Alex Usifo (born 16 April 1953) is a veteran Nigerian actor.[1]
Career
Usifo auditioned at different media houses including Radio Nigeria Lagos,
Voice of Nigeria, NTA Ilorin etc. He made it to the top list, but was dropped because of ‘
Quota System’. He was unemployed for years. On the invitation of his friend/brother Peter Okun, Alex attended a Deeper Life Crusade, where he desperately asked God for a change in his condition, and he got an answer: ‘look inwards’.[2]
His acting career kicked off in 1984 when he played a major role in the tele-movie The Return of the Native. He took lead roles in Natas and Two People.[citation needed] He started attending NTA, Victoria Island to take part in the weekly series At Your Service. He was part of NTA productions: Echoes of Life, and Turning Wheel, between 1984 and 1987.[citation needed]
Recognition came in 1988 when he starred in
Zeb Ejiro's
soap opera, Ripples. Usifo portrayed Talaab Abass. The show broke ground in television because few soap operas existed. Talaab Abass was a villain. Alex interpreted the character with bulging eyes and a baritone voice.[3]
Usifo made a name for himself long before
Nollywood came into existence. He participated in stage plays including Awero. This was staged at the National Theatre, Iganmu. He appeared in Ola Rotimi's Our Husband Has Gone Mad Again! also staged at the National Theatre. He featured in radio and films.[4]
Recognition
Usifo won awards locally and internationally, including:
Best Actor - African Collaboration; RLG Ghana Movie Awards 2012
Best Actor – Ripples; Legends of Nollywood Awards
AETV London and EHIGLAD Entertainment Presentation
Lifetime Achievement Award; Nollywood Christian Fellowship 2012
Excellent Achievement in the Movie Industry; Niger Delta Awards [2009]
Outstanding Achievement in Nollywood; Bells University Awards
Award for Excellence in Artistic Creativity; Achievers’ Intl. University and Educational Network
Peace and Development Award 2013; YELL/Advocacy Magazine & Partnership for Women and Justice
Distinguished Award for Excellence; Rotaract Club of Sagamu
Inspirational Award; United Nations Council of Churches & Ministerial Fellowship
Award for Excellence and Exemplary Living; Omega Fire Ministries