Anayo Modestus Onyekwere popularly known as Kanayo O. Kanayo is a Nigerian actor and lawyer.
Gatekeepers News reports that Kanayo won the African Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in the movie Family Battle in 2006.
Early Life
Born on 1 March 1962, Kanayo is a native of Nru Umueze Oboama Ezinihitte in Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, Southeast Nigeria.
He was raised in Aba, Abia State, Southeast Nigeria and attended St. Joseph primary school. Kanayo had his secondary education at Secondary Technical School, Aba. He obtained a diploma in Mass Communication, a diploma in Law and a graduate degree in philosophy from the University of Lagos. He proceeded to obtain a master’s degree in political sciences. Kanayo also obtained a Law degree from the University of Abuja in 2018 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2020.
Early Career
He started his acting career in 1982, acting in productions by the Nigerian Television Authority. Kanayo 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 African 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.
Kanayo has featured in other Nollywood productions including Lion Heart and the sitcom Professor Johnbull. 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, as he was among various Nigerians honored by the government in 2014 during the centenary celebration.
In 2019, Kanayo contested for the seat of Ahiazu/Ezinihitte Mbaise Federal Constituency of Imo State at the House of Representatives under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), but he lost the election.
Personal Life
Kanayo is married to Nneka Onyekwere and they have three children together.
Net Worth
According to reports, Kanayo O. Kanayo’s net worth is an estimated $3 million.
