Alex Usifo: Biography, Age, Career, Family And Movies
Alex UsifoAlex Usifo (born 16 April 1953) is a Nigerian actor.
Early life
Usifo was born in Lagos, Nigeria to Barnabas and Patricia Anobi Omiagbo. His father worked with the Central Bank of Nigeria and rose to a managerial level. The family moved to Ibadan where Alex had his basic/primary education. Soon after, the civil war moved him to Edo state where he completed his secondary education at St. John Bosco’s Grammar School, Ubiaja.
He earned a degree in English at Ambrose-Ali University with a 2nd-Class upper. He earned his master’s degree at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology. At Babcock University, Illishan Remo he earned a PhD in Information Resources Management. During that period at Babcock, he was elected the president of the outgoing Post-Graduate students in 2016 – the year he graduated. Though Alex wanted to become a catholic priest, he changed his mind and left the seminary. He met his wife, Princess ten years after 1990, and they got married in 1993. They are blessed with four great children – Sarah, Isaac, David and Osedebame.
He worked at NTA Benin. He was part of the crew that covered FESTAC ’77 for Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria. After five years at NTA Benin, he gained admission to SS Peter and Paul Major Seminary, Bodija – Ibadan in 1978 to train for the Catholic priesthood. In 1981 he left the seminary for the University of Lagos to study mass communication.
Career
Usifo auditioned at different media houses including Radio Nigeria Lagos, Voice of Nigeria, NTA illorin etc. He made it to the top list, but was dropped because of ‘Quota System’.[disambiguation needed] He was unemployed for years. On the invitation of his friend/brother Peter Okun, Alex attended a Deeper Life Crusade, where he desperately asked God for a change in his condition and he got an answer: ‘look inwards’.
His acting career kicked off in 1984 when he played a major role in the telemovie The Return of the Native. He took lead roles in Natas and ‘Two People. He started attending NTA, Victoria Island to take part in the weekly series At Your Service. He was part of NTA productions: Echoes of Life, and Turning Wheel, between 1984 and 1987.
Recognition came in 1988 when he starred in Zeb Ejiro’s soap opera, Ripples. Usifo portrayed Talaab Abass. The show broke ground in television because few soap operas existed. Talaab Abass was a villain. Alex interpreted the character with bulging eyes and a baritone voice.
Usifo made a name for himself long before Nollywood came into existence. He participated in stage plays including Awero. This was staged at the National Theatre, Iganmu. He appeared in Ola Rotimi’s Our Husband Has Gone Mad Again! also staged at the National Theatre. He featured in radio and films.
In the late 80s/early 90s, Usifo started a modelling agency in partnership with Andy Amenechi [DGN]. He later opened his own Silver and Gold Productions agency, featuring models such as Sandra Petgrave and Toyin Raji.
Usifo is a member of Actors’ Guild of Nigeria, Directors’ Guild of Nigeria and recently, Association of Movie Producers.
Recognition
Usifo won awards locally and internationally, including:
- Best Actor – African Collaboration; RLG Ghana Movie Awards 2012
- Best Actor – Ripples; Legends of Nollywood Awards
- AETV London and EHIGLAD Entertainment Presentation
- Lifetime Achievement Award; Nollywood Christian Fellowship 2012
- Excellent Achievement in the Movie Industry; Niger Delta Awards [2009]
- Outstanding Achievement in Nollywood; Bells University Awards
- Award for Excellence in Artistic Creativity; Achievers’ Intl. University and Educational Network
- Peace and Development Award 2013; YELL/Advocacy Magazine & Partnership for Women and Justice
- Distinguished Award for Excellence; Rotract Club of Sagamu
- Inspirational Award; United Nation Council of Churches & Ministerial Fellowship
- Award for Excellence and Exemplary Living; Omega Fire Ministries
- The Snapshots Award; Covenant Christian Centre
- Award of Recognition; Calvary Bible Church
- Bridge Builder Awards; Winners’ Youth Ministry, Badagry
- Award for Leadership Excellence in Nollywood Movies – El Shaddai Ministries Intl.
- Nollywood Icons Award – Nigerian Film Corporation.
Filmography
- End of the Wicked (1999)
- Okoro The Prince
- Strong Men at Work
- Trumpet of Death
- Who am I?
- Final Point
- The Guilty
- Azima
- Silent Night
- Desperadoes
- My Love
- Classical Fraud (with Ufuoma Ejenobor)
- Dangerous Sisters (with Genevieve Nnaji and Dakore Akande)