Osita Iheme MFR (; born 20 February 1982) popularly known as Pawpaw, is a Nigerian actor, author, film producer and comedian. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest comedic actors in the history of Nollywood.https://thenet.ng/top-20-greatest-nollywood-actors-of-all-time/ Recognized for his physical stature, mischievous characterization, and idiosyncratic comedic timing, he became one of the most indelible figures of the industry's home-video era. He is best known for his iconic role as Pawpaw in Aki na Ukwa (2002) alongside Chinedu Ikedieze. Since then, he has starred in several Nollywood productions including 2 Rats (2003), Baby Police (2003), Nollywood Babylon (2008), The Mirror Boy (2011), Christmas in Miami and Aki and Pawpaw (2021). Iheme subsequently became one of the most recognizable Nollywood figures in global internet and meme culture, with his expressions and mannerisms widely trending through memes and social media. The phenomenon expanded his international profile and earned him a worldwide cult following.https://nollymania.com/how-osita-iheme-came-to-be-the-greatest-meme-out-of-nollywood/ Iheme was the recipient of the 2007 Africa Movie Academy Award for Lifetime Achievement and was conferred Order of the Federal Republic (MFR), a federal honour by President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011.

Early life Birth and education Iheme was born on 20 February 1982 in Abia State, located in the southeastern region of Nigeria, although a native of Mbaitoli, Imo State, southeast Nigeria, to a family of five with parents, Herbert and Augustina Iheme. He had his MBA from the Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad (IMT). After his education, he began acting in 1998 where he acted initially in a featured role.

Career

Iheme was often typecast in the role of a child in various films. He rose to prominence after starring as Pawpaw with Chinedu Ikedieze in Aki na Ukwa (2002). He became the ambassador of TAJBank in 2023. He plans to run for Political Office in the future.

Personal life Gunmen killed Prince Iheme, the elder brother to Osita, in Owerri, Imo State in 2022.

Legacy and influence To reward his contribution towards comedy genre movies Nigerian Film Industry, in 2011 he was awarded the Nigerian National Honor of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) by President Goodluck Jonathan. In 2007, he was given the lifetime Achievement award by AMAA (African movie Academy Awards).

Osita Iheme's performance alongside fellow actor and his longtime friend Chinedu Ikedieze in the 2002 film Aki na Ukwa is still widely spoken about and the duo, especially Osita's character, on-screen trending through memes since 2019 on Twitter and other social media platforms. This eventually earned him a global fanbase.

Filmography Year Film Role Notes 2002Aka GumChidiwith Chinedu IkediezeAki na ukwaPawpawwith Chinedu IkediezeOkwu na uka with Chinedu Ikedieze & Patience Ozokwor 20032 Ratswith Chinedu Ikedieze, Patience Ozokwor and Amaechi MuonagorBaby PoliceDadawith Okey Billy BonifaceBack from AmericaRiskywith Chinedu Ikedieze and Rita DominicCharge & BailUzochukwuwith Chinedu IkediezeGood Motherwith Amaechi MuonagorGreen SnakeAkpurukawith Nkiru SylvanusI, Not Stupidwith Sam Loco EfeI'm in LoveOsuonduwith Chinedu IkediezeInformantwith John OkaforJohn and Johnny Just ComeJohnny Just ComeJohnsonwith Sam Loco EfeLagos Boyswith Chinedu IkediezeLocal Championwith Chinedu IkediezeNicodemuswith John OkaforNwa TeacherAzigowith Chinedu IkediezeOke BelgiumKekereOnunaeyi: Seeds of Bondagewith Pete Edochie, Chinedu Ikedieze, Patience Ozokwor & Clem OhamezePipiro with Chinedu IkediezeShow Bobo: The American BoysIkemwith Chinedu IkediezeSchool DropoutsEjioforwith Chinedu IkediezeTell Themwith Sola FosudoThe Tom and JerryJerrywith Chinedu Ikedieze 2004American Husbandwith Amaechi MuonagorBig Daddieswith Chinedu IkediezeColumbia ConnectionMr. IbuMuowith John OkaforNot by Heightwith Chinedu IkediezeSunday School Childrenwith Chinedu Ikedieze 2005Colours of EmotionSparkwith Chinedu IkediezeFinal World Cupwith Chinedu IkediezeHoly DiamondIkennawith Happiness AdibeI Think TwiceObinnawith Chinedu IkediezeThe Last OrphanMy Businesswith Chiwetalu AguOne Good Turnwith Chinedu IkediezeReggae Boyswith Chinedu IkediezeSecret Adventurewith Chinedu IkediezeSpoilerwith Chinedu IkediezeTwin Brotherswith Sam Loco EfeVillage Boyswith Chinedu Ikedieze 2006African Tallest Menwith Chinedu IkediezeBig Thief Small Thief with Amaechi MuonagorBlessed Sonwith Chinedu IkediezeBoys from HollandPablowith Chinedu IkediezeBrain Boxwith Chinedu Ikedieze, Kanayo O. Kanayo & Sam Loco EfeBrain MastersIkewith Chinedu IkediezeCat & RatKaluwith Chinedu IkediezeCriminal LawChriswith Chinedu IkediezeJadonPrince Jadonwith Chinedu IkediezeKadurawith Chinedu IkediezeLast Challengewith Kanayo O. Kanayo & Chinedu IkediezeMagic CapAnyawith Chinedu IkediezeRemote ControlIchie Okwubanegowith Nora AmahRoyal Messengerswith Chinedu IkediezeSweet Moneywith Chinedu Ikedieze'U' Generalwith Chinedu Ikedieze & Patience OzokworWinning Your Lovewith Chinedu Ikedieze & Patience OzokworYoung Masterswith Chinedu Ikedieze 2007Thunder Stormwith Chinedu IkediezeStubborn FliesSambrowith Chinedu IkediezeSpirit of a Prophetwith Chinedu Ikedieze & Clem OhamezePowerful CivilianJoewith Chinedu Ikedieze & Victor OsuagwuPower as of OldChechewith Chinedu Ikedieze & Clem OhamezeEscape to Destinywith Chinedu IkediezeCain & Abelwith Chinedu IkediezeVillage DestroyersAchowith Chinedu Ikedieze and Kenneth Okonkwo 2008Daddy Must Obeywith Chinedu IkediezeIntelligent StudentsSantoswith Chinedu Ikedieze and Sam Loco EfeMarkus D Millionairewith Chinedu Ikedieze 2009Onye Obiomawith Chinedu Ikedieze2010Loyal EnemiesMesharkwith Chinedu Ikedieze and Van Vicker 2011Ben Tenwith Chinedu IkediezeLove for the Kidsfollowed by Another Love; with Chinedu IkediezeAnother Lovesequel to Love for the Kids; with Chinedu IkediezeThe Mirror BoyMirror Boywith Genevieve NnajiYellow Sisiwith Chinedu Ikedieze2012Kingdom on Earthwith John DumeloVillage RascalsPopowith Chinedu Ikedieze 2013Double MamaArusiwith Chiwetalu AguThe Fighterwith Chinedu Ikedieze and Funke AkindeleTerrible Twoswith Chinedu Ikedieze 2014Bomboyfollowed by Osuofia the Boxer; with Nkem OwohOsuofia the Boxersequel to Bomboy; with Nkem OwohPawpaw the Guitar Boywith Chiwetalu Agu 2015Two Sons of Aliwith Chinedu Ikedieze 2016The Twin Sisterswith Chinedu Ikedieze 2017Celebrity MarriageThe Self-Destruction of Little Mark 2018Ada My LoveGames Men Play 5: Computer Games Is Our GameToo Much Moneywith Chinedu Ikedieze2019BabysitterSabinuswith Emma Ayalogu 2021Aki and PawpawPawpawwith Chinedu IkediezeFatty and Sons AutosAkiWith Chinedu Ikedieze, Muyiwa AdegokeChristmas in MiamiRaphaelWith Ayo Makun, Richard Mofe-Damijo 2023Welcome to AfricaSabinus the Best ManDon LittleWith Tobi Bakre, Sophia Chisom 2024The OddsWith Kelechi Udegbe unknownHouse Boys for Salewith Patience Ozokwor and Chinedu Ikedieze

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