Oga Bello who is one of the oldest actors in the Yoruba arm of Nollywood has been in the business for over five decades.
Here is how his journey to superstardom happened…
He started acting at the age of 11 in 1964 – The actor started out pretty early! At the age of 11 he joined the Young Concert Party, a theatre group, under the leadership of the late Duro Ladipo popularly known as Baba Mero.
Leadership was thrust in his laps at 25 – Oga Bello had to take leadership of the Young Concert Party at the age of 25 after Baba Mero passed – he had been Baba Mero’s assistant before then. This shot him into limelight.
He started this movie stuff acting side by side legends! – When Oga Bello got his first movie role, he acted with legendary Ade Afolayan. Late Ade Afolayan is known to the older generation as Ade Love and to the younger generation as famous filmmaker, Kunle Afolayan and actor Gabriel Afolayan’s dad.
Oga Bello (R) with Kunle Afolayan at Oga Bello’s daughter’s wedding
He was almost cursed with the Quran when his parents found out he was an actor – The actor’s parents were apparently not amused by his chosen field. However, we’re glad he found a way to convince his parents to allow him stick with his passion. Thank you!
He could have been a lawyer – Not sure we can imagine the Jenifa actor with his wig and all that but the star actor said he initially wanted to be a lawyer but ‘theatre took the better of him’. Are we glad or what?
If it wasn’t for Hubert Ogunde, there wouldn’t have been an Oga Bello to celebrate today – According to Oga Bello during an interview with Leadership.ng he almost quit his career as an actor. However, Hubert Ogunde convinced him to stay in Yoruba;
You’ll have to continue with this work. When things are good, that is when opposition surfaces and unpleasant experiences occur but Salami you must roll up your sleeves and never look back. There are greater things ahead. You’ll have to push on.
Seems like we have more reasons to adore the late Ogunde.
Happy birthday, Oga Bello!
This post first appeared on TNS
