Who is Kanayo O. Kanayo?
Nigerian actor and lawyer Anayo Modestus Onyekwere MFR, better known by his stage name Kanayo O. Kanayo, was born on March 1, 1962. His performance in the film Family Battle earned him the 2006 Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role.
Early Life and Education
In 1962, Kanayo O. Kanayo was born on March 1st. In the Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria, he was born in Nru Umueze Oboama Ezinihitte. Growing up, Kanayo went to St. Joseph Primary School in Aba, Abia State. He completed his secondary schooling at Aba’s Secondary Technical School. At the University of Lagos, he subsequently earned a master degree in philosophy, a second diploma in law, and a diploma in mass communication. In the political sciences, he also earned a master’s degree. He was also admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 2020 after graduating with a law degree from the University of Abuja in 2018.
Kanayo O. Kanayo Career
In 1982, Kanayo began his acting career by appearing in television shows produced by the Nigerian Television Authority, the country’s national broadcaster. He made his film debut in 1992 in the film Living in Bondage. He has starred in more than 100 films and was nominated for an Africa Movie Academy Award in 2008 for Best Actor for his performance in the film Across the Niger. His most recent films are Up North and Living in Bondage: Breaking Free. In 2011, he ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the Nigerian House of Representatives, and seven years later, he ran again without success.
Although he has been in several Nollywood productions, such as Lion Heart and the sitcom Professor Johnbull, he is most recognized for portraying a villain in these works, particularly those that deal with occultism.
He has been given the MFR’s order.
During the centennial celebration in 2014, the government honored Kanayo O. Kanayo along with a number of other Nigerians.
Politics
He was added to the board of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Studies by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in 2013.
On June 3, 2018, Kanayo O. Kanayo expressed interest in serving in the House of Representatives for the upcoming 2019 election year as the representative for Imo State’s Ahiazu/Ezinihitte Mbaise Federal Constituency. He informed the public of this by declaring that he would be affiliated with the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). Despite losing the election, he was anticipated to run in 2023.
Kanayo revealed in 2022 he was not contesting for any job in politics and remarked, “I will not contest for any political office in 2023. This sacrifice is to enable me to work for a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction.”
Personal Life
Since 1999, Kanayo O. Kanayo and his spouse, Nneka Onyekwere, have been wed. Oloaku Valerie, Clinton (also known as Onye Eze Mbaise), Einstein, and Kassochukwa Montell are their four children.
Accomplishments and Honours
His work in the film Family Battle earned him the 2006 Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. For his performance in Across the Niger, he was nominated for Best Actor at the 2008 AMAA awards two years later.
Faith
Despite being well-known for his ritualistic work, Kanayo O. Kanayo is now a pastor and regularly speaks his beliefs in public, even serving as a guest minister at gatherings.
Kanayo O. Kanayo Net Worth
Kanayo O. Kanayo’s $3 million net worth is evidence of his varied revenue streams. His acting career has contributed significantly to his fortune, but he has also pursued other endeavors that have increased his income even more.
Filmography
- Living in Bondage – 1992
- Circle of Doom – 1993
- Nneka the Pretty Serpent – 1994
- Blood Money: The Vulture Men – 1997
- Rituals – 1997
- Full Moon – 1998
- Festival of Fire – 1999
- Chains – 1999
- In Seven Days – 1999
- Battle of Love – 2000
- 419 Connection: Deadly Rose – 2000
- Ngene: The Mistake of the Past Millennium – 2000
- Kids Are Angry – 2001
- Evil-Doers- 2002
- Billionaire’s Club – 2003
- Across the Niger – 2004
- Money is Money – 2005
- End of Money – 2005
- Before Ordination – 2006
- Cover Up – 2007
- Sin No More – 2008
- Lost Desire – 2009
- Apaye – 2014
- October 1 – 2014
- A Little Lie – 2016
- Celebrity Marriage – 2017
- Up North – 2018
- Lion Heart – 2018
- Living in Bondage: Breaking Free – 2019
- Detour – 2021
- Unexpected – 2022
- Charlie and the Boys – 2023
- Finding Odera – 2023
- Zarz End – 2023
- Áfàméfùnà: An Nwa Boi Story – 2023
- Out of Breath – 2024
- Dear God – 2024
