Actor Chinedu Okeke Explains Nollywood Exit Over Typecasting
LAGOS, NIGERIA – Nigerian actor Chinedu Okeke has revealed that he stepped away from Nollywood due to persistent typecasting in negative roles, which he says began to negatively impact his real-life perception and career satisfaction.
Okeke, who initially embraced "bad boy, hitman, and thief roles," found the repeated portrayal of such characters problematic when fans started associating him directly with those roles off-screen. "Fans started pointing at me off camera and shouting, ‘See that thief from film’," he explained, highlighting the blurring lines between his on-screen persona and personal identity.
The actor, who describes himself as "very responsible" and "educated," sought to diversify his roles, requesting "something softer, maybe a lover boy or even a pastor" from directors. However, his pleas were reportedly met with consistent offers for scripts revolving around "guns, blood, and prison."
"At one point I asked myself, ‘Is this who I really am?’ I knew I could do better, so I walked away," Okeke stated, indicating his decision was driven by a desire for more varied and fulfilling acting opportunities that would not pigeonhole him in the public's mind. His departure underscores the challenges actors face with typecasting in the film industry and its potential implications for their public image and career trajectory.
