By Damiete Braide
Through his unwavering passion and dedication, actor Ejike Okoye has carved a place for himself in the Nigerian film industry.
From his early fascination with action movie legends to becoming a recognised face in Nollywood, Okoye’s journey is a testament to perseverance and love for storytelling.
Ejike Okoye’s love for acting sprouted naturally from his childhood. Inspired by action icons like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren, he dreamt of emulating their on-screen prowess.
His physical appearance and unique style of dressing set him apart during auditions, often securing him roles that involved action and stunts. This early recognition among his peers and the audience reinforced his passion for storytelling, ultimately transforming it into a lifelong career.
“When I was younger, I admired legends like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone,” Okoye recalled. “My physical appearance and style of dressing made me stand out among my peers whenever I attended auditions, helping me secure roles that required action and stunts. Acting in those small hit man roles effectively turned people, especially my peers, into a captive audience.”
The path to stardom in Nollywood was fraught with challenges. Okoye acknowledged that the journey was tough and filled with setbacks. However, his resolve never wavered.
“It’s a long haul. You go through a lot of defeat and setbacks. Truthfully, it has been challenging, but whenever I decide to do something, I give it all I have without looking back.”
Initially, the financial rewards were minimal, which the actor described as “peanuts”. Despite this, his goal and passion for making movies and telling stories drove him to persevere.
“The passion for making movies and the desire to tell a story drove me to persevere. I focused on doing the best I could, sharpening my skills, building relationships, and impacting the industry positively,” he explained.
Okoye’s commitment to extraordinary stunts in his roles became a significant factor in negotiating his future in the industry. “I added value outside of my roles with extraordinary stunts, which helped me negotiate my future in the industry. I was driven by impact, not money – in other words, fame before money.”
Reflecting on his initial challenges, Okoye emphasized the importance of resilience and continuous improvement. “It was quite challenging in the beginning, but I focused on becoming famous by doing the best I could, sharpening my skill sets, networking, and building relationships. Success doesn’t come overnight, and it certainly isn’t easy,” he noted.
Drawing parallels with industry giants like Walt Disney and Steven Spielberg, Okoye underscored the inevitability of setbacks. “Walt Disney was forced to sell his first cartoon company because he went broke, Spielberg was rejected by the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, and John Lasseter was fired by Walt Disney before being re-hired to direct Toy Story in 1995.”
For Okoye, acting is more than a profession; it is a form of therapy. He cherishes the adventurous aspect of moviemaking, which allows him to learn about different cultures and interact with people from diverse backgrounds.
“Acting is like a form of therapy to me. I love the adventurous part of moviemaking, where I get to learn different cultures and interact with many people from different backgrounds.
“Acting reshaped my life in many ways. It brought out the professionalism in me. I had the opportunity to work in a fast-paced environment as an actor, which was an added advantage to what I have become today.”
“I like scripts that educate the viewers, scripts that are based on true life stories, scripts that portray our culture. Most importantly, I look for scripts that can make a positive impact on society.”
Okoye looks up to legends like Pete Edochie, the late Amaechi Muonagor, and Alex Usifo. These figures have inspired him throughout his career.