Frederick Nnaemeka Leonard, (born May 1, 1976) is a Nigerian actor who won the award for Best Supporting Actor in a movie at the Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards in 2014 and in 2016 won the City People Movie Award For Best Supporting Actor of the Year (English) at the City People Entertainment Awards.
Early life and education Leonard was born in Anambra State, Nigeria which is a south-eastern geographical area of Nigeria predominantly occupied by the Igbo people of Nigeria. He is the firstborn child of his parents in a family of four consisting of two children, a mother and a father. He received primary education in St Peter's Anglican Primary School, Alausa, Ikeja In Lagos State and attended Oregun High School in Oregun, Ikeja In Lagos State also for secondary education. In bid to obtain a degree he relocated to Kaduna State In Northern Nigeria and applied to Kaduna Polytechnic where he was accepted and eventually graduated with a degree in biochemistry. He is married to Peggy Ovire.
Career Leonard debuted his career into the Nigerian movie industry in 2001 where he played brief one scene roles and took a break from acting almost immediately after he debuted in order to complete his university education and obtain a degree. Upon completion of his university education, Leonard returned to the Nigerian movie industry referred to commonly as Nollywood in 2008 and obtained his first ever lead role in a movie titled Indian Doctor. In 2009, he ventured into the Nigerian TV soap opera series and featured in a TV series titled Disclosure which aired predominantly on Africa Magic on DSTV. Leonard debuted his career with a movie titled Grey and subsequently in 2019 produced a movie titled Void.
Influence Leonard credited Bimbo Akintola, a Nigerian female actress as one of the people who have influenced his acting style.
Awards and nominations YearAwardCategoryWorkResultRef2014Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards Best Supporting Actor2015Golden Icons Academy Movie AwardsBest Actor2016City People Movie AwardBest Supporting Actor of the Year (English) Zulu African Film Academy AwardsBest Actor Woeman
Personal life Leonard is an orphan and has spoken publicly about the devastating impact of losing both parents especially the death of his mother which he described as an unfortunate incident that has created a void in his life. Leonard in an interview with a Nigerian print media This Day, described himself as introvert and not the party type and also revealed that he doesn't drink nor smoke and maintains a very small circle of few friends and family. He married his long-time partner and colleague, Peggy Ovire, on November 19, 2022.
Selected filmography
Films (partial) Maid of Honour (2024) as David Ghetto Heart (2024) as Kess Man in Love (2024) as Freddie A Father's Love (2024) as Frank Crushed (2023) as Tony Good Things (2023) as Oliver Stay (2022) as Dave On Her Terms (2022) as Jason Desperate son (2021) The Royal dignity (2021) A Perfect Past (2020) as Sly Our Jesus Story (2020) as Jesus Christ Void (2019) as Tonna The Reunion (2019) 40 Looks Good on You (2019) A Better Family (2018) as Nick In Every Way (2018) as Dominic Timid Timi (2017) as Daniel Discontent (2017) as Damian Promise Beyond (2016) as Victor Asare Monster Under Skin (2015) A Certain Night (2014) as John Accident (2013) as Chike Miss Queen (2012) as Richard 100% Secret (2012) as Collins Courtesy of Vengeance (2012) as Nkado Felicima: One Gift (2009) as Musa Plane Crash (2008) as Charles Indian Doctor (2008) as Chibuzor
See also List of Nigerian actors
References
External links IMDb Page Of Frederick Leonard