The list of the top 100 Nollywood actors and actresses features movie veterans, popular stars, comedy favourites and rising talents. It includes actors from different generations known for their films, awards and long careers.
Here are the Nollywood stars making the list.
Top 100 Nollywood Male Actors (2026)
Nollywood has produced some of Nigeria’s most recognisable male actors, from veteran performers who became famous during the home-video era to younger stars appearing in cinema releases and streaming productions.
The list below features Nollywood male actors across different generations, including legendary performers, modern movie stars, comedy favourites and emerging talents. The names include actors known for popular films, television roles and long-running careers in Nigerian entertainment.
Nollywood Legends
- Pete Edochie
- Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD)
- Olu Jacobs
- Ramsey Nouah
- Kanayo O. Kanayo
- Nkem Owoh (Osuofia)
- Zack Orji
- Jide Kosoko
- Segun Arinze
- Sam Dede
- Kenneth Okonkwo
- Bob-Manuel Udokwu
- Clem Ohameze
- Alex Usifo
- Ejike Asiegbu
- Tony Umez
- Hanks Anuku
- Ernest Obi
- Saint Obi
- Adebayo Salami (Oga Bello)
Nollywood’s Modern Movie Stars
- Jim Iyke
- Desmond Elliot
- Mike Ezuruonye
- Chidi Mokeme
- Odunlade Adekola
- Femi Adebayo
- Yul Edochie
- Nonso Diobi
- Emeka Ike
- Yemi Blaq
- Joseph Benjamin
- OC Ukeje
- Gideon Okeke
- Gabriel Afolayan
- Deyemi Okanlawon
- Lateef Adedimeji
- Kunle Remi
- Daniel Etim Effiong
- Frederick Leonard
- Bolanle Ninalowo
- Alexx Ekubo
- Blossom Chukwujekwu
- Bryan Okwara
- Stan Nze
- Tobi Bakre
- Timini Egbuson
- Ibrahim Suleiman
- Mike Afolarin
- Efa Iwara
- Uzor Arukwe
Top Nollywood Comedy Favourites
- Osita Iheme (Pawpaw)
- Chinedu Ikedieze (Aki)
- John Okafor (Mr Ibu)
- Victor Osuagwu
- Charles Inojie
- Okey Bakassi
- Ime Bishop Umoh
- Hafiz Oyetoro (Saka)
- Francis Odega
- Basketmouth
- Bovi
- AY Makun
- Debo Adedayo (Mr Macaroni)
- Samuel Perry (Broda Shaggi)
- Nasboi
- Lasisi Elenu
- Mc Lively
- Klint da Drunk
- Gordons
- Julius Agwu
Nollywood Actors on the Rise
- Olumide Oworu
- Tomiwa Tegbe
- Daniel K. Daniel
- Emeka Nwagbaraocha
- Gregory Ojefua
- Tope Tedela
- Jide Awobona
- Uzee Usman
- Nosa Rex
- Paul Sambo
- Maurice Sam
- Shawn Faqua
- Clinton Joshua
- Chimezie Imo
- Jammal Ibrahim
- Darlington Michaels
- Aaron Sunday
- Chuks Joseph
- Nonso Bassey
- David Eyo
Nollywood Box Office Names
- Kunle Afolayan
- Ibrahim Chatta
- Ali Nuhu
- Saheed Balogun
- Muyiwa Ademola
- Yinka Quadri
- Wale Ojo
- Keppy Ekpenyong
- Norbert Young
- Yomi Fash-Lanso
Top 100 Nollywood Female Actors (2026)
The list below features Nollywood female actors across different eras, including industry legends, modern favourites, comedy performers and rising names.
Nollywood Female Legends
- Genevieve Nnaji
- Omotola Jalade Ekeinde
- Rita Dominic
- Patience Ozokwor (Mama G)
- Joke Silva
- Liz Benson
- Eucharia Anunobi
- Hilda Dokubo
- Clarion Chukwurah
- Ireti Doyle
- Kate Henshaw
- Ngozi Ezeonu
- Chioma Chukwuka Akpotha
- Bukky Wright
- Ayo Adesanya
- Bimbo Akintola
- Oge Okoye
- Stephanie Okereke Linus
- Uche Jombo
- Ebele Okaro
Nollywood’s Modern Movie Stars
- Funke Akindele
- Mercy Johnson Okojie
- Ini Edo
- Tonto Dikeh
- Toyin Abraham
- Yvonne Jegede
- Chika Ike
- Yvonne Nelson
- Ebube Nwagbo
- Monalisa Chinda
- Caroline Danjuma
- Daniella Okeke
- Omoni Oboli
- Ufuoma McDermott
- Belinda Effah
- Beverly Naya
- Adunni Ade
- Nancy Isime
- Osas Ighodaro
- Adesua Etomi-Wellington
- Sharon Ooja
- Bisola Aiyeola
- Kehinde Bankole
- Wunmi Toriola
- Mercy Aigbe
- Bimbo Ademoye
- Toni Tones
- Ruth Kadiri
- Destiny Etiko
- Chika Lann
Nollywood Comedy Favourites
- Eniola Badmus
- Helen Paul
- Chioma “Chigul” Omeruah
- Ronke Ojo (Ronke Oshodi Oke)
- Sola Sobowale
- Kemi Afolabi
- Queen Nwokoye
- Nkechi Blessing Sunday
- Wofai Fada
- Kie Kie
- Tomama
- Mercy MacJoe
- Efe Irele
- Seyi Edun
- Toyin Lawani
- Iyabo Ojo
- Foluke Daramola
- Ronke Odusanya
- Layi Wasabi
- Shan George
Best Nollywood Actresses on the Rise
- Genoveva Umeh
- Jemima Osunde
- Lillian Afegbai
- Uzoamaka Aniunoh
- Tomi Ojo
- Angel Anosike
- Ruby Akubueze
- Luchy Donalds
- Regina Daniels
- Sonia Ogiri
- Chinenye Nnebe
- Mercy Isoyip
- Omowunmi Dada
- Sharon Rotimi
- Darasimi Nadi
- Angel Unigwe
- Susan Pwajok
- Favour Etim
- Ini Dima-Okojie
- Uche Montana
Nollywood Box Office Names
- Regina Askia
- Linda Ejiofor
- Lilian Esoro
- Tana Adelana
- Uche Ogbodo
- Kemi Adetiba
- Adah Ameh
- Susan Peters
- Ruby Ojiakor
- Lillian Jean Williams
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the number one Nollywood actor?
Pete Edochie, Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD), Ramsey Nouah, Genevieve Nnaji and Funke Akindele are among the biggest names in Nigerian film.
Who are the top 10 Nollywood actors?
Popular Nollywood actors include Pete Edochie, RMD, Olu Jacobs, Ramsey Nouah, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Nkem Owoh, Genevieve Nnaji, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Funke Akindele and Mercy Johnson Okojie.
Who is the richest Nollywood actor?
Actors such as Jim Iyke, Funke Akindele, Genevieve Nnaji, RMD and Ramsey Nouah have earned money from films, endorsements and can be said to be some of the richest.
Who is the most awarded Nollywood actor?
Genevieve Nnaji, Funke Akindele, RMD, Ramsey Nouah and Rita Dominic have won the most major film awards.
Which Nollywood actor has acted in the most movies?
Pete Edochie, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Nkem Owoh and Jide Kosoko have appeared in Nigerian movies the most.
Who is the oldest Nollywood actor?
Olu Jacobs and Pete Edochie are among Nollywood’s oldest actors. Olu Jacobs was born in 1942, while Pete Edochie was born in 1947.
Who is the most handsome Nigerian actor?
Ramsey Nouah, Jim Iyke, Alexx Ekubo, Frederick Leonard and Timini Egbuson are often mentioned by fans.
Which Nollywood actors are on Netflix?
Ramsey Nouah, RMD, Chidi Mokeme, Funke Akindele, Kunle Remi, Tobi Bakre and Adesua Etomi-Wellington have appeared in Netflix films and series.
Who are the biggest Nollywood legends?
Pete Edochie, Olu Jacobs, RMD, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Nkem Owoh, Genevieve Nnaji, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Patience Ozokwo, Joke Silva and Rita Dominic are among Nollywood’s best-known veterans.
What is the difference between Nollywood and Kannywood?
Nollywood is Nigeria’s main film industry. Kannywood is the Hausa-language movie industry based in Kano. Nollywood films are made in English and other Nigerian languages, while Kannywood films are mainly in Hausa.
