Chiwetalu Agu (born 1956) is a Nigerian actor. He won the 2012 Nollywood award for 'best actor in indigenous movie (non-English speaking language)'. His usage of specific language slangs, phrases, or clichés in many films has made him uniquely a household name in Nigeria and among Nollywood fans in general.Nigeria Films news While asserting that comic genres are 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.Supple Magazine
Early years Agu's versatility dates back to the transition of Nigerian television soap operas to Nollywood movies. Before the inception of Nollywood, about 31 years 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. He also featured in ETV Channel 50, now ESBS.Cooper-Chen, Anne (2005), p106
Filmography There is a record of at least about 150 movies in which Agu has been cast.IMDb
Year Film Role Note2002Old School 1986 Things Fall Apart Ripples 2008 Return of Justice By Fire 2003 Traditional Marriage 1 & 2 2002 Fire on the Mountain 1 & 2 2002 Buried In Heaven 1 & 2 Nnanna 2003 Price of the Wicked Omenka Dr. Thomas with Sam Loco Efe The Priest Must Die The Price of Sacrifice 2003 The Catechist 2003 Police Recruit Sunrise 1 & 2 2004 Old School 1-3 Honorable 1 & 2 Sounds of Love 1 & 2 Nkwocha 2004 Across the Niger The Plain Truth 1 7 2 2007Rhythm of Love 1 & 2Church Man 1 & 2UkpabiHoly Anger 1 & 2Evil Twinwith Pete Edochie2008Beauty and the Beast 1-3Uzoma2006Royal Messengers 1 & 22007Royal Destiny 1 & 22007Burning kingdom 1 & 2The Maidenswith Clarion ChukwurahBattle of the Gods 1 & 22011Greedy BrothersWith Sam Loco Efe, Judith Iwu, Francis Odega2016House of troubleWith Judith Iwu, Uche Odoputa2018The Ghost and the ToutChief Ajanaku2017The Wedding Party 2with Adesua Etomi2019Ordinary FellowsMr. Mgbua film by Lorenzo Menakaya2019She Ischief Amosun20205G NetworkHenry's FatherDrama2021The Cleanser2022De jumbledAlakadirected by Benneth Nwankwo2022Aghugho AnyaukwuUbachidirected by Uzoma Sunday Logicman2022InvadersDirected by James Ugoejiofor2023Ada Omo DaddyUncle NdubuisiDirected by Kazim S. Adeoti, Mercy Aigbe and Akay Mason2023The TradeKidnap DriverCrime / Drama
Videography YearTitleDirectorRef2016Agbommma (cameo appearance)Tchidi Chekere
Controversies Agu has raised controversies with comments where he has said that he will act for a good priceNigerian Voice and described the sexual harassment alleged in Nollywood as an issue with a general phenomenon. He added "Nollywood actresses are well endowed".Nigeria Films news See also interview in The Daily Independent.Daily Independent
On 7 October 2021, Chiwetalu Agu was arrested by soldiers at Iweka Bridge in Onitsha, and spent a night in custody before the National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria secured his release from the Nigerian Army after questioning. He was arrested after he was spotted wearing an outfit depicting the flag of Biafra.
Awards and nominations In the first Nollywood Movie Awards in 2012: Agu was nominated for 'the best actor in indigenous movie for his role' in Nkwocha.Daily Times Zulu African Film Academy Awards (ZAFAA London) 2011: Agu's role in The Maidens earned him nomination for 'the best supporting actor'.African Movie News
Agu was the winner in the first-ever Nollywood Movie Awards 2012 for 'the best actor in an indigenous movies with a non-English-speaking language' for his role in Nkwocha.
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