Funke Akindele
Funke Akindele Bello | |
---|---|
![]() Funke Akindele at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards | |
Born | Akindele Olufunke Ayotunde August 24, 1977 [1] |
Alma mater | |
Occupation(s) | Actress, Film Producer |
Years active | 1998-present |
Akindele Olufunke Ayotunde[2][3] (popularly known as Funke Akindele)[4] is a Nigerian actress and producer.[5] Funke starred in the sitcom I Need to Know from 1998 to 2002, and in 2009 she won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role.[6] She plays the lead character in the show Jenifa's Diary,[7] for which she was named Best Actress in a Comedy at the 2016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards.[8]
Early life and education
Akindele was born on August 24, 1977, in Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria.[10] Funke is the second of three children (two girls and one boy). Akindele's mother is a Medical Doctor while her father is a retired School Principal.[4][11] Funke obtained an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in Mass Communication from the former Ogun State Polytechnic, now Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, [12].[citation needed] [13]
Career
Akindele came into the limelight after starring in popular United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)-sponsored sitcom I Need to Know, which ran from 1998 to 2002. Funke played Bisi, a curious but highly intelligent secondary school student. Funke Akindele's big break came in 2008 when she appeared in the movie Jenifa.[citation needed] [14]
In January 2018, there was a controversy when it was reported that Akindele would get her Hollywood debut in Marvel's Avengers: Infinity War as she was listed as a member of the cast on IMDb.[15] Mainstream Nigerian press reported that she was set to star in Infinity War as the guard Dora Milaje, citing IMDb.[16] Some weeks later her name was replaced with that of fellow Nigerian actress Genevieve Nnaji,[17] with Akindele's upload shown to have been a hack.[18] In February 2018, it was reported that Senate President and Chairman of the National Assembly, Dr Bukola Saraki has advised Marvel Studios to feature Akindele in Infinity War.[19]
In July 2016, in an interview she stated she was acting less in the Yoruba film industry at that time because of piracy.[8] Akindele plays the lead character in the ongoing hit TV show Jenifa's Diary, alongside Fisayo Ajisola, Falz, Juliana Olayode, and Aderounmu Adejumoke. The show is a spin-off from the movie Jenifa.[7] The 2018 comedy film Moms at War stars Akindele and Michelle Dede. In July 2019, Akindele started a new web series, ‘Aiyetoro Town[20],’ a spinoff from her popular TV series, ‘Jenifa’s Diary,[21] She is the CEO of Scene One Film Production.[22]
She made her directorial debut in 2019 political drama film Your Excellency.[23]
Charity initiative
Funke Akindele runs a non-governmental organisation known as the Jenifa Foundation, which aims at providing young people with vocational skills.[24][25]
Endorsements
Funke Akindele has endorsement deals such as her being signed as an Ambassador to Irokotv.[26] Also in 2018, she was signed as brand ambassador for Keystone Bank.[27]
Personal life
On May 26, 2012, Akindele married Adeola Kehinde Oloyede.[28] Citing irreconcilable differences, the couple divorced in July 2013.[29] Akindele married Nigerian rapper Abdul Rasheed Bello, known as JJC Skillz, in London in May 2016.[30] Google said that for the week of August 2017, "Funke Akindele pregnancy" dominated search phrases in Nigeria.[31] Through JJC, she has several step-children.[32] With JJC Skillz, she gave birth to twin boys in December 2018.[33] [34]
Awards and nominations
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Year | Event | Prize | Work | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
2009 | Africa Movie Academy Award | Best Actress Leading Role | Won | |
2009 Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Actress | Jenifa | Won | |
2010 | 2010 Best of Nollywood Awards | Best Actress in a Leading Role (Yoruba) | Oguni Aiku | Nominated |
2012 | 2012 Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Actress | Troj | Won |
2012 Nollywood Movies Awards | Best Actress (Indigenous) | Emi Abata | Won | |
2012 Best of Nollywood Awards | Best Actress (English) | Married but Living Single | Nominated | |
Zulu African Film Academy Awards | Best Actress | Maami and The Return of Jenifa | Won | |
2013 | 2013 Nollywood Movies Awards | Best Actress (Leading Role) | Maami | Nominated |
Best Actress (Indigenous) | Won | |||
2014 | 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Actress (Leading Role) | Agnetta O’Mpa | Won |
2014 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards | Best Actress (Comedy) | The Return of Sheri Koko | Won | |
ELOY Awards | Brand Ambassador of the Year | Omo | Won[35] | |
2016 | 2016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards | Best Actress In Comedy Role | Jenifa's Diary | Won |
Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Actress Series | Nominated | ||
Naija FM Awards | Sitcom Of The Year | Won | ||
Best Actress in Comedy | Won | |||
Africa Entertainment Legend Awards | Best Actress of the Year | Won[36] | ||
2016 Ghana Movies Awards | Best Actress Africa Collaboration | A Trip to Jamaica | Won[37] | |
2017 | Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards | Best TV Series | Jenifa's Diary | Won[38] |
Best Actress in a Comedy Movie or TV Series | Won[39] | |||
A Trip to Jamaica | Nominated | |||
2017 Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Lead Actress | Won |
References
- ^ "Just like Funke Akindele, everyone got Eniola Badmus' age wrong". The Net. The Net. Retrieved September 8, 2017.
- ^ Njoku, Benjamin (2 January 2010). "I didn't snatch anybody's husband – Funke Akindele". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 1 March 2011.
- ^ "Full name & Date of Birth". Retrieved 2009-10-08.
- ^ a b "ABOUT FUNKE AKINDELE - Funke Akindele - Official Website of Olufunke Akindele". olufunkeakindele.com. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
- ^ Funsho Akinwale, Funke Akindele gives first glimpse of her twins, The Guardian
- ^ "AMAA Nominees and Winners 2009". African Movie Academy Award. Archived from the original on 5 April 2011. Retrieved 1 March 2011.
- ^ a b ""Jenifa's Diary" Watch Funke Akindele in season 4 trailer". Pulse.ng. Chidumga Izuzu. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
- ^ a b July 18, 2016 Funke Akindele: I’m not producing Yoruba movies for now, The Cable
- ^ Smith, Troy L.; Clevel; .com (2017-02-28). "Ranking the top 100 Cleveland celebrities of all time". cleveland. Retrieved 2020-01-31.
- ^ Olivia Kabir, January 2019 Funke Akindele's state of origin Read more: https://www.legit.ng/1215364-funke-akindeles-state-origin.html, Legit.ng
- ^ Bodunrin, Sola. "10 Things You Need To Know About Funke Akindele ▷ NAIJ.COM". naij.com. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
- ^ "Unilag Home". University of Lagos. Retrieved 2020-01-22.
- ^ https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/entertainment/Nollywood-s-Funke-Akindele-turns-40-years-today-464762
- ^ https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/entertainment/Nollywood-s-Funke-Akindele-turns-40-years-today-464762
- ^ "Funke Akindele named as starring in Hollywood movie, "Avengers: Infinity War"". Premium Times Nigeria. 2018-01-11. Retrieved 2018-12-17.
- ^ January 11, 2018 Funke Akindele to star in Hollywood movie “Avengers: Infinity War”, Sun News
- ^ "What's the Story on Funke Akindele Bello, Genevieve Nnaji & "Avengers: Infinity War"?". BellaNaija. 2018-01-15. Retrieved 2018-12-17.
- ^ Nsikak Nseyen, January 16, 2018 How hackers uploaded Funke Akindele’s photo as Avenger’s cast – Freeze, Daily Post
- ^ Nasikak Nseye, February 5, 2018‘Avengers Infinity War’: Saraki makes case for actress, Funke Akindele, Daily Post
- ^ "Aiyetoro town: Funke Akindele has kicked off 'Jenifa's Diary' spinoff, and it's hilarious". Pulse Nigeria. 2019-07-10. Retrieved 2020-02-15.
- ^ July 24, 2018 Here's when Omoni Oboli's new film will be released in cinemas, Pulse Nigeria
- ^ Mosope Olumide, September 14, 2018 Poverty And Failure: Funke Akindele Reveals Her Greatest Fears In Life, The Net
- ^ "'Your Excellency': Funke Akindele's directorial debut makes N17.5 million in 2 days". www.pulse.ng. 2019-12-17. Retrieved 2020-01-08.
- ^ "Nollywood/ Nigeria No.1 movies/ films resources online". nigeriafilms.com. Archived from the original on 1 April 2016. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
- ^ ""Why I am focusing on educating the next generation" – Funke Akindele-Bello tells CNN's 'African Voices'". BellaNaija. Retrieved 2018-04-16.
- ^ "Actress Funke Akindele, Signed As Ambassador To Iroko TV - INFORMATION NIGERIA". informationng.com. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
- ^ August 27, 2018 Keystone Bank signs Actress, Funke Akindele as brand ambassador, Vanguard Nigeria
- ^ "BN Exclusive: It's Official, "Jenifa" Star Funke Akindele is a Married Woman! Photos & Details of the Beautiful Union with Her Beau Kehinde Oloyede Only On BN". bellanaija.com. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
- ^ "Funke Akindele: "Yes, My Marriage has Crashed" - Nollywood Star confirms Split – Read the Official Statement + Her Recent Interview". bellanaija.com. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
- ^ Marriage., SunNewsOnline, Retrieved 21 September 2016
- ^ August 25, 2017 Funke Akindele’s pregnancy, JAMB dominate Google searches, Vanguard
- ^ John Owen Nwachukwu, August 2, 2017 JJC reveals who convinced him to marry Funke Akindele, Daily Post (Nigeria)Daily Post
- ^ Fikayo Olowolagba, December 22, 2018. Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele defies prophecy, welcomes twins, Daily Post (Nigeria)Daily Post
- ^ Seun Durojaiye, January 2019 Actress Funke Akindele stuns in native owambe outfit, Legit.ng
- ^ "Omoni Oboli, Funke Akindele, Omawumi: All the winners from the 2014 ELOY awards - Lifestyle - Pulse" (in German). Pulse.ng. 2014-12-01. Retrieved 2016-12-17.
- ^ "Winners List - Ael Awards (Aela)". Aelaawards.com. Retrieved 2016-12-17.
- ^ "Ghana Movie Awards 2016: Funke Akindele wins best actress African collaboration - Movies - Pulse" (in German). Pulse.ng. Retrieved 2016-12-17.
- ^ Adeleke Afolayan (4 March 2017). "AMVCA 2017: See the full list of winners". The NET.
- ^ Chidumga Izuzu (4 March 2017). "Funke Akindele wins Best Actress in a Comedy". Pulse.Ng.
External links
- Best Actress Africa Movie Academy Award winners
- 1977 births
- Actresses from Lagos State
- Yoruba actresses
- Living people
- University of Lagos alumni
- 21st-century Nigerian actresses
- Nigerian film actresses
- Nigerian television actresses
- Participants in Nigerian reality television series
- Actresses in Yoruba cinema
- Moshood Abiola Polytechnic alumni