Junior Pope
Pope Obumneme Odonwodo[1] (May 7, 1984 – April 10, 2024), also known as Junior Pope, was a Nigerian actor and filmmaker. He started acting in 2006, appearing in the 2007 film Secret Adventures, along with the 2010 film Bitter Generation.
Early life and education
changeOdonwodo was born in Bamenda, Cameroon, on May 7, 1984[2][3] to his father Luke Odonwodo who is apart of the Igbo ethnic group, and a Cameroonian mother.[4][5] He lived in Bamenda with his parents[6] until he moved to Nigeria, for his primary and secondary education. He was the only child of his parents.[7]
Described by Isaiah Ogedegbe as "one of the most talented actors in Nigeria",[8] he was popular all over the world and won multiple awards.
He was said to have "made a remarkable impact during his lifetime".[9] He was also said to have "touched so many lives".[9]
Death
changeWhile Pope took part in a movie shoot titled "The Other Side of Life",[10] during a movie location journey his boat capsized in a river accident which initially claimed the lives of three other crew members and later claimed his own life.[1] He died on April 10, 2024,[1] just one month before his 40th birthday.[10]
A week later, Nigerian actress Angela Okorie had a public dispute with another Nigerian actor Zubby Michael whom she had described as "a wicked person", because he seemed to have hesitated posting a tribute in honour of the late Junior Pope.[11]
Okorie had earlier criticized some of her colleagues for posting "their hypocritical tributes to Junior Pope".[12]
Yet, this same set of people "never celebrated Junior Pope while he was alive".[13]
According to Isaiah Ogedegbe, the propensity some people have for always posting tributes whenever a person dies underscores the fact that: "Nigerians love celebrating the dead while taking the living for granted".[12]
Junior Pope was praised for his exceptional acting ability and was also described as "a man who could act any role he was given very well".[14]
Pete Edochie also called him "a gift to the entire world" in a tribute.[15][16]
Not only was Junior Pope described by Isaiah Ogedegbe as "one of the most talented actors in Nigeria", but he was also considered as "one of Nigeria's richest and most influential actors", with an estimated net worth of $350,000.[17]
However, Junior Pope's great contribution of humanitarian action in the Nigerian movie industry has not gone unnoticed, as he was said to have "made a remarkable impact during his lifetime" and also to have "touched so many lives".[17]
References
change- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "BREAKING: Tragedy Hits Nollywood Again As Actor Junior Pope Dies At 39". Leadership News. 10 April 2024. Archived from the original on 14 April 2024. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ Okiki, Adeduyite (10 April 2024). "UPDATED: Junior Pope, three other Nollywood actors die in boat accident at age 39". The Punch. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
- ↑ "Junior Pope Njoku". Nolly Wire. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
- ↑ Rachael, Omidiji (11 April 2024). "10 things to know about Nollywood actor, Junior Pope". Nigerian Tribune. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
- ↑ Friday, Omasala (10 April 2024). "Actor Jnr Pope who reportedly drowned resuscitated". Premium Times. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
- ↑ "Nollywood Actor, Jnr Pope Is dead at 39". The Fact Daily. 10 April 2024. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
- ↑ Mercy, Olatunji (23 December 2020). "Biography of Nollywood actor Junior Pope and other facts about him". DNB Africa. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
- ↑ Ogedegbe, Evelyn (15 April 2024). "Isaiah Ogedegbe Mourns Nollywood Actor Junior Pope". The Warri Times. Archived from the original on 15 April 2024. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ 9.0 9.1 Ogedegbe, Isaiah (17 April 2024). "Isaiah Ogedegbe Pays Tribute to Late Junior Pope". The Warri Times. Archived from the original on 18 April 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ 10.0 10.1 Ogedegbe, Isaiah (13 April 2024). "Nollywood Actor Junior Pope Dies at 39, After Boat Capsized in a River Accident". The Warri Times. Archived from the original on 15 April 2024. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "You don't celebrate people when they are alive or when they win, everyone knows you're wicked - Actress Angela Okorie drags colleague, Zubby Michael". Linda Ikeji's Blog. 19 April 2024. Archived from the original on 19 April 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Junior Pope: The 'Mugubriosity' of Being Unsung While Alive and Being Celebrated at Death -By Isaiah Ogedegbe". NGGOSSIPS.com. 18 April 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ↑ Fasan, Yewande (15 April 2024). "Angela Okorie calls out colleagues for 'fake' tributes to Junior Pope". The Nation Newspaper. Archived from the original on 15 April 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "Junior Pope: Isaiah Ogedegbe Celebrates His 40th Posthumous Birthday and Eulogises Him". NGGOSSIPS.com. 7 May 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
- ↑ David, Obed (1 May 2024). "Jnr Pope: Veteran actor Pete Edochie breaks silence, appeals to Nigerians". Premium Times. Archived from the original on 2 May 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ Ogedegbe, Isaiah (1 May 2024). "Pete Edochie Says Junior Pope's Life Was Cut Short in Emotional Video". The Warri Times. Archived from the original on 1 May 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Junior Pope Odonwodo Biography, Early Life, Education, Career, Family, Wife, Children, Personal Life, Social Media, Awards, Net Worth, Philanthropy And Influence". LabaranYau.com. Archived from the original on 10 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
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