We struggled to come up with this list. It was a huge risk, a task, an excruciating assignment. For the fact that it was compiled, not based as an academic study, but as a personal viewpoint of the people that matter most in the African cinema culture. However you may want to summarise it, these exceptional 50 film stars from different African countries have completely shaped the future of cinema in the continent and they have transformed themselves into demi-gods by the roles and characters they have played on screens. Some of them too, have engaged themselves in liberating the African story to the Other. They have been there. They have done it. There are 25 women and 25 men all using their faces to tell the African story…
Genevieve Nnaji
Africa’s finest female film star, Genevieve Nnaji started her acting career as a child actress in the then-popular television soap opera "Ripples" at the age of 8. She lives a glamorous life as Nollywood’s biggest and most sought after female star, having played key roles in various films that cut across Africa, and featuring in several TV commercials. Genevieve’ has been able to capture the world, with her quality acting and charming personality. In recent times she has appeared on Oprah, and CNN, and has been compared to award winning Hollywood actress Julia Roberts. In 2005, Ms Nnaji won the Best Actress in a Leading Role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA).
Patience Ozokwor
Regarded as the most popular face on the African cinema, Patience Ozokwor remains the most influential screen goddess in Nollywood. Her acting career built slowly till she captured the imagination of the entire continent and controls the largest fanbase ever. She has starred in over 200 movies and remains one of the most sought after actresses as she delivers her lines flawlessly. However you may want to summarise it, Mrs Ozokwor is an actress with a skill that can only be found in the heavens.
Onyeka Onwenu
She doesn’t appear injust any kind of movie, which is why she hasn’t done more than 15 films. Popular as a singer and politician, OnyekaOnwenu is a screen goddess of international reputation, having won the Best Actress in a Supporting Role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) in 2006. Her role in Conspiracy, a movie shot in 1999, starring popular actor, NkemOwoh transported her to limelight.
Jackie Appiah
Ghana’s finest female screen goddess. She has received several awards including the Best Actress in a Leading Role at the 2010 African Movie Academy Awards and Best Actress in a Supporting Role at the African Movie Academy Awards in 2007.She received two nominations for Best Actress in a leading role and Best Upcoming Actress at the African Movie Academy Awards in 2008. She is to Ghana what Genevieve Nnaji is to Nigeria.
OmotolaJalade-Ekeinde
This sexy, confident lady is an actress and singer. One of the most successful film stars from Nigeria, Omotola is known to be a very versatile actress who can take on any role and make it work. She has played a prostitute, a prisoner, the lonely housewife, the bitchy manipulator and the girl next door.
Joke Silva
Award-winning Nigerian actress, Joke Silva, married to popular actor, Olu Jacobs, studied drama at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London.
Ebele Okaro
Within a short time, EbeleOkaro has captured the imagination of Nollywood film lovers. She has transformed herself into a screen goddess of some sort, paying attention to details on each character she portrays onscreen. She recently featured in Nollywood film Daisy, directed by Nigeria’s most distinctive filmmaker, Bond Emeruwa.
Lydia Forson
Born in Mankessim, Ghana, Lydia Forson is a Ghanaian actress, popularly known for her break into the Nigerian Film Industry, despite her nationality. She is an award-winning actress, with a fever-pitch imagination.
Rita Dominic
If you don’t know or have never heard about Rita Dominic, you must be in a different historic period. This Pretty and amazing screen goddess, is one of Nollywoods most celebrated actress and has starred in over 100 Nollywood films. She won the City People Awards in 2004 as the Most Outstanding Actress .
Kate Henshaw-Nuttal
Born in the 1970s in Cross River State, Nigeria, Kate Henshaw-Nuttal won the African Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in 2008 for her role in Stronger than Pain, starring NkemOwoh. She is a stage actress of international acclaim and is currently the “Face of Onga.”
Manie Malone
It is very possible that you haven’t seen this face on screen before. However, when you see Congolese movie, Viva Riva!, do look out for the character of Nora, where she gives an amazing performance that has gloriously transformed her into Africa’s most daring face.
Omoni Oboli
She Is an unpredictable actress, who is known to leave directors in awe of her strong oratory delivery. In The Figurine, directed by Kunle Afolayan, her performance is commendable as a leading role. She won the Best Actress for her role in Anchor Baby at the Harlem International Film Festival in New York City.
11. Yosra El Loz
Born in 1985, Yosra El Loz is an Egyptian actress from Cairo. In 2008, she won the Best Actress at the Alexandria International Film Festival, for her role in Stolen Kisses, Best Actress at the International Film Festival Rotterdam in 2009 for True Colours.
Stephanie Okereke
One of the most charming Nollywood faces, Stephanie Okereke was born in 1982. An award-winning actress and graduate of the New York Film Academy, she won the Best Actress at the Reel Award in 2003, the 2006 Afro Hollywood Award for Best Actress and had three nominations for Best Actress in a Leading Role at the African Movie Academy Awards in 2005, 2009 and 2010.
Leleti Khumalo
Leleti Khumalo was born in 1970. She is a Zulu South African actress and has risen internationally, after playing the leading role in Sarafina! She has starred in the films, Hotel Rwanda and Yesterday.
Maryam Hassouni
Born on September 21, 1985, Maryam Hassouni is a Moroccan actress. In 2006, she won an International Emmy Award for role in Offers.
Charlize Theron
CharlizeTheron is a South African actress who rose to fame following her roles in 2 Days in the Valley, Mighty Joe Young, The Devil’s Advocate and The Cider House Rules. She became the first South African to win an Academy Award when she won for her role in Monster. For North Country, she received another Academy Award nomination.
Tonto Dike
Tonto Dike has carved a niche for herself in Nollywood. She has risen magically as one of Nigeria’s most likeable actresses and has continued to appear on film posters. Her amazing delivery keeps her in the limelight.
Sophie Okonedo
She may not have starred in a Nollywood film, as half-Nigerian, but she played the character of Tatiana Rusesabagina, wife of Rwandan hotel manager, Paul Rusesabagina in the genocide drama film, Hotel Rwanda. That particular role earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. She has risen dramatically as one of Britain’s finest actresses.
Mercy Johnson
She has dazzled Nollywood and is quickly climbing the ladder, grabbing the attention of the global film community. Her life is full of drama, as she walked from the lanes of obscurity to fame, stamping her face as one of Nigeria’s best actresses. For once, we find an actress who unashamedly delivers her roles flawlessly, damning hypocrisy and criticism from critics who feel she has abandoned morality. This is exactly the same thing with Tonto Dike. We hate to love them and love to hate them.
Clarion Chukwura
One of Nigeria’s greatest film stars, Clarion Chukwura knows her way around Nollywood. She could steeply mould herself into any character. She has influenced a lot of young Nollywood film actresses.
Illham Shahin
Egypt’s Ilham Shahin started her acting career in 1981 in the movie Mothers in Exileand followed up with Shame in 1982. These two movies were the first amongst numerous movies that made her a house hold name in Egypt.Arguably one of the most influential and talented actress to come out of North Africa, Illham was born on the 3rd of January in 1960. She bagged a Bachelors degree in Dramatic art in the year 1982. Illaham became a prominent name in the eighties, during which she made over 33 films including Al Akhtabout, Boustan Dam, Souk Al Moutaa and many more. She is also responsible for making a number of television series, including: Al Hawi, Layali Al Helmia and Banat Afkari.Illham is a recipient of many awards in Egypt and around the world.
Caroline Chikezie
Elegant Caroline Chikezie is a Nigerian-British actress. She is most famous for playing the role of “Sasha Williams” in the British teen soap As If from 2001 – 2004. In the British television drama, Footballers’ Wives, she played Elaine Hardy and also in The Mistress of Spices, alongside Bollywood’sAishwaryaRai.
Yvonne Okoro
Nigerian-Ghanaian actress, Yvonne Okoro is a top Nollywood actress. She is a brilliant actress, whose roles are well-played out. In “4 Can Play”, she shows how fast she can rise. She has acted in The Return of Beyonce, The Return of Beyonce 2, Beyonce 2, Beyonce 2: The President’s Daughter, Beyonce: The President’s Daughter, Desperate to Survive, The Game, Agony of Christ, Royal Battle, Queen of Dreams and Le Hotelier.
Funke Akindele
A Nigerian actress, FunkeAkindele has appeared in Yoruba film productions. In 2009, she won the African Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role.
Yvonne Nelson
A former Miss Ghana contestant, she burst into limelight with big-screen roles in Princess Tyraand Playboy. She quickly became a well-known face in Ghana’s film industry. She has gone on to star in Girls’ Connection and other Nollywood films.