Our childhood memories would not be complete without remembering the Nollywood actors and actresses of the 90s. These veterans made our childhood adventurous and a memorable one. The likes of Patience Ozokwor, Lalude, Pete Edochie, Alapini, Iya Gbonkan, Baba Suwe, Saint Obi, Hanks Anuku and Sola Sobowale among others. Read also
Nollywood has evolved and most of these Nollywood veterans are no longer in the limelight. In some cases some of them are deteriorating while some are living comfortably.
Of recent some Nollywood actors and actresses have come online to beg for financial support over their failing health or hardship.
Iya Gbonkan once came on social media and expressed regret of not owning a car despite featuring in many movies and being a celebrity. After this her fans rallied round and gifted her a car.
Alapini and Lalude also came online to beg for financial support over their hailing health and poor living condition. Read also
Old Nollywood veterans coming online to solicit for help is questionable as to whether the industry really care for it’s members or whether film producers pay actors well.
Some believe that these old actors who come online to beg spent their earnings in the industry recklessly and didn’t plan for retirement.
Berating these old actors, Actress Jaiye Kuti, a Gen Z actress came on social media and noted that Yoruba actors begging online are painting the industry in bad light. According to her, acting doesn’t have a pension thus actors need to prepare for their future. Read also
“All the Yoruba actors coming on Instagram to beg should stop giving us bad names. This job doesn’t have a pension, so when you are young and active, you need to prepare for the future.
“This job is a success for me because I earn big, and I am already preparing for my future. You can’t make it compulsory for your colleague to give you money when you are sick”, Jaiye Kuti.
Actors and actresses in the 21st century are doing well for themselves with most of them being paid handsomely for movie roles and as well having multiple streams of income.
The likes of Funke Akindele, Eniola Badmus, Iyabo Ojo, Toyin Abraham, Femi Adebayo, Ibrahim Chatta, Lateef Adedimeji among others.
These are not only successful but are employers of labour who have large following on social media. This earns them money plus brand ambassadorial deals.
Compared to entertainers in the 90s it seems they were underpaid or probably they came to fame when social media was unpopular. During their time there was nothing like brand ambassadorial deals, TV ads, earning on YouTube, Netflix etc.
The life of Nollywood veterans in the 90s and that of the present day movie veterans seems to be two parallel lines that will never meet.