A lot of Nollywood female actors have basked in the limelight for a significant portion of their lives. However, an extensive catalog is emerging, highlighting those who have vanished from the public eye.
Some abandoned acting to pursue a different profession, while others did so for matrimonial or familial reasons. Several actresses have transitioned from being megastars to not even garnering a mention in the press.
Occasionally, we catch a glimpse of them on the red carpet or at entertainment industry occasions. Nonetheless, this pales in comparison to their illustrious past careers. Below are some of the Nollywood female actors who have gone missing from the public eye:
Victoria Inyama, with her gorgeous countenance, remains etched in the memory of Nollywood movie enthusiasts. She is undeniably one of the forebearers of the Nigerian film industry, now commonly referred to as Nollywood.
In 1990, she commenced her acting career, and in an interview, she disclosed that Alex Usifo, an actor, was instrumental in introducing her to the Nigerian film business.
After her nuptials with Godwin Okri, Inyama relocated to the United Kingdom, which affected her acting profession. She opted to leave the entertainment sector and prioritize her family.
Inyama has graced the screens in a myriad of movies, including Danger Zone, Silent Night, Odum, Eze Nwanyi, Love from Above, Glamour Boys, Barracuda, Iyanga, and many more.
Regina Askia-Williams made her acting debut in 1993, portraying the character of Tokunbo Johnson, a gold-digger, in the Nigerian soap opera Fortunes on the NTA Network.
Her brilliant performance as Tokunbo Johnson won her widespread critical acclaim and paved the way for her to land roles in Nollywood movies. Over the years, she has been the recipient of numerous awards for her outstanding acting skills.
These include the coveted “Best Actress in Nigeria” award presented by Afro Hollywood London in 2000. In addition to acting, she has also produced various television shows and films.
During the 1990s and early 2000s, she starred in numerous “Nollywood” movies, quickly becoming one of Nigeria’s most prominent acting figures. These days, she resides in the United States with her family and is a family nurse practitioner in New York City.
In 1995, Sandra Achums marked her debut in the Nigerian film industry with her role in the movie “Deadly Affair.” She starred alongside other Nollywood veterans such as Dolly Unachukwu, Jide Kosoko, and Emeka Ike.
The movie went on to become a classic, and it proved to be the starting point of her successful career. Furthermore, she also featured in the remake of the popular film “Glamour Girls.”
In 2006, Achums made a move to Germany from Nigeria and has been residing there ever since with her husband and children.
Benita Nzeribe, a renowned actress with a vast repertoire of roles, used to dominate the screen as a top player in Nollywood. However, she has surprisingly withdrawn from the limelight lately.
Throughout her career, Benita Nzeribe appeared in over 150 Nollywood films, such as Cross and Tinapa, King of the Town, and Conscience.
Other notable works include Agony of a Mother, The Peacemaker, Fire on the Mountain, Games Men Play, Street Life, The Scorpion, Beware of Dogs, Peace Talk, Asunder, and The Soul of Wickedness. Currently, she has taken a hiatus from Nollywood to focus on personal matters.