Nollywood actor, Junior Pope is dead
Nollywood actor Junior Pope Odonwodo, also known as Jnr Pope, tragically passed away in a boat accident during a movie shoot in Nigeria's Delta state, as confirmed by his fellow actors.
Initially, there was hope for his survival as doctors tried to revive him in the hospital. However, Emeka Rollas Ejezie, the president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), shared the heartbreaking news on Facebook, stating that despite efforts from two notable hospitals, they couldn't save him.
Videos circulating on social media captured the rescue of the actor from the River Niger, where the incident occurred late Wednesday. In the footage, he appeared unconscious as rescuers carried him to safety.
Prior to the accident, the 39-year-old actor had shared a video on his Instagram, showing him and four others traveling to the movie location on a boat. He expressed concerns about safety measures and prayed for a safe journey.
Junior Pope, renowned for his roles as a criminal, villain, bodyguard, and hitman in over 150 Nollywood movies, received an outpouring of condolences from fellow actors on social media.
In response to this tragedy, the AGN declared Thursday as a ‘No Shoot Day’ for all Nollywood filmmakers, suspending film shoots involving riverine areas and boat riding indefinitely. This decision came after the fatal accident during the filming of ‘The Other Side of Life’, produced by Adamma Luke.
Emeka Rollas, in his statement, extended condolences and announced the suspension of the film ‘The Other Side of Life’ and restrictions on working with Adamma Luke as a producer during this period.
The AGN is actively involved in searching for the bodies of the remaining crew members, with Rollas expressing deep sorrow for the loss and wishing for their souls to rest in peace.
Junior Pope's contributions to the Nollywood industry, particularly his standout performances in films like “Secret Adventures”, have left a lasting impact, earning him accolades such as Nollywood Most Promising Actor in Nigeria, Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice (AMVC) Awards, and Best Actor of the Year at the Africa Movie Academy (AMA) Awards.
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