Actor Richards Oguntimehin, popularly known as Don Richard, has revealed that he became seriously ill two years after he quit smoking and drinking, despite thinking he was making a healthy lifestyle change.
Don Richard, known for his roles on screen, shared that his body began to break down just when he thought he was doing the right thing for his health.
“I gave up cigarettes and alcohol completely for two years. But strangely, that’s when the real battle for my life began,” he said, hinting that many people overlook the internal reactions the body undergoes when abrupt lifestyle changes are made.
He explained that his health began to deteriorate at the time he expected to feel better. “After I stopped, my system crashed. I had chest pains, digestive issues, and fatigue that no test could explain,” he said.
Despite undergoing several medical tests, doctors could not determine what was wrong. Don Richard believes his body’s attempt to readjust after long-term substance use triggered internal imbalances that led to months of illness.
“It was two years after I stopped smoking and drinking that I had health issues; while in the hospital, I realized that majority sickness happening to eminent personalities are from internal organs,” he said.
Don Richard began his career in the entertainment industry in 1989 as a production assistant at NTA Channel 10 in Lagos. He is originally from Ondo town in Ondo State but was born and raised in Bariga, Lagos. Over the years, he transitioned fully into acting and directing, carving a niche for himself in both English and Yoruba-language films.
Some of his notable works include The Darkness, Man in the Jungle and Oba Omo. He also produced and directed the feature film Who Is in the Mountain? and has starred in Yoruba movies such as Elede, Idajo Ola, and Banuso.
In addition to his work on screen, Don Richard has pursued academic excellence. He earned a degree in Economics from Abia State University and a master’s in Political Economy from the University of Lagos. In 2014, he completed a filmmaking training in Germany under the Lunebourg School, which further deepened his creative skills.
Outside his professional life, Don Richard is married and has children. He has often spoken about the importance of maintaining discipline and spiritual awareness, particularly in an industry he describes as spiritually demanding.
