# Richard Mofe-Damijo

Richard Evans Mofe-Damijo (born 6 July 1961), popularly known as RMD, is a foremost Nigerian actor, writer, producer, lawyer, and former journalist. He was also a Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Delta State in 2009. In 2005, he won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 12th Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2016. In 2024, he was honoured with the Industry Merit Awards, alongside Iya Rainbow at the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards.

## Early life

Mofe-Damijo was born in Aladja community of Udu Kingdom, Delta State, in the South-South region of Nigeria. He attended Midwest College, Warri and Anglican Grammar School, and was a member of the Drama Club. He studied Theatre Arts at the University of Benin. In 1997, Mofe-Damijo returned to the university to study law at the University of Lagos, and graduated in 2004.

## Career

After graduating from university with a Theatre Arts degree, Mofe-Damijo appeared in the soap opera Ripples as a police inspector but gained more popularity as villain Segun Kadiri in rival soap Checkmate. Before then, he had a stint as a writer with daily newspaper The Concord, and magazines Metro and Quality. Out of Bounds was the first film for which he received a writer/producer credit. In 2005, at the maiden edition of the Africa Movie Academy Awards, Mofe-Damijo won the award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. On 5th January 2017, he hosted the 2016 GLO-CAF Awards alongside Nigerian journalist Mimi Fawaz. On 8th December 2021, he won an award at Ghana, a Black Star Honor at the Rhymes on Da Runway in Gold coast, Ghana.

## Political career

Mofe-Damijo was appointed as the Special Adviser of Culture and Tourism to the then Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan in 2008, and was Delta State commissioner for culture and tourism 2009 and 2015.

## Personal life

Mofe-Damijo was married to a journalist/publisher and talk show host May Ellen 'MEE' Ezekiel. After her death in 1996, Mofe-Damijo married TV personality Jumobi Adegbesan, who later left TV presenting for the corporate world. Mofe-Damijo has five children: two with his current wife and three from his previous marriage.

## Selected filmography
### Film

| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1997 | Out of Bounds | Pastor Voke | with Bimbo Akintola & Racheal Oniga |
| 1997 | Hostages | | |
| 1998 | Scores to Settle | | with Liz Benson & Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde |
| 1998 | Suicide Mission | | with Regina Askia |
| 1998 | Diamond Ring | Chief Dike | with Liz Benson & Gbadewonuola Oyelakin aka Teju Babyface |
| 1999 | Freedom | | |
| 1999 | The Price | Pastor Ken | with Eucharia-Anunobi EKWU |
| 2003 | When God Says Yes | Harry | with Pete Edochie & Stella Damasus-Aboderin |
| 2003 | The Richest Man | | |
| 2003 | The Return | | with Segun Arinze |
| 2003 | The Intruder | | with Stella Damasus-Aboderin & Rita Dominic |
| 2003 | Soul Provider | | with Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde |
| 2003 | Romantic Attraction | | with Stella Damasus-Aboderin, Chioma Chukwuka & Zack Orji |
| 2003 | Private Sin | Pastor Jack | with Genevieve Nnaji, Stephanie Okereke, Olu Jacobs & Patience Ozokwor |
| 2003 | Passions | | with Genevieve Nnaji & Stella Damasus-Aboderin |
| 2003 | Love | | with Genevieve Nnaji & Segun Arinze |
| 2003 | Keeping Faith: Is That Love? | | with Genevieve Nnaji & Joke Silva |
| 2003 | I Will Die for You | | with Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde & Segun Arinze |
| 2003 | Emotional Pain | Greg | with Stella Damasus-Aboderin |
| 2003 | Ayomida | Police Officer Idama | |
| 2004 | The Mayors | | with Sam Dede & Segun Arinze |
| 2004 | True Romance | Jim | with Rita Dominic & Desmond Elliot |
| 2004 | The Legend | | with Kate Henshaw-Nuttal |
| 2004 | Standing Alone | Daniel | with Stella Damasus-Aboderin & Tony Umez |
| 2004 | Sisters' Enemy | | |
| 2004 | Queen | | with Stella Damasus-Aboderin |
| 2004 | Little Angel | | |
| 2004 | Kings Pride | | with Stella Damasus-Aboderin |
| 2004 | I Want Your Wife | Eddy | |
| 2004 | Indecent Girl | Charles | with Ini Edo |
| 2004 | Indecent Act | | with Rita Dominic |
| 2004 | I Believe in You | | with Rita Dominic |
| 2004 | Engagement Night | | with Stella Damasus-Aboderin |
| 2004 | Deadly Desire | | |
| 2004 | Danger Signal | Dr. C.K. Morgan | with Desmond Elliot |
| 2004 | Critical Decision | | with Genevieve Nnaji & Stephanie Okereke |
| 2004 | Burning Desire | | with Stella Damasus-Aboderin & Mike Ezuruonye |
| 2004 | Critical Assignment | The President | with Hakeem Kae-Kazim |
| 2005 | The Bridesmaid | Steve | with Chioma Chukwuka, Kate Henshaw-Nuttal & Stella Damasus-Aboderin |
| 2005 | Darkest Night | | with Genevieve Nnaji, Segun Arinze & Uche Jombo |
| 2005 | Bridge-Stone | Gabriel | with Liz Benson & Zack Orji |
| 2005 | Behind Closed Doors | | with Stella Damasus-Aboderin, Desmond Elliot & Patience Ozokwor |
| 2005 | Baby Girl | | with Pete Edochie |
| 2006 | Angels of Destiny | | with Emeka Ike, Lilian Bach |
| 2007 | Caught in the Middle | | with Dakore Akande |
| 2014 | 30 Days in Atlanta | Kimberley's father | with Ada Ameh, Ramsey Nouah |
| 2016 | Dinner | Adetunde George Snr | with Iretiola Doyle |
| 2016 | The Wedding Party | Felix Onwuka | with Sola Sobowale, Ireti Doyle & Adesua Etomi |
| 2016 | The Grudge | Tayo Kindle | with Doyle and Funmi Holder |
| 2017 | 10 Days in Sun City | Otunba Ayoola Williams | with Ayo Makun & Adesua Etomi |
| 2017 | The Wedding Party 2 | Felix Onwuka | with Sola Sobowale, Ireti Doyle & Adesua Etomi |
| 2019 | God Calling | Sade's father | with Zainab Balogun, Kabiri Fubara, Adedamol Adedeoyin, Onyeka Onwenu, Seun Ajayi, Eku Eduwor, Seun Faqua |
| 2019 | Love Is War | Dimeji Phillips | with Omoni Oboli |
| 2020 | The New Normal | Chairman | with Bimbo Akintola, Adunni Ade |
| 2021 | Fine Wine | Seye George | with Ego Nwosu, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Keppy Ekpenyong and Zainab Balogun |
| 2021 | Christmas in Miami | Dafe | with Ayo Makun |
| 2022 | Boycott | Bui | with Yemi Blaq, Kunle Coker, Tolulope Asanu |
| 2022 | 4:4:44 | Hillary | With Chiwetalu Agu, Betsy Akan, Seun Akindele |
| 2022 | Palava! | Osa Wonda | With Mercy Aigbe, Bisola Aiyeola, Neo Akpofure |
| 2023 | The Black Book | Paul Edima | with Ade Laoye, Sam Dede, Shaffy Bello |
| 2023 | Tarella: Princess of the Nile | King Ohen | With Onyinye Ezekwe, Timini Egbuson, Esosa Lawson |
| 2027 | Children of Blood and Bone | | |

### TV shows

| Year | Show | Role | Notes |
| 2018 | Castle & Castle | Tega Castle | with Dakore Akande, Ade Laoye and Deyemi Okanlawon |
| 2021 | King of Boys: The Return of the King | Reverend Ifeanyi | with Sola Sobowale, Toni Tones, Reminisce and Illbliss |
| 2022 | Far From Home | Feyi Wilmer Willoughby | With Funke Akindele, Adesuwa Etomi - Wellington |
| 2023 | Shanty Town | Chief Fernandez | With Chidi Mokeme, Nse Ikpe Etim, Ini Edo |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Event | Prize | Work | Result |
| 2009 | 5th Africa Movie Academy Awards | Best Film In Nigeria | State of The Heart | Nominated |
| 2012 | 2012 Best of Nollywood Awards | Special Recognition Award | | Won |
| 2015 | 2015 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards | Best Supporting Actor | 30 days in Atlanta | Nominated |
| 2016 | 12th Africa Movie Academy Awards | LifeTime Achievement Award | | Won |
| 2017 | 2017 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards | Best Actor in Leading Role | | Nominated |
| 2017 | Africa Movie Academy Awards | Best Actor in Leading Role | | Nominated |
| 2017 | Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Supporting Actor | | Nominated |
| 2021 | Net Honours | Most Popular Actor | | Nominated |
| 2022 | Exclusive Men of the Year Africa Awards | Continental Film Icon | | Won |
| 2023 | Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards | Best Actor In A Drama, Movie Or TV Series | Four Four Forty Four | Nominated |