# Kanayo O. Kanayo

Anayo Modestus Onyekwere MFR // popularly known as Kanayo O. Kanayo // (born 1 March 1962) is a Nigerian actor and lawyer. In 2006, He won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in the movie Family Battle.

## Early life and education

Kanayo was born on 1 March 1962. He is a native of Nru Umueze Oboama Ezinihitte in Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria. Kanayo was raised in Aba, Abia State and attended St. Joseph primary school. He had his secondary education at Secondary Technical School, Aba. He later obtained a diploma in Mass Communication, another diploma in Law and a graduate degree in philosophy from the University of Lagos. He also obtained a master's degree in political sciences. He also obtained a Law degree from the University of Abuja in 2018 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2020.

## Career

Kanayo started his acting career in 1982, acting in productions by the national broadcaster, the Nigerian Television Authority, where he appeared in 1987 Television series Things Fall Apart and Checkmate. He made his debut movie appearance in the year 1992 in the film Living in Bondage. He has starred in over 100 films and was nominated in 2008 for Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the movie Across the Niger. His most recent movies are Up North and Living in Bondage: Breaking Free.
In 2011, he contested for a seat in the Nigerian House of Representatives but lost. Seven years later, he again unsuccessfully contested for same position.
He has featured in multiple Nollywood productions including Lion Heart and the sitcom Professor Johnbull, however, he is known for playing the role of a villain in these productions especially in films relating to occultic practices.
He has received the order of the MFR.
Kanayo was among various Nigerians honored by the government in 2014 during the centenary celebration.

## Politics

In 2013, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan appointed him to the board of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Studies.
Kanayo declared his interest on June 3, 2018 to represent the Ahiazu/Ezinihitte Mbaise Federal Constituency of Imo State at the House of Representatives the following election year which was 2019. He made this known to the public, stating he was going to be under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). He lost the election but was expected to run in the 2023 election.
Kanayo disclosed in 2022 he was not contesting for any position in politics and said, "I will not contest for any political office in 2023. This sacrifice is to enable me to work for a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction."

## Personal life

Kanayo and his wife, Nneka Onyekwere have been married since 1999. They have four children: Oloaku Valerie, Clinton (also known as Onye Eze Mbaise), Einstein and Kassochukwa Montell.

## Achievements and Awards

In 2006, he won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in the movie Family Battle. Two years later, he received a nomination for Best Actor at the 2008 AMAA awards for his role in Across the Niger.

## Filmography
### Films

| Year | Title | Role |
| 1992 | Living in Bondage | Chief Omego |
| 1993 | Circle of Doom | |
| 1994 | Nneka the Pretty Serpent | Emeka |
| 1997 | Blood Money: The Vulture Men | Chief Collins |
| 1998 | Full Moon | Daniel |
| 1999 | Festival of Fire | |
| 1999 | Chains | Julius |
| 1999 | In Seven Days | Innocent |
| 2000 | Battle of Love | Dubem |
| 2000 | 419 Connection: Deadly Rose | |
| 2000 | Ngene: The Mistake of the Past Millennium | |
| 2001 | Kids Are Angry | Mensa |
| 2002 | Evil-Doers | Solomon |
| 2003 | Billionaire's Club | Don |
| 2004 | Across the Niger | Dubem |
| 2005 | Money is Money | Andy |
| 2005 | End of Money | Etiokwe |
| 2006 | Before Ordination | Ilodibe |
| 2007 | Cover Up | Sam |
| 2008 | Sin No More | Eric |
| 2009 | Lost Desire | Nana Sarpong |
| 2014 | Apaye | Emman |
| 2014 | October 1 | Okafor |
| 2016 | A Little Lie | Tony |
| 2017 | Celebrity Marriage | Mr. Gabriel |
| 2018 | Up North | Chief Otuekong |
| 2018 | Lion Heart | Igwe Pascal |
| 2019 | Living in Bondage: Breaking Free | Chief Emeka Omego |
| 2021 | Detour | |
| 2022 | Unexpected | Chief Maduka |
| | Almajiri | Broker |
| 2023 | Charlie and the Boys | Charles Omokwe |
| 2023 | Finding Odera | Chief Micheals |
| 2023 | Zarz End | |
| 2023 | Áfàméfùnà: An Nwa Boi Story | |
| 2024 | Out of Breath | Obioha |
| 2024 | Dear God | Pastor |

### TV shows

| Year | Title | Role |
| 1984-88 | Village Headmaster | |
| 1991-94 | Checkmate | Okosun |
| | Ripples | |
| | New Masquerade | |
| 2016 | Professor Johnbull | Professor Johnbull |
| 2023–present | Agu | Etim Inyang |
| 2024 | Life and Dirt | Chief Obi |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
| 2006 | Africa Movie Academy Awards | Best Actor in a Leading Role | Family Battle | Won |
| 2008 | Africa Movie Academy Awards | Best Actor in a Leading Role | Across the Niger | Nominated |
| 2012 | Africa Movie Academy Awards | Special Recognition Award | — | Won |
| 2014 | Africa Movie Academy Awards | Best Actor in a Leading Role | Apaye | Nominated |
| 2014 | Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards | Best Actor | Apaye | Won |
| 2014 | Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards | Best On-Screen Duo | Apaye | Nominated |
| 2014 | Best of Nollywood Awards | Best Actor in Leading Role (English) | Apaye | Nominated |
| 2014 | Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Actor in a Lead Role | Apaye | Nominated |
| 2019 | Africa Movie Academy Awards | Best Actor in a Supporting Role | Up North | Nominated |