By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A popular actor in the Nigerian movie industry, otherwise known as Nollywood, Ernest Asuzu, has died after he slumped on Tuesday evening.
President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Mr Emeka Rollas, who confirmed the death of his colleague, explained that Mr Asuzu gave up the ghost on his way to the hospital.
According to the leader of the actors’ group in the country, the famous ‘gangster’ role interpreter slumped and was being taken to a medical facility but could not make it there.
“Yes, Ernest Asuzu is dead. I am trying to reach his wife to get the full details. I will get back to you,” Mr Rollas was quoted as saying by Punch when contacted.
The movie career of Mr Asuzu began in the ’90s and blossom in the late ’90s and early 2000s. In fact, he was the toast of filmmakers because of the way he interpreted ‘bad boy’ roles he was asked to play.
However, things began to wane when Jim Iyke came into the picture, with producers preferring the interpretations of the latter, especially with his swags.
Mr Asuzu later went into oblivion and in 2015, there were news reports that he suffered a stroke, which affected his speech and kept him bedridden for three years.
However, he was healed at a church in Delta State by a popular cleric, Prophet Jeremiah Funfeyin of Mercyland Deliverance Ministry.
After his healing, he returned to Lagos, where he had lived almost all his life, though he hails from Imo State, to restart afresh.
It was later reported that he was struggling to cater well for himself. In 2020, he launched his music career with the release of an album titled The Truth, which chronicled his challenges and how he received healing from God.
Mr Asuzu, before his demise, acted in several flicks including the 1997 movie titled Rituals, a 2004 film titled Last Wedding, another 2004 flick titled Ogidan, a 2005 movie titled Never End, amongst others.
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