It is until he narrates his story of fate that one understands the secret of a successful acting career. While in active service as an ace broadcaster, less was heard of him until he retired in 1988. It was then his journey to movie – stardom and fame started.
Despite a paltry sum of N50 monthly salary for starring in the lead role of Okonkwo, an NTA adaptation of Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe’s all-time best-selling novel, he continued giving his best and wooing millions to glue their eyes on their television sets across the country.
His face, mannerism, and heroic deeds, sold the drama series in the 1980s to the extent that BBC flew into Nigeria to interview him for his role in Things Fall Apart. But in the contemporary times, he has starred in over 300 movies.
Though 67 years this March, Pete Edochie is still very active and a must-watch character in any movie he stars in. His skilful acting attributes earned him a place in the A-list celebrity status among others such as Genevieve Nnaji, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Nkem Owoh, Ramsey Noah, Stella Damasus Aboderin, Chinwe Okeke, and Richard Mofe Damijo, who were banned for one year from filming in 2005, by Actors’ Guild of Nigeria after they were said to have been collecting huge fees from producers due to their A-list celebrity status.
The ban did not last as fans that missed them in movies called for its lifting. Actors’ Guild of Nigeria listened to prevent viewers from going back to Hollywood and Bollywood. Besides, most movies critics argue in their favour, saying that whoever paid his/her dues should enjoy the substance and dignity of their labour.
Edochie is also one of the few Nollywood stars whose children are following in their footsteps. But how far can Linc and Yul Edochie, his two sons who took to his acting traits, go considering their father’s shoes that seem too big for them.
Yul was all smiles over the weekend when Pete, his father who was unavoidable absent, was once again awarded the highest award in the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards 2014. With the Industry Merit Award, the highest honour at the awards whose winners were decided by the votes of the viewers except a few behind the scene awards, Pete was once again happy for sustaining a movie career at a time people saw actors good-for-nothing folks.
That was also the case for Olu Jacobs, a veteran actor, who won the maiden edition of the award last year. He too veered into acting against his father’s will.
However, recognising that Africa’s film and TV industry are making a powerful contribution to the social, economic and cultural development and diversity of this continent, Biola Alabi, director for special projects, M-Net Africa, noted that Pete Edochie’s award was well deserved going by his impactful contributions to the Nigerian and African movie industry.
For her, Edochie is reckoned alongside men and women who work, who create, who believe their art is impactful, entertaining and relevant. “Whether it’s comedy or drama, documentary or short film, each story speaks to myriad lives committed to making that specific production possible. The nominees and winners of the 2014 AMVCAs are ambassadors of that community, and it is in their success that we can see a bright future for the continent’s film and TV landscape,” she noted.
But while leaving the Expo Hall, Eko Hotel and Suites, venue of the award that night, Yul prays for the ability to fit into the big shoes of his father, as the 67 years old man may be considering retirement from acting soon.
OBINNA EMELIKE
