The Nigerian movie industry has had Nollywood stars who started their careers as far back as the 1970s, and their growth has also influenced the trajectory of the entire industry.
In this article, we discuss the “Then and Now” versions of some of the best actors and actresses that have come out of Nigeria.
- Funke Akindele

The actress started her acting career in 1998, with a role in a television series “I need to know” as the character “Bisi” she went on to gain fame in the industry with her show “Jenifa’s Diary,” and the movies “Jenifa” and “Omo Ghetto.”
Her most recent performance is in the 2025 movie “Finding Me,” which she directed. Funke Akindele is now not just an actress but also a director and producer.
- Genevieve Nnaji

The 46-year-old actress has a career that has spanned more than two decades in the Nollywood industry and is not just an actress but a director, her first notable role was in movie “Love Boat,” where she played the role of the character ‘Bimbo’.
Genevieve’s last role was in 2021, in the “FELA! Ten Twenty” film as Sewaa Kuti, the Kalakuta Queen.
- Ramsey Nouah

Ramsey’s acting career started as far back as 1993, giving him more than two decades of a well documented career. His first notable role was in the movie Silent night but one role that shot him into the spotlight was his role as Emeka in the movie “End of the wicked”.
He is also known for his role in the movies 30 days in Atlanta, living in bondage and Merry Men. His last role was in 2024, in the film “A Country Called Ghana”. He is an actor and a director.
- Jim Iyke

The 48 year old actor is very well known in the industry for his role in the movies “The Last Flight To Abuja”, “Merry Men” and “Royal madness”.
Jim Iyke has been acting since 1998 and his last role was in a 2024 film called “No Fury”.
- Patience Ozokwor

Popularly known as Mama G, the actress is well known as one of the top performers in the Nollywood scene, and for her roles as the evil mother in a lot of classic Nollywood movies. Some of the movies she has been in are “Price of the wicked”, “Billionaires club”, “Evil woman” and the “Wedding party”.
Her most recent role was in Funke Akindele’s film, “Everybody loves Jenifa” in 2024.
- Mercy Johnson

Mercy Johnson is a director, actress and producer and she has been in the industry as far back as 2004, well known for her early 2000s roles and also known for having been in movies for top actors in the industry. Some of her earliest works were “The maid”, “Into temptation” and “Women in power”.
Her last role to date was Ejiro in the movie “Ejiro’s wish”.
- Desmond Elliot

The Nigerian actor, director and politician started his career as an actor in the 1990s, some of his earliest roles are in the movies “Infidelity”, “Passion and pain” and “Melody of Life”.
His most recent role was in the movie, “Unknown Soja”.
- Nkem Owoh

The Nigerian actor popularly known for his role in the hit Nollywood movies, “Osuofia in London” and he has a career spanning almost 3 decades, as his career started as far back as the 1980s.
He is an actor, comedian, and a singer and has won major awards for his acting. His most recent role was in 2024, in the movie “Enemy of Kingdom”.
- Pete Edochie

Lauded as one of the most talented actors in the Nigerian movies industry, Pete Edochie has been honored with many awards and is most prominent for his role in the adaptation of best selling novel “Things fall apart” by Chinua Achebe, where he played the lead role of Okonkwo.
His career has spanned decades and he has been in other prominent movies like “The billionaires club” and Lionheart, his most recent role was in the 2023 film, “Ifediche”.
- Faithia Balogun

Filmmaker, actress, producer and director, Faithia Balogun is one of the oldest actors in the Nollywood industry. Her career started in 1978 and has continued to thrive, even now.
Faithia has been in prominent movies and is a household name in Nigerian homes, especially for her roles in Yoruba movies. Some of her earliest roles are in “Aja metta”, “Jelili”, “Eku Eda” and “Farayola”.
Her most recent role is in the 2025 film, “Labake Olododo”.
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