Grace-Charis Bassey Effah (born 14 December 1984) is a Nigerian actress and presenter. She has won six awards throughout her career, including the Most Promising Act of the Year award at the 9th Africa Movie Academy Awards. She changed her name after an encounter with God to Grace-Charis Bassey.
Early life and education Grace-Charis Bassey was born Uyu Effah on 14 December 1984 in Cross River State, a coastal state in Southern Nigeria. Her father, Lieutenant Commander Asido Bassey Effah, was a commander in the Nigerian Navy.
She had her primary and secondary education at Hillside International Nursery & Primary School and Nigerian Navy Secondary School, Port Harcourt respectively. She furthered her studies at the University of Calabar, majoring in Genetics and Bio-Technology. While in secondary school, she adopted the first name Belinda after her brother suggested that she and her siblings change their names. According to an interview with The Punch Newspaper, she claimed that the disciplinary nature of her dad towards his 14 children was very helpful in shaping her career.
Career She made her Nollywood television debut in the 2005 TV series Shallow Waters. Afterwards, she took a break from the series to feature in the reality show Next Movie Star. She finished 5th, and was never evicted from the house.
She was once a television presenter for Sound City, a Nigerian Entertainment cable station. However, she left the station to start her own TV show titled Lunch Break with Belinda.
She is the CEO and founder of GCB Empire, a Nigeria-based clothing and fashion brand.
In 2022, Iké Udé's portrait of her was featured in the Nollywood Portraits exhibition at the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art.
In 2025, Grace joined the United States of America Navy, a career she has longed and dreamed for.
Television Year Television Role 2005 Shallow Waters The Room 2011 Tales of Eve Simi
Filmography Year Film Role Java's House 2012 Kokomma KokommaMrs. Somebody Alan Poza Bunmi Lonely Hearts Aima Misplaced The Hunters Cat and Mouse Princess Ekanem After the Proposal Oyinye 2014 Udeme MmiIma Apaye Young YepayeyeBambitiousBambi A Certan NightAnitaMusical Whispers Azonto Babes Jump and PassIdare2015Ojuju Calabar The Banker Daisy AburiDesperate HousegirlsImaobongKeeping SecretLuke of LiesSholaFollyAprilSo In LoveBeing SingleHeroes and VillainsKiki2016Black ValLost PrideJennyOracles OnlineEmeMelting PointA Star in HeavenMary2017Cash DaddyDoctorTalking DollsLindaTimid TimiAnitau 2018 SA Girl EffeA Break from RealityTomiThe Lost CaféEfeThe QuestLaide2019CrackBurstedInside Nollywood: Chapter 1SelfHire a WomanZainabThe Devil WithinMiracleMiracle, Producer2020Angel and GabrielaGabrielaSecret Twins 1Secret Twins 22021Fine WineAngelaSanitation DayEkaetteEnemy CloserMuna2022Hard ChoiceCynthiaForeigner's GodOge2023Twin FlameBlessingLahiraAlicia Kubanji
Accolades YearAwardCategoryFilmResult2012 Best of Nollywood Awards Most Promising Act (female)Kokomma Golden Icons Academy Awards Best New Actress 2013Nollywood Movies Awards Best Rising Star Nollywood Movies Awards Best Indigenous Actress Africa Movie Academy Awards Most Promising ActUdeme Mmi Ntanta Award 2014ELOY AwardsMovie Actress of the YearAfter The Proposal20142014 Golden Icons Academy Movie AwardBest Supporting ActressAPAYE 2016Africa Magic Viewers' Choice AwardsBest Actress in a DramaStop
Personal life In 2016, she gave birth to a son in the United States. She has kept the identity of the child's father private.
In 2021, she publicly announced that she would like to be addressed as Grace-Charis Bassey rather than as Belinda Effah. She explained that, on 15 August 2020, she had a divine encounter with God that prompted her to change her name to Grace. Charis is a word of Greek origin that also means "grace."
See also List of Nigerian actors
References