Richard Mofe-Damijo, one of the most talented actors in Nollywood’s history, turned 60 on Tuesday, July 6, 2021.
Born at Aladja in Delta State, Mofe-Damijo had his secondary school education at Midwest College, Warri, and went on to obtain a bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Benin. He also had short stints as a reporter at the defunct Concord Newspaper, as well as Metro Magazine.
Mofe-Damijo was married to May Ellen-Ezekiel, publisher of Classique Magazine, editor of Quality Magazine, and host of the Mee & You Television Talk Show. Four years after Ellen-Ezekiel died in March 1996, he took another shot at love, and in December 2000 he married Jumoke Adegbesan, former host of the show “Lunch Break” on Africa Independent Television (AIT).
In 2004, Mofe-Damijo graduated with a law degree from the University of Lagos, and was called to the Nigerian Bar the following year. He would go on to serve as the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Delta State between 2009 and 2015.
Mofe-Damijo burst into the movie scene in the 1980s when he featured in a soap opera called Ripples. He has since starred in over 100 films, including Out Of Bounds, Scores to Settle, Hostages, Diamond Ring, I Want Your Wife, 30 Days In Atlanta, The Wedding Party, 10 Days In Sun City, God Calling and Namaste Wahala, among others. In 2016, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Africa Movie Academy Awards.
Widely regarded as one of Nollywood’s standout icons, he has continued to flourish in lead roles, with commanding performances that belie his age. For his role in Oloibiri, he won the award for Best Actor In a Leading Role at the 2017 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards. He runs a production company called RMD Production Limited, and he is currently the producer of a family drama series called The Mr. X Family Show.
In an Instagram post, Mofe-Damijo waxed poetic as he reflected on his life’s journey.
“What an incredible journey this has been. Yet I won’t tire…just super grateful and thankful…life like a Nollywood movie”, he wrote.
Colleagues in the movie industry, media stakeholders and fans were quick to extend their best wishes to the father of four, who is regarded by Nigerian ladies as one of the sexiest men alive.
Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, the host of Big Brother Naija, made reference to Mofe-Damijo’s iconic status in an aptly-worded tweet.
“RMD is 60 today. What a legend!”
Nollywood actress Dakore Egbuson-Akande, who starred with Mofe-Damijo in the courtroom drama series Castle & Castle, was effusive in her praise for the actor, composing a heartfelt Instagram post to celebrate him.
“How many 60-year-olds look like this? They’re few and far between, that’s for sure! But this man goes way beyond his great looks. He has been an inspiration to me, and I’m sure, to a lot of people cutting across different ages, stages and disciplines.”
Netng reached out to some Nollywood stakeholders who had worked with Mofe-Damijo in the past. One of them, Nkiru Njoku, Head Writer for the Mnet hit series Tinsel, described the actor as one of the industry’s finest.
“RMD is easily one of the best actors in Nigeria. As he gets older, his talent becomes more like fine wine, to reference a cliche. He occupies a place in Nollywood where he can almost be regarded as irreplaceable. Clocking 60 and being on top of his game, looking good while at it? He’s a blessed man.”
Nigerian comedian and talk show host Teju Babyface, in an interview with Netng, held nothing back as he extolled Mofe-Damijo’s durability as an industry heavyweight.
“Every industry, especially the creative industry, has its lodestar, the archetype. For the Nigerian movie industry, it’s RMD. If you ask any of us to point to that star that defines entertainment in Nigeria, he (Mofe-Damijo) will always be in the conversation. As far back as the mid-2000s, RMD was in a Hollywood film with Michael Power. He’s not a fly-by-night phenomenon. I remember watching him on ‘Ripples’ while growing up in the eighties. To have gone into politics, then picked up where he left off, and even become better, is no mean feat.
Richard Mofe-Damijo marked his 60th birthday in style, hosting an exclusive black-tie party at the Federal Palace Hotel in Lagos. For Nollywood’s suave zaddy, life has only just begun.
