David Oyelowo, Cynthia Erivo, 3 other Popular Hollywood Stars with Nigerian RootsHollywood is the largest film industry in the world and it has many talented actors of Nigerian descent. These actors have been featured in many blockbuster movies and a lot of young people look up to them. Your support matters. Sustain independent journalism in Nigeria – contribute to Legit.ng. Legit.ng presents five Hollywood stars with Nigerian roots. David Oyelowo was born to Nigerian parents in England on April 1, 1976. His father hails from Oyo state while his mother is from Edo state. The successful actor starred in the Queen of Katwe and played supporting roles in the Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Lincoln, and Jack Reacher. PAY ATTENTION: Join Legit.ng Telegram channel! Never miss important updates! The actress and singer was born in Stockwell, England, on January 8, 1987, to Nigerian parents. Her mother is a nurse, The Nation reports. Recommended for you "His music is so unique": Singer Simi reacts to Asake’s fabulous performanc... She played the lead role in the biopic Harriet and was nominated for several awards. Cynthia is the recipient of several accolades, including a Daytime Emmy Award, a Grammy Award and a Tony Award, in addition to nominations for two Academy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. John Boyega was born to Nigerian parents in Peckham, England, on March 17, 1992. Some of the films he has featured in include Detroit, Pacific Rim, and Imperial Dreams. He received the BAFTA Rising Star Award in 2016. Yvonne Orji was born to Nigerian parents in Port Harcourt on December 2, 1983, but was raised in Maryland, the United States. She is known for her role in the HBO series Insecure. Yvonne has starred in several films like Jane The Virgin, Flip the script, among others. Recommended for you BREAKING: Court sends Okorocha's ex-commissioner to prison Chiwetel Umeadi Ejiofor is a British-Nigerian actor. According to Chiwetel's biography on IMDb, he was born on July 10, 1977. After enrolling at the National Youth Theatre in 1995 and attending the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art at the age of 19 and three months into his course, Ejiofor was cast by Steven Spielberg to play a supporting role in the film Amistad as James Covey. He has since starred in numerous movies such as 12 Years a Slave, The Lion King, Half of a Yellow Sun, Deadly Travel, among others. Legit.ng previously reported that Thomas D. Jakes, the bishop of Potter’s House, a church in the United States, said he traced his roots to Nigeria and discovered that his ancestors were Igbos. The renowned man of God made the disclosure during an interview with BBC Igbo, where he said he has the major attribute of the Igbo tribe, which is hardworking. Jakes said he eats fufu and jollof rice whenever he comes to Nigeria, adding that Nigerian cuisines make his head sweat. Source: Legit.ng Hollywood is the largest film industry in the world and it has many talented actors of Nigerian descent. These actors have been featured in many blockbuster movies and a lot of young people look up to them. Your support matters. Sustain independent journalism in Nigeria – contribute to Legit.ng. Legit.ng Join Legit.ng Telegram channel! Never miss important updates! Legit.ng