Iya Rainbow Biography (Films, Award, Net worth)

Idowu Philips popularly known as Iya Rainbow is a Nigerian veteran actress and healthcare assistant, a certified nurse, movie director, producer….

Biography

Iya Rainbow was born on 16th of October 1942 at Ijebu Ode, in Ogun State. She got her stage name “Iya Rainbow” meaning “Osumare” in Yoruba from the name of the theatre group of Sir Hubert Ogunde, who died in 1990. She studied at Ijebu Ode Ogun State for both her primary and secondary school education. After completing her high school education, she enrolled in a nursing school. Later on, she graduated as a certified nurse and practiced nursing for 20 years, worked as a healthcare assistant in general hospitals in Nigeria for several years and occasionally acted in theatre.

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She went fully into acting after the demise of her husband, Augustine Ayanfemi Phillips , who worked closely with the late patriarch of Nigerian Film Industry Sir Herbert Ogunde. She was 45 years as at that time. She has featured in several Nigerian films, including Apaadi, Eru, and Aje ni iya mi among others.

In 2017, Idowu traveled to Nigeria to feature in and guard a documentary shot by her son Femi Phillip. The documentary was about Mose Orimolade, the founder of Cherubim and Seraphim.

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Filmography

1990- Yemi my Lover
1997- Back to Africa
2000- Lagidigba
2002- Jesu Mushin
2002- Irepodun
2002- Eyin Ogongo
2003- N150 Million
2003- Ìfé òtító
2003- Fila Daddy
2003- Arewa okunrin
2003- Omo oku òrun
2003- Okun ife
2004- Okun ife 2
2004- Okan soso
2004- Okan soso 2
2004- Ògìdán
2004- Ògìdán 2
2006- Abeni
2006- Odun baku
2006- Mewa n sele
2006- Èebúdolá tèmi
2006- Agbefo
2006- Agbefo 2
2007- Orita Ipinya
2007- Olugbare
2007- Olóri
2007- Maku
2007- Kootu olohun
2007- Kilebi olorun
2008- Taiwo Taiwo
2008- Taiwo Taiwo 2
2008- Itakun ola
2008- Ìkúnlè kèsán
2008- Ikilo agba
2008- Igba ewa
2008- Aje metta
2008- Aje metta 2
2009- Ìpèsè
2009- Ìdàmu eléwòn
2009- Elewon
2009- Akoto olokada
2009- Akoto olokada 2
2018- Oga Bolaji
2019- Sugar Rush

Awards and endorsements

She is a proud recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the City People Entertainment Awards.
She has earned several endorsements from various brands such as Airtel.

Personal life

She got married to Augustine Ayanfemi Philips in 1960 but became a widow in 1986. Her husband, Augustine worked closely with the late patriarch of the Nigerian Film Industry, Sir Hubert Ogunde.The actress is blessed with five children. Among them are Sola Osborne and Femi Phillips who are in the film industry. After her husband passed away, she chose not to remarry and opted to focus on taking care of her kids.