Pete Edochie is a veteran actor, widely known for his disciplinarian attributes and one who cannot be messed with in movies. Edochie, known or his signature beard, which he started grooming at the age of 23, is arguably one of the most talented and outspoken actors the industry has ever produced. The actor, who in his roles often portrays the popular saying that “Children that say his father won’t sleep would surely not sleep either”, rose to fame in the 1980s after playing a lead role in a screen adaptation of “Things Fall Apart”.
Early Life of Edochie
The screen star of Igbo descent was born on March 7, 1947, in Enugu State, Nigeria. He had his primary and secondary education in Zaria, Kaduna state. Edochie attended the School of Journalism and Television in England and also did some courses overseas.
Before moving to England to study, Edochie worked with Nigerian Railway Corporation. Then after school, he got into broadcasting in 1967.
Career
He began a career in a broadcasting corporation at age 20 in 1967, where he started as a junior program assistant and rose to the position of director where he acted in different directorial capacity. However, he left the radio station and delved into acting. Meanwhile, he had first gone on stage in 1962 at age 15 when he was a student at St. John’s College. He featured in the drama; Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare. Up to date, the legend has featured in over 300 movies and his handworks have earned him not only respect but local and international awards. Back in 2003, Edochie was honored as Member of the Order of the Niger in 2003 by the then president of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo. Edochie, who is still very active in the industry is known for popular movies such as: “Igodo”, “Egg of Life”, Billionaire Club, and more recently, Genevieve Nnaji’s hit film, “Lionheart”.
Personal Life
Edochie who is a Catholic got married to his sweetheart, Josephine Edochie at age 22, and the union is blessed with six children: 5 boys and 1 girl. Two of his sons; Linc and Yul Edochie are popular faces in Nollywood.
Yul had one time said he was denied many roles because of his father.
On August 16, 2009, Edochie was kidnapped but later released unharmed by his captors on August 17, 2009.
Scandals
His career life, as expected is not free from scandals. In 2013, a 24-year-old Kenyan man, Ephy Saint alleged that he was the actor’s lovechild as told to him by his (Saint’s) mother.
But Edochie dismissed the rumour on the claim that he but has never been a wayward person.
Awards
He has received many awards like:
Movie Personality of the Year, City People Magazine, 1999
Lifetime Achievement Award, Africa Movie Academy Awards, 2013
Industry Merit Award, Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, 2014
Life Impact Awards, Times Heroes Awards, 2017
Popular Quotes Attributed To Edochie
“Beware of the naked man who offers you clothes.”
“A man who hangs around a beautiful girl without saying a word ends up fetching water for guests at her wedding.”
“People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.”
“Stupidity is what we all have in common as human beings, but some people insist that improving it is their entitlement.”
“Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber.”
“A farmer who grows by the street and a man who has a beautiful woman have the same problem.”
Movies
Lion heart
Mummy Why
Heavy Battle (2008)
Greatest Harvest (2007)
Secret Pain (2007)
Fair Game (2006)
Lacrima (2006)
Living with Death (2006) …. Mr. Harrison
End of Money (2005)
Living in Tears (2005)
No More War (2005)
The Price of Love: Life Is Beautiful (2005)
Sacred Tradition (2005)
The Tyrant (2005)
Across the Niger (2004)
Coronation (2004)
Dogs Meeting (2004) …. Anacho
Dons in Abuja (2004)
The Heart of Man (2004)
King of the Jungle (2004)
Above Death: In God We Trust (2003)
Arrows (2003)
Billionaire Club (2003)
Egg of Life (2003)
Love & Politics (2003)
Miserable Wealth (2003)
Onunaeyi: Seeds of Bondage (2003)
Selfish Desire (2003)
Tears in the Sun (2003)
Tunnel of Love (2003)
When God Says Yes (2003)
Battle Line (2002)
Oduduwa (2000)
Lost Kingdom (1999)
Narrow Escape (1999)
Living in Darkness (1999)
Things Fall Apart (1987), TV series
Lion of Africa
Igodo
Evil men
Monkey chop banana
Idemili
50 days with Christ
The Egg