Who Is Emeka Ike? Complete Biography of the Nigerian Actor

Emeka Ike (born 22nd March 1967) is a 56 year-old Nigerian actor, director, producer, investor, and entrepreneur. He is known for appearing in films like A Million Tears 1 & 2, and I Swear.

Ike was one of the biggest stars of the golden age of Nollywood (the 1990s and early 2000s), a time during which he played the leading role in several films. The actor mostly lent his skills and ability to roles that had him making a girl’s heart flutter. The success he has enjoyed in his lifetime is almost reminiscent of the growth the film industry in Nigeria has experienced.

Profile Summary of Emeka Ike

  • Full Name: Emeka Ike
  • Gender: Male
  • Date of Birth: 22nd March 1967
  • Place of Birth: Imo State, Nigeria
  • Emeka Ike’s Age: 56 years old
  • Ethnicity: Igbo
  • Nationality: Nigerian
  • Education: University Of Lagos
  • Religion: Christian
  • Sexual Orientation: Straight
  • Marital Status: Divorced
  • Emeka Ike’s Ex-wife: Suzanne Emma (m. ?–2017)
  • Children: Four (including Andrea)
  • Parents: Nicolas Ike, Elder Ike
  • Siblings: Victor Ike
  • Profession: Actor, Producer, Director
  • Years Active: 1995 – Till Present

Emeka Ike Was Born In 1967

Emeka Ike was born on the 22nd of March 1967 in Imo state. There is not a lot of information available on his parent’s identity or what kind of lives they led. It is, however, known that their names are Mr. and Mrs. Nicolas Ike and his father was a pastor for most of his life until his death. The actor has talked about the hard work that his mother endured to put him through school. She made it known that she fried Akara to pay his school fees. This shroud of mystery over his parents does not extend to his siblings, as he has a brother, Victor Ike, who is a musician based in France. While he is not an actor like his brother, Victor has built a successful career for himself as an R&B musician.

At some point in Emeka Ike’s life, he moved to Lagos State, where he spent most of his childhood. He received his secondary school education there. When it was time for him to acquire higher education, he went to the University of Lagos where he studied Mechanical Engineering.

He Got His Big Break In The Movie Deadly Affair and Has Featured In Over 60 Films

The film industry in Nigeria was still relatively young when Emeka Ike launched his career. It is believed that his career began while he was still at the University of Lagos. He had met Ernest Obi-another veteran actor, who introduced the actor to Charles Owoyemi, a producer. Owoyemi was working on a television show called Fortunes and was impressed enough with Emeka Ike to include him in the production of some episodes of the show. In the time that Emeka was on the show, he started to hone his acting skills and shortly after landed his first major role in the 1995 film, Deadly Affair.

Emeka Ike’s role in Deadly Affair set his career in motion and established him as an actor that can play the role of a love interest. These were the roles he typically played in most of the films that featured him; he was either someone’s boyfriend, husband, a long-lost lover, or was getting cheated on. In all of the years he worked as an actor, Emeka proved his skill and prowess repeatedly.

He acted in over 60 films and remained a heartthrob to the millions of women who were comforted by his presence on their screens. Other films that the actor acted in includes After my Heart, A can of Worms, 100 Days in the Jungle, Not Man Enough, Working for Love, Housemates and the Man, Strength of a Woman, and Test my Heart.

The Actor Took A Break From Acting For A Number Of Personal Reasons

Regardless of the success that he had experienced in the film industry, Emeka Ike decided to retire from acting and it appeared then that it was going to be forever. During an interview, he revealed that the reason for this was a loss of authenticity in the industry. In how many actors appear to have lost their salt and this is especially in the ways they speak. Emeka Ike was averse to the ways that people put on foreign accents in films when they speak, comparing Nigerian actors to Indian actors who maintain their native accents when acting. For him, all of it was rubbish that did not matter and only affected the quality of films that were being produced.

This was only one of the things that turned him away from the industry. He also complained about the running of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), stating that it seemed only a certain group of veteran actors like himself were running things and making sure they remained that way. To him, it seemed that they were making money from their position and made sure no one else got into it. Making it hard for other actors to complain about the union or things they would like to change.

Emeka Ike last appeared in a movie in 2010 and it really appeared that he had retired from acting. In 2017, he announced that he was back to acting. According to him, the producers of the movie begged and cajoled him for 3 years that he decided to oblige them. He has since then been featured in a number of movies.

Emeka Ike Served As President Of The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN)

After his supposed retirement from acting, Emeka Ike decided to dabble in a number of things. He went on to contest to join the Federal House of Representatives in Okigwe South Federal Constituency. From all indications, he was not successful in his attempt to become a member of the House. But this did not quell his ambitions to serve in a leadership role. Emeka Ike directed his energy towards becoming the president of AGN. This can be described as his biggest achievement in his career and it did not come until 2016.

Emeka Ike served as AGN president for about a year before he was sacked. He has since returned to concentrating on shooting movies, as well as paying attention to his family and church. His Instagram is rife with pictures of him spending time with his wife and his four kids – they often leave the country on holiday.

 

Feyisayo Oluokun
Feyisayo Oluokun
Feyisayo is a passionate writer, voracious reader and a lover of romance. She is interested in doing intensive research, traveling and exploring new things.

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