Nollywood Actor, Emmanuel France Dies Age 84

Nollywood veteran actor Emmanuel France, renowned for his roles in Domitilla (1996) and The Curfew (2021), has passed away at the age of 84.

The news of his death emerged on Monday, September 16, following an announcement by his colleague and filmmaker Olufemi Ogedengbe on Instagram. Ogedengbe paid tribute to France, describing him as a legendary actor and an uncle.

He reflected on their collaboration in Tanzania in 2006, where they worked together on three films: Cross My Sin, She is My Sister, and The Director. Ogedengbe’s heartfelt message read, “Rest in peace to one of Nollywood legends, Uncle Emmanuel France. One of the actors I took to Tanzania in 2006. We shot three movies together: Cross My Sin, She Is My Sister, and The Director.”

The cause of Emmanuel France’s death remains undisclosed. His passing follows closely after the death of another Nollywood actor, Big Larry.

France was born in Kano State and joined the Nigerian film industry in the 1980s, gaining fame for his portrayals of Witch Doctor roles. He was also known for his distinctive catchphrase, “Tufancha,” popularized in the classic Nollywood film Suicide Mission. France’s extensive filmography includes titles such as Oganigwe, Narrow Escape, Witches, Silent Night, Exile, and Silent Night.

There has been ongoing debate about Emmanuel France’s nationality. While many believed he was Ghanaian, he clarified his background in a 2011 interview with Modern Ghana.

He stated, “I am not even a Ghanaian but a ‘Gold Coastian’ because my grandparents came from the Gold Coast. They didn’t come from Ghana. I have a Nigerian passport because I was born in Nigeria. I don’t have a Ghanaian passport because I don’t reside there. I didn’t go to school in Ghana. Ghanaians don’t know me as theirs.

Nigerians know me as a Ghanaian. Of course, that is what it is. I say it out loud because my parents come from there.”

France’s career began in Ghana, where he studied at the School of Journalism in Accra. He began writing scripts and created his first stage play, Mission of John the Baptist, for the Catholic Church in 1967. In 1969, he joined the Ghana Film Corporation and directed his first film, The Market Day. He also produced a documentary, No Time to Die, about road safety in Ghana, and a film sponsored by the Ghana Fishing Industry that took him to Angola in 1974. Upon his return, he worked with the Ghana Broadcasting Organisation, writing for the popular soap opera Osopurazi.