veteran Nollywood actor Roy De Nani revealed the devastating personal toll of his years-long “blacklisting” in the movie industry.
Speaking on the Where Is The Lie podcast, the legendary actor shared that he lost both his son and daughter to sickle cell anemia because he simply could not afford the blood transfusions needed to save their lives.
The “Nollywood Silence”
De Nani’s testimony was a raw indictment of the industry he served for decades, highlighting a lack of welfare and empathy for veterans:
- The Financial Chokehold: The actor alleged that a powerful, unnamed figure in Nollywood had unofficially blacklisted him for nearly 30 years, directing producers not to cast him. This loss of income left him helpless when his children’s health declined.
- A Father’s Grief: “I lost my son and daughter because they needed blood transfusion so they could continue living, but there was no money to buy the blood, and they died,” De Nani shared.
- Industry Abandonment: Beyond the financial struggle, De Nani expressed deep pain over the emotional neglect from his colleagues. He revealed that not a single actor or actress reached out, visited, or supported him during the funerals of his children or even when he lost his brother.
- The “Relevance” Trap: He noted that in Nollywood, colleagues often only “care” when they are personally affected or when a tragedy involves a currently “relevant” or wealthy star.
Who is Roy De Nani?
For younger fans, Roy De Nani (often called Roy Leo De Nani) is a foundational figure in modern Nigerian cinema:
- Career Highlights: He is known for his roles in early 2000s classics like Hatred (2001), Onye-Eze, and Long John (2002).
- The Struggle: Despite featuring in over 100 productions, De Nani’s story echoes those of other veterans like Dele Odule and Patience Ozokwo, who have recently spoken out about the financial instability and isolation facing Nollywood’s pioneers.
