Nollywood Actor, Dejumo Lewis Dies at 80
Entertainment
Dejumo Lewis, who starred in the first Nigerian movie "Village Headmaster", is dead! The Ghanaian artist died after suffering from cancer on December 26th, 2018, during a movie festival celebration.
I regret to inform you that the actor, Dejumo Lewis, of the Nollywood movie, Village Headmaster, died at the age of 80. He was a pioneer of Nigerian cinema and left behind many fond memories for his fans. He was born on August 14, 1935, and was known as Dede Oyinloye.
Former Nollywood actor, Dejumo Lewis, has passed away at the age of 80, the Ghanaian Entertainment Post reports. Lewis hosted a movie festival in Lagos in 1965 where he met Binta Nwachukwu, with whom he then fell in love. After marrying Binta, he started producing and directing movies.
The Ghanaian actor died on December 26, 2018, at the Accra Hospital, after suffering from cancer. He had been ill for sometime and underwent multiple surgeries. The event took place during the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the release of the movie, “Village Headmaster”.
Dejumo Lewis was a legendary star who broke through on Broadway in the United States in the 1960s. On his return to Nigeria, he started his career in filmmaking, making movies like “Yori Chukwu” and “Ariyo”, which was a popular hit, particularly among teenagers.
He hosted a movie festival in Lagos in 1965, during which time, he met the Nigerian actress, Binta Nwachukwu, with whom he then fell in love. They got married in 1970 and had six children. After marrying Binta, he started producing and directing movies. In the same year, they formed two companies: Nollywood and Cineville Pictures.
Dejumo’s first movie production company produced a movie called “Village Headmaster”, but his big break came when he directed and produced an American movie, “Road 66”, which also starred fellow Nollywood actress and presenter, Lizzy Ngozi. She won a Best Actress award at the Blackfilm Festival, Lagos, in 1975, which helped him gain more exposure. He continued producing successful movies after this, but eventually died due to cancer.
The Ghanaian actor had many famous colleagues such as Nnedi Okorafor, Sammy Ameobi, Pius Amutan, Ozzie Akoto, Charles Agyemang, Tony Richards, Oludamola Lawal and others. He was known for his distinctive voice and always stood out among his peers. Despite many challenges in the industry, he remained a relevant figure until the day he died.
Dejumo Lewis was a pioneer of African cinema who left behind a lasting legacy in the entertainment industry. He is remembered for his contribution to the growth of Nollywood cinema, which became a significant force in African filmmaking. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations of African actors and filmmakers.
In conclusion, Dejumo Lewis is a legendary Ghanaian actor who had a long career in the entertainment industry. He passed away on December 26, 2018, due to cancer, leaving behind his wife, family, fans, and fans around the world. He is remembered for his success in breaking new grounds in filmmaking and creating memorable characters that inspired people across the globe.
