Entertainment

Paid N102 million as fee – Here’s why Actor Zubby Michael is the highest-earning Nollywood actor

Published

2 years ago

2022/09/01

Azubuike Michael Egwu, professionally known as Zubby Michael before now, declared himself the highest-paid and most successful Nollywood actor in Africa.

Born 1 February 1985 in Anambra State, Nigeria, the Nigerian film actor and movie producer was not just bragging when he made the claims.

In an interview with The Broadway TV, Michael revealed that he is currently the most prominent actor in Africa.

“No cap! I am the biggest actor in Africa. To God be the glory. I don’t think anyone is bigger than me for now,” the actor revealed.

“For now, I am the richest actor. The last time I checked my book, I realized I had recently made nothing less than N102 million from the actor’s fee. Not in all my career, just recent. I have a book where I write all the films that I have been in and how much they pay me.”

The star actor who recently broke into the cinema filmmaking part of Nollywood also spoke on the secret behind his commercial success. While citing his supernatural grace, Michael shared that his ability to interpret his roles as naturally as possible had influenced his success in Nollywood.

In one of his recent features, the movie made a big break in the cinema part of Nollywood in 2020 with Funke Akindele-Bello and JJC Skillz’s top-grossing film ‘Omo Ghetto: The Saga’.

The actor has since starred in ‘My Village People and Kayode Kasum’s ‘Ponzi’.

Speaking on what inspired the move from Asaba filmmaking, the actor revealed that it was strategic. He says he hopes to break into Hollywood after building a successful career in big screen Nollywood.

A firm believer in the Asaba industry, Michael revealed how thriving the industry has been over the year despite its outmoded filmmaking style. “In Asaba, we make commercial movies and have a huge market,” Michael said while citing YouTube and other forms of distribution that the industry embraces.

Zubby Michael got his acting debut in ‘Missing Rib’, a 2007 romantic drama starring Ramsey Nouah and Tonto Dikeh. Before his debut, he revealed in his Broadway TV interview that his first acting stint was in a music video for one of Patience Ozokwor’s hit singles.

He started acting at the age of 8 years, but he starred in his first movie, ‘Missing R rib’ after completing his first degree and returning to Yola, Adamawa State. His first big break into the Nollywood industry happened in 2006 when he starred in the movie titled ‘The three widows’ in a lead role alongside Oge Okoye.

After the film in 2006, he became a famous face. He acted in many Nigerian home videos like ‘Princess Rihanna’, ‘Implication’, ‘The Generals’, ‘Royal storm’, ‘The killer’, ‘Stolen love’, and many other movies over the years.

He has been nominated for several awards and has won some awards, also. On 25 November 2019, he was appointed as the Special Adviser on media to Willie Obiano, the Executive Governor of Lagos State.

The actor Zubby Michael has numerous endorsement deals apart from acting worth millions of naira, and he owns some luxury cars and not all have been captured in this report.