Nollywood Akin Lewis is a veteran actor who has been in this entertainment industry for over 40 years. He has starred in a number of blockbbuster movies including Your Excellency, Love Is War, Up North, Devil in Agbada, Seven and a Half Dates, and more.
If there is one thing that any Akin Lewis fan, or any lover of Nollywood really can tell you about Akin Lewis, it is that Akin Lewis usually always plays the rich man role in all his movies. He is either cast as a politician, a top businessman, or some other form of big-money man. Apparently, there is a reason for this. During a conversation with The Guardian, Akin Lewis was asked why he always plays these rich man roles, if he feels stereotyped, and his secret to lasting 46 years in the entertainment industry. Here’s what Akin Lewis said.
To be honest, I can only say I am grateful for life and family. While on this acting job, I have gotten married, I have children, I live in my house, I have my car and all of that. I’m saying this with all due respect and not because I am trying to bring people down. Actors from my set got trained just for the job alone and unfortunately most directors just use you and dump you. I realised this early enough and that enabled me to see the future ahead. That made me to go into the corporate world. I diversified early in my career and I have very good results to show for this.
This job is not as spectacular as other jobs. If you get paid N2 million today as an actor, unfortunately, some people will squander the money the next day. Every actor, including veterans, must learn to save and set some money aside for the future. Yes, you can buy those cars you fancy but don’t forget to take care of your children and your family. I have tried to do all of these responsible things and I am still on this job. Not all actors are irresponsible.
Speaking about always playing the “rich man” role and if he feels stereotyped, Akin Lewis said:
Well, I might have accepted such a role a long time ago but now I look rich and I am rich. So I guess that is the reason I cannot be given any other role to play. Professionally, I can act any role, but also in the professional point of view, it is hard for me to be seen or to cast me as a poor man. Usually I get millionaire and billionaire roles.
No, it is not stereotype for me to have money or not to have money. You can have money and be a bad person. There are several other ways by which I can become rich, but in a different character.
The rich man role always fits him anyway so I am always happy to see him in those roles.
However what do you think? Do you like Akin Lewis only playing these rich man roles or would you like to see him diversify in roles? Let me know what you think by leaving a comment either below or on my Jide Okonjo Facebook post.
