Ramsey Nouah: I’m done with acting

Soon to be actor/director

Soon to be actor/director

Nollywood and Ramsey Nouah are practically synonymous. He’s been on our screen for 20 years and the actor who first hit the big time as Jeff Akin Thomas in the movie ‘Fortunes’ wants to step away from being in front of the camera to go behind it—and become a director.

In an interview with Nigerian Entertainment Today the dapper actor talks about his lengthy career in the industry, saying, “In the beginning, nobody knew it was going to be this big. Back then, when we started off, we had good content, storyline, production and acting. You would actually think that with time it would get better, but unfortunately there are so many obstacles…The changes in policy [and in] government has affected the industry. Also there was a huge break out of piracy.”

He is optimistic about the industry though, as he mentions the strengthening of production values, and industry insiders making the effort to create stronger material, mentioning a movie Murtala Mohammed assassination flick that has been in the works since 2001.

Still the actor is reluctant for his children to take a crack at Nollywood, saying: “I don’t have any reservations about [my children going into acting], but I wouldn’t want them to go into the [Nigerian] movie industry.”

About hanging up his hat he says:

“I think I’ve had my fair share. To my fans and loved ones, I know they’ll always want to see me on screen, but as they say, it’s best to leave when the ovation is loudest. I want to leave a very strong legacy. I believe I have left a very strong imprint in that line. There’s no possible way you can mention ‘Nollywood’ without mentioning Ramsey Nouah.”

As for what he plans to do next?

“Well, I’ll be going behind the scenes. I’ll still be acting a bit here and there, but it will phase out for directing eventually. For a while now, I’ve not really been on the screen, and that’s because I don’t want to act just because I want to be on TV. I only want to be associated with the kind of movies that are poised to take the industry to another level, which is where we are headed now. Plus, I want to focus on working behind the scenes.”

One comment

  1. Wow! He's talking sense but it is a thing of very, very great concern to hear Ramsey Nouah, our own actor say he does not mind his children acting but not in the Nigerian Movie Industry. This gives great concern.

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