Udoka Oyeka is a Nigerian-American

actor An actor or actress is a person who portrays a character in a performance. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or in modern media such as film, radio, and television. The analogous Greek term is (), li ...

, director, and producer. He directed the short film, Down and Out, which was nominated in 3 categories, including best short film at the 2013 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards.

Early life and education

Udoka was born in

Dallas Dallas () is the List of municipalities in Texas, third largest city in Texas and the largest city in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, the List of metropolitan statistical areas, fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States at 7.5 ...

, Texas. 2 years after he was born, his family moved from the United States back to Nigeria, where his parents were originally from. His father, Solomon Oyeka, was a chemical engineer while his mother, Florence Oyeka, was a civil servant. After completing high school in

Lagos Lagos (Nigerian English: ; ) is the largest city in Nigeria and the List of cities in Africa by population, second most populous city in Africa, with a population of 15.4 million as of 2015 within the city proper. Lagos was the national ca ...

, Nigeria, Udoka returned to Texas where he attended the University of Texas, Arlington. Since his original passion was music, he decided to take a theatre elective which sparked his passion for acting and directing. After graduating from the University of Texas with a degree in Accounting, he enrolled at the Theresa Bell Actors Studio where he studied acting for the screen. He supported himself through drama school by performing in community theatre.

Career

Udoka started his acting career by performing in school plays while in University. He also performed in Community theatre for two years to put himself through drama school Upon his return to Nigeria, he released his first feature film, ZR-7: The Red House Seven in August 2011. Following that, he released his first short film, Down and Out which was nominated for the Best Short Film Award at the 2013 African Magic Viewer's Choice Awards. In 2013, he directed a Cancer Awareness film titled "Living Funeral" which was produced by the Pink Pearl Foundation. The movie was nominated for 8 awards at the African Magic Viewers Choice Awards. In 2018, he was nominated for the Most Promising Actor of the Year (English) Category at the City People Movie Awards.

Filmography

Movies He Directed

#'' ZR-7 :The Red House Seven (''2011) #''Down and Out'' (2012) # ''Living Funeral'' (2013) #''No Good Turn'' (2015) #''Las Gidi Vice'' (2017) # ''Three Thieves'' (2019) #''Listen'' (2020) #'' The Razz Guy'' (2021) #''Price of Admission'' (2021)

Movies He Acted In

*''

Tinsel (TV series) ''Tinsel'' is a Nigerian soap opera that began airing in August 2008. On 23 May 2013, the show's 1000th episode aired. It has been called "the most successful television drama on Nigerian television in recent times". On 21 Jan 2021, the show's 3 ...

'' *

Gidi Up ''Gidi Up'' is a Nigerian television and web drama series starring OC Ukeje, Deyemi Okanlawon, Somkele Iyamah, and Titilope Sonuga in lead roles. The series was created by Jadesola Osiberu and executively produced by Lola Odedina. It is prod ...

(TV Series) *''When Love Happens'' *''No Good Turn'' (2015) * ''The First Lady'' (2015) *''

Lunch Time Heroes ''Lunch Time Heroes'' is a 2015 Nigerian family comedy film directed by Seyi Babatope, and starring: Dakore Akande, Omoni Oboli, Diana Yekinni, Tina Mba and Tope Tedela. The film tells the story of Banke (Diana Yekinni), a corp member who has ...

'' (2015) * ''Sylvia'' (2018) *''

Coming from Insanity ''Coming from Insanity'' is a 2019 Nigerian crime drama film directed and written by Akinyemi Sebastian Akinropo. It stars Gabriel Afolayan, Damilola Adegbite, Dakore Akande, Wale Ojo and Bolanle Ninalowo. The film was released on 14 June 20 ...

'' (2019)

Awards

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Oyeka, Udoka Living people University of Texas at Arlington alumni Nigerian male television actors Nigerian film directors 1970 births