Gideon Okeke is a

Nigerian Nigerians or the Nigerian people are citizens of Nigeria or people with ancestry from Nigeria. The name Nigeria was taken from the Niger River running through the country. This name was allegedly coined in the late 19th century by British jour ...

actor, model, and TV Presenter. He came to the public eye in 2006 when he appeared as a contestant on the first edition of '' Big Brother Nigeria''. In 2008, Gideon joined the cast of the

M-NET M-Net (an abbreviation of Electronic Media Network) is a South African pay television channel established by Naspers in 1986. The channel broadcasts both local and international programming, including general entertainment, children's series, ...

TV series ''

Tinsel Tinsel is a type of decorative material that mimics the effect of ice, consisting of thin strips of sparkling material attached to a thread. When in long narrow strips not attached to thread, it is called "lametta", and emulates icicles. It was o ...

'' on which he is a regular to date.

Early life and education

An only child, Gideon grew up in

Ajegunle Ajegunle, popularly known as "AJ City" or simply "AJ", is a neighbourhood located in the heart of Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria. It is located in the Ajeromi-Ifelodun local government area of Lagos. Ajegunle in the Yoruba language means "A plac ...

, one of the slums of

Lagos Lagos (Nigerian English: ; ) is the largest city in Nigeria and the second most populous city in Africa, with a population of 15.4 million as of 2015 within the city proper. Lagos was the national capital of Nigeria until December 1991 fo ...

, a place he speaks so fondly of. He attended

Nnamdi Azikiwe University Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, also called UNIZIK or NAU in short is a federal university in Nigeria. It consists of two campuses in Anambra State. Its main campus is in Awka (the capital of Anambra State), while its other campus is in Nnewi. ...

where he studied applied bio-chemistry. He later enrolled at the

Lee Strasberg Institute The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute (originally the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute) is an acting school founded in 1969 by actor, director, and acting teacher Lee Strasberg. The Institute is located in Union Square on East 15th Street, ...

in New York where he obtained professional training in acting.

Career

Television work

After appearing in the first edition of ''Big Brother Nigeria'', Gideon joined the cast of M-NET daytime series ''Tinsel'', as Phillip Ade Williams, the arrogant son of a media mogul. He remains one of the longest-serving actors on the show. Gideon has also appeared on the South African TV series ''Jacobs cross''. In 2014, he played the role of Bernard in the

irokotv irokotv is a web platform that provides paid-for Nigerian films on-demand. It is one of Africa's first mainstream online movie streaming websites, providing access to over 5,000 Nollywood film titles. irokotv is a part of iROKO Limited, which ...

series '' Poisoned Bait'', directed by BAFTA LA award-winning director

Leila Djansi Leila Afua Djansi (born 1981) is an American and Ghanaian filmmaker who started her film career in the Ghana film industry. Early life Leila Djansi was born Leila Afua Djansi in 1981.Nelmes, Jill; Selbo, Jule''Women Screenwriters: An Internati ...

. In addition, Gideon was the host of the DSTV game show ''Money Drop''.

Film

Gideon landed his first lead role in the Nigerian drama film ''

Relentless Relentless may refer to: Film * ''Relentless'' (1948 film), an American film directed by George Sherman * ''Relentless'', a 1977 American television film starring Will Sampson * ''Relentless'' (1989 film), an American crime film starring Jud ...

'' in 2010, starring alongside

Jimmy Jean-Louis Jimmy Jean-Louis (born August 8, 1968) is a Haitian actor and producer. Born in Pétion-Ville, he moved to Paris at a young age with his family in search of a better life. His early roles were in French television commercials and Spanish musical ...

and Nneka Egbuna. His second lead role was in the 2014 crime thriller ''

A Place in the Stars ''A Place in the Stars'' is a 2014 Nigerian crime thriller film written by Ita Hozaife and J. K. Amalou, co-produced and directed by Steve Gukas. It stars Gideon Okeke, Segun Arinze, Matilda Obaseki, Yemi Blaq, Femi Branch and Dejumo Lewis. Th ...

''. In the same year, he played the role of Tobena, the love interest of the lead character in the romantic comedy

When Love Happens ''...When Love Happens'' is a 2014 Nigerian romantic comedy film co-produced and directed by Seyi Babatope. It stars Weruche Opia, OC Ukeje, Beverly Naya, Oreka Godis, Gideon Okeke, Bukky Wright, Desmond Elliot, Wale Ojo, Keppy Ekpenyong and Sh ...

. Other films to his credit include the caper crime comedy

Gbomo Gbomo Express ''Gbomo Gbomo Express'' is a 2015 Nigerian caper comedy film, written and directed by Walter Taylaur. It stars Ramsey Nouah, Osas Ighodaro, Blossom Chukwujekwu, Kiki Omeili, Alexx Ekubo, Gideon Okeke, Gbenro Ajibade, Ikechukwu Onunaku and Shafy ...

and the Ghanaian romantic drama Anniversary. In 2016 he was cast in the drama thriller '' 93 Days''. Starring alongside Danny Glover, Gideon received an

AMVCA ''Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards'' (AMVCA) is an annual accolade presented by MultiChoice recognizing outstanding achievement in television and film. The inaugural Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards ceremony was held in Lagos, Lagos State ...

nomination for his portrayal of Dr. Morris Ibeawuchi, one of the surviving doctors of the Nigerian Ebola crisis.

Stage

Gideon has appeared in several stage productions including Fractures, an adaptation of

Arthur Miller Arthur Asher Miller (October 17, 1915 – February 10, 2005) was an American playwright, essayist and screenwriter in the 20th-century American theater. Among his most popular plays are ''All My Sons'' (1947), '' Death of a Salesman'' (1 ...

's A View From The Bridge. He also played Fela Kuti in Fela.. Arrest The Music, is a musical that celebrates the talent of the Nigerian Afrobeat legend. Gideon is also a cast member of Saro The Musical 2, currently touring London.

Personal life

Gideon is a single father to daughter born in March 2016.

Filmography

Stage plays

Television

Films

Awards and nominations

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Okeke, Gideon Living people 21st-century Nigerian male actors Male actors from Lagos Nigerian male film actors Nigerian male stage actors Nigerian male television actors Nnamdi Azikiwe University alumni Igbo actors 1983 births Nigerian television presenters Big Brother (franchise) contestants Nigerian television personalities Nigerian male models 20th-century births