For bringing a unique talent to the big screen thereby earning honours for Nigeria; for following the music of his heart and becoming a trail-blazing inspirational star for the nation’s youth to emulate, Nonso Diobi is The AUTHORITY Icon
He is a prolific actor, producer, director, businessman, entrepreneur, GLO Ambassador and philanthropist of note. Meet Nonso Diobi.
He was born on July 17 1976, in Enugu, to the five-member Diobi’s family, having two ladies and three males. The young talented actor grew up in Anambra State. The youngest child and very individualistic, Nonso Diobi began his own mini business at a young age, marketing garments to fellow students at his high school. His parents encouraged him to explore his God-given skills by doing stage plays at his native church once he was 15years old.
In the fall of 2001, he took his acting skills to a different level by getting into Nollywood. He featured in his 1st film “Border line,” that was shot by prime director “Adim William”. His 1st breakthrough film, “Hatred” came right after he did “Border line”.
In Nonso’s words: “Growing up was tough. It was filled with challenges because I didn’t come from a rich family. I struggled through everything. In my family we have to work to get what we wanted and because my mum is a strong woman she never gave up on us. Things were so hard back then that I had to be selling cheap clothes to my friends in school just to survive. That memory makes me laugh compared to my life now.”
Even as an undergraduate, Nonso had started acting. According to him, “I was even still a student of UniZik then before I started Acting; I used to skip classes just to make ends meet for fees and other things. But luckily for me I was studying theatre arts so it made it easier for me so when I started.”
Tracking back, he recalls that he was just on location watching people that were acting – likes of Pete Edochie, Olu Jacobs and co.; then one of their actors couldn’t make it, so the director looked around and called him. He was scared and nervous but within him he was happy. The director gave him the script and tested him, even though he failed woefully, he never gave up on him till he got it right. That’s how he got into his first movie ever and he also said he was paid just 15,000 naira for the movie.
Udoka replies: “Can any actor to come in and play focus as an actor of increasing influence. He has over twenty movies to his credits. He became the 1st Nigerian actor to be signed unto Jton Productions in Big Apple. He is also exploring alternative skills and plans to own a film studio. His greatest joy is to still entertain his fans.
He has received several awards, and one of them is the award for the best supporting actor 2008 and 2009, Movie Academy Awards. Movies such as “Caught in the act’, and “Palace Slave” are two of his most recent in Nollywood. Three of his favorite actor/actress include – Tonto Dike, Ini Edo, Uche Elendu, Mike Ezuruonye, Frank Artus, Ramsey Nouah and Yul Edochie.
Despite being linked with several women within and outside of Nollywood, Nonso has declared that he remains single but hopes to get married and start a family very soon.
