Chukwuma and some parishioners rushed her to East Side Hospital in Enugu where she was confirmed dead.
However, concerns were raised when photos of the deceased in a hospital bed with bruises on her face were posted on Instagram, causing the national president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) Emeka Rollas to demand an autopsy to ascertain the real cause of Chinedu’s death.
9 Leo Mezie
Leo Mezie’s death was announced by his colleague Chioma Toplis on Instagram on Monday, May 16.
According to Chioma, Leo Mezie, aged 46, died on Saturday in Abuja while recovering from a kidney transplant.
She wrote: “Actor Leo Mezie is dead. He died on Saturday in Abuja while recovering from a kidney transplant. His corpse has been moved to Umuahia his hometown. RIP Leo.”
Earlier in July 2016, word got out that the actor was down with kidney-related disease.
The news came barely a month after popular Nigerian music producer, OJB Jezreel, passed on. The latter died three years after he underwent a kidney transplant.
10 Gbenga Richards
Gbenga Richards’ death was announced on Facebook on Thursday, May 12.
Confirming his death, Emdee David, director at African Entertainment Network, wrote on Facebook saying, “I have been reliably informed that Nollywood actor, Gbenga Richards, who I interviewed last year on his health challenges and appealed for assistance, has passed. May his soul rest in peace.”
The actor who suffered from acute diabetes appealed for support in a video posted by Emdee David in September 2021.
Gbenga Richards, who turned 60 in February, starred in movies such as 30 Days (2006), Darkest Night (2005) and Betrayed by Love (2004).
