Anayo Modestus OnyekwereMFR[1][2]//ⓘ popularly known as Kanayo O. Kanayo//ⓘ (born March 1, 1962)[3] is a Nigerian actor and lawyer.[4] In 2006, He won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in the movie Family Battle.[5][6]
Early life and education
Kanayo was born on March 1, 1962. He is a native of Nru Umueze Oboama Ezinihitte in Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria.[1] Kanayo was raised in Aba, Abia State and attended St. Joseph primary school. He had his secondary education at Secondary Technical School, Aba.[7] He later obtained a diploma in Mass Communication, another diploma in Law and a graduate degree in philosophy from the University of Lagos.[1] He also obtained a master's degree in political sciences.[7] He also obtained a Law degree from the University of Abuja in 2018 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2020.[8][9][10]
Career
Kanayo started his acting career in 1982, acting in productions by the national broadcaster, the Nigerian Television Authority, where he appeared in 1987 Television series Things Fall Apart and Checkmate.[11] He made his debut movie appearance in the year 1992 in the film Living in Bondage.[1] He has starred in over 100 films and was nominated in 2008 for Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the movie Across the Niger. His most recent movies are Up North and Living in Bondage: Breaking Free.
In 2011, he contested for a seat in the Nigerian House of Representatives but lost.[12] Seven years later, he again unsuccessfully contested for same position.[13][14]
He has featured in multiple Nollywood productions including Lion Heart and the sitcom Professor Johnbull,[15] however, he is known for playing the role of a villain in these productions especially in films relating to occultic practices.[16][17]
Kanayo disclosed in 2022 he was not contesting for any position in politics and said, "I will not contest for any political office in 2023. This sacrifice is to enable me to work for a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction."[4]
Personal life
Kanayo and his wife, Nneka Onyekwere have been married since 1999. They have four children: Oloaku Valerie, Clinton (also known as Onye Eze Mbaise), Einstein and Kassochukwa Montell.[21]
Achievements and Awards
In 2006, he won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in the movie Family Battle.[5] Two years later, he received a nomination for Best Actor at the 2008 AMAA awards for his role in Across the Niger.[11]
