Veteran Nollywood actor Pete Edochie has drawn a sharp line between himself and his colleagues, saying he has no favourite actor because he sits above them all.
The Things Fall Apart star made the remarks in a newly released episode of comedian Isbae U’s Curiosity Made Me Ask podcast. Asked to name the actor he admires most, Edochie refused to pick anyone.
“I don’t have a favourite actor because I am bigger than all of them,” he said.
He also addressed industry voices who have written that they entered acting before him. He said he has never bothered to answer them.
“People have been writing that they are older than me in the industry, but I don’t respond.”
Pressed on colleagues who believe they stand on the same level, Edochie issued a public dare.
“Whoever said they are of the same level with me should come out and say it.”
The comments land after actor Yemi Solade previously said that although Edochie is older, Solade started acting first and still called him a senior colleague. Solade repeated that claim on the same Curiosity Made Me Ask platform. Edochie did not mention Solade in the new interview.
On the title “legend,” the veteran said he does not fully know what people mean by it, but he welcomes the honour.
“I don’t know the definition of people’s legend, but I’m glad to be celebrated.”
Edochie also noted that he was already established in broadcasting before he moved into acting and later retired as a Director of Programmes. He remains one of Nollywood’s most recognisable faces decades after his breakthrough as Okonkwo in the television adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart.