Pete Edochie Biography (Career, Challenges, Films)

A Nigerian actor born on the 7th of March 1947 in Enugu, Nigeria. He hails from Anambra State, but was raised in Zaria, Kaduna.

Biography

Pete Edochie was born on the 7th of March 1947 in Enugu, Nigeria. He hails from Anambra State, but was raised in Zaria, Kaduna. He had his primary education at St. Patrick’s and St. James Primary School, Zaria. And then proceeded to St. John’s College for secondary education. Subsequently, Edochie attended the School of Journalism and Television in England and also did some courses overseas.

After his secondary school education, before he moved to England to study, Edochie worked with Nigerian Railway Corporation. Then in 1967, after his education, he got into broadcasting

Career

He began his career at the age of 20 when he got into the broadcasting corporation. He started as a junior program assistant and rose to the position of director where he acted in different directorial capacities.

He quit ABS because the government decided to politicize the affairs of their FM station, thereby resulting in the entire management being asked to move out, including him. He was to be the immediate successor to the MD but had to leave and enroll into the movie industry. Prior to that, he had featured in Things Fall Apart and had won an International Award. The BBC flew into Nigeria to interview him for his role in Things Fall Apart. He is credited with over 18 movies to his name.

In September 2017, Edochie endorsed Wikimedia movement in Nigeria by appearing in a video to increase awareness and use of Wikipedia among the older generations.

The Famous G8

In 2005 the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria placed Pete Edochie and several other actors, including Genevieve Nnaji, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Nkem Owoh, Ramsey Noah, Stella Damasus Aboderin, and Richard Mofe Damijo on a one-year ban from filming after they were said to have been collecting huge fees from producers due to their A-list celebrity status. The ban placed on these actors was seen as doom in the Nigerian film business, but currently, the actors are back in filming.

Challenges

In 2009 Edochie was kidnapped and later released by his captors unharmed.

Controversies

In 2020, Pete Edochie played a lead role in a movie titled “Fatal Arrogance” which generated lots of controversy.

The Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN, also known as Shiites, attack the veteran Nollywood actor over his role in a new movie, insisting that the movie attempts to portray the union as a terrorist group.

The actor however insisted that he is not responsible for whatever issues the movie might generate insisting the movie producers should be held responsible

Filmography

Secret Pain (2007)
Fair Game (2006)
Holy Cross (2006)
Lacrima (2006)
Living with Death (2006) …. Mr. Harrison
Passage of Kings (2006)
Simple Baby (2006)
Zoza (2006)
Azima (2005)
Baby Girl (2005)
End of Money (2005)
Living in Tears (2005)
Never End (2005)
No More War (2005)
Ola… the Morning Sun (2005)
Price of Ignorance (2005)
The Price of Love: Life Is Beautiful (2005)
Sacred Tradition (2005)
The Tyrant (2005)
Across the Niger (2004)
Coronation (2004)
Dogs Meeting (2004) …. Anacho
Dons in Abuja (2004)
The Heart of Man (2004)
King of the Jungle (2004)
Love from Above (2004)
My Desire (2004)
Negative Influence (2004)
The Staff of Odo (2004)
St. Michael (2004)
Above Death: In God We Trust (2003)
Arrows (2003)
Billionaire Club (2003)
Egg of Life (2003)
Honey (2003)
Love & Politics (2003)
Miserable Wealth (2003)
The Omega (2003)
Onunaeyi: Seeds of Bondage (2003)
Rejected Son (2003)
Selfish Desire (2003)
Super Love (2003)
Tears in the Sun (2003)
Tunnel of Love (2003)
When God Says Yes (2003)
Battle Line (2002)
My Love (2002)
Tears & Sorrows (2002)
Greedy Genius (2001)
Holy Ghost Fire (2001)
Terrible Sin (2001)
Oduduwa (2000)
Set-Up (2000)
Chain Reaction (1999)
Lost Kingdom (1999)
Narrow Escape (1999)
Living in Darkness (1999)
Rituals (1997)
Things Fall Apart (1987), TV series
Last Ofalla
Lion throne
Lion of Africa
Igodo
Evil men
Monkey chop banana
Idemili
50 days with Christ
The Egg

Personal life

He got married to Josephine Edochie at age 22, and the union is blessed with six children, 5 boys and 1 girl. Two of his sons; Linc and Yul Edochie are popular because they are also professional actors in the industry.

Net worth

His net worth is estimated to $3.8 million. Till date, he has remained one of the most influential and richest actors in Nigeria.

Awards

He is an award-winning actor. He has received recognitions both locally and internationally.

Inducted into the hall of fame in 2003
Movie Personality of the Year, City People Magazine, 1999
Best Actor in Africa, Censors’ Board, 2001
Best Actor in Nigeria, Censors’ Board, 2003
Member of the Order of the Niger, Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, 2003
Special Recognition Award, Best of Nollywood (BON), along with Lanre Hassan (Iya Awero), Former Governor Emmanuel Udaghan, 2013
Lifetime Achievement Award, Africa Movie Academy Awards, 2013
Industry Merit Award, Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, 2014
Life Impact Awards, Times Heroes Awards, 2017