Chiwetalu Agu – Biography, Career, Awards & More
Chiwetalu Agu (born 1956) is a veteran Nigerian actor, comedian and muvie producer who won the 2012 Nollywood award for ‘best actor in indigenous muvie (non-English speaking language)’. His usage of specific language slang, phrases or clichés in each film has made him uniquely a household name in Nigeria and among Nollywood admirers abroad.
While asserting that comic genres is a unique vehicle in projecting Nigerian culture globally as well as establishing the Nollywood brand, Agu is listed as one of the outstanding comedians who have contributed to the development of Nollywood comic genres by Prof. Femi Shaka of the University of Port Harcourt.
Agu is married to Nkechi and has three sons and two daughters.
Early years
Agu’s versatility dates back to the transition of Nigerian television soap operas to Nollywood muvies. Before the inception of Nollywood, few decades ago, television soap opera was the order of the day and Agu featured in Nigerian Television Authority Channel 8 Enugu’s Ikoro, produced by Joe Onyekwelu.
Agu also featured in ETV Channel 50, now ESBS. in soaps like Baby Come Now and Ripples (in Lagos), produced by Chico Ejiro’s brother, Zeb; in the latter he played the character of Chief Abunna.
Acting career
Being one of the foremost actors in Nollywood, Agu’s ingenuity is unique as an actor because of his wit, humor, invention of specific clichés, customized phrases or slang in every film. For his numerous fans, he is fun to watch any day.
What amazes most watchers is how he combines his well-disciplined life with the wicked or devilish roles he acts in films. Even though Agu has the versatility to play the roles of comedian, wicked or tricky person, he sometimes finds it difficult to reconcile his lifestyle with the negative roles he plays, admitting that he sometimes shed tears for his characters.
Filmography
There is a record of at least about 150 muvies in which Agu has been cast.
| Year | Film | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last Ofalla 1-4 | |||
| Taboo | Ichie Ogwu | ||
| 1986 | Things Fall Apart | ||
| Ripples | |||
| 2008 | Return of Justice By Fire | ||
| Traditional Marriage 1 & 2 | |||
| ;;;;;; | Fire on the Mountain 1 & 2 | ||
| Price of the Wicked | |||
| Dr. Thomas | with Sam Loco Efe | ||
| The Priest Must Die | |||
| The Price of Sacrifice | |||
| The Catechist | |||
| Police Recruit | |||
| Sunrise 1 & 2 | |||
| Old School 1-3 | |||
| Honorable 1 & 2 | |||
| Sounds of Love 1 & 2 | |||
| Nkwocha | |||
| Across the Niger | |||
| The Plain Truth 1 7 2 |
| Sounds of Love 1 & 2 | |||
| Church Man 1 & 2 | Ukpabi | ||
| Holy Anger 1 & 2 | |||
| Evil Twin | with Pete Edochie | ||
| Beauty and the Beast 1-3 | |||
| Royal Messengers 1 & 2 | |||
| Royal Destiny 1 & 2 | |||
| 2007 | Burning kingdom 1 & 2 | ||
| The Maidens | with Clarion Chukwurah | ||
| Battle of the Gods 1 & 2 | |||
| 2017 | The Wedding Party 2 | with Adesua Etomi |
Few Videography
| Year | Title | Director | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Agbommma Cameo appearance | Tchidi Chekere |
Notable Awards and Nominations
- In the first Nollywood Movie Awards in 2012: Agu was nominated for ‘the best actor in indigenous muvie for his role’ in Nkwocha.
- Zulu African Film Academy Awards (ZAFAA London) 2011: Agu’s role in The Maidens earned him nomination for ‘the best supporting actor’.
- In the 2008 4th annual African Movie Academy Awards for his role in Across the Niger Agu was nominated for ‘the best actor in a supporting role.’.
- Agu was the winner in the first ever Nollywood Movie Awards 2012 for ‘the best actor in an indigenous muvie: non English speaking language’ for his role in Nkwocha.
