Osita Iheme facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Osita Iheme
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Iheme at the 2014 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards
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| Born | 20 February 1982 Mbaitoli, Imo State, Nigeria
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| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Other names | Pawpaw |
| Education | Bachelor of Science |
| Alma mater | Lagos State University |
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| Years active | 2002— present |
| Known for | Aki na Ukwa |
| Parents |
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| Awards | Africa Movie Academy Award for Lifetime Achievement (2007) |
| Honours | Order of the Federal Republic |
Osita Iheme (born February 20, 1982) is a famous Nigerian actor, producer, and comedian. Many people know him by his nickname, Pawpaw. He became a star after playing the role of Pawpaw in the 2002 movie Aki na Ukwa alongside his friend and fellow actor, Chinedu Ikedieze.
Because of his small size, Osita often played the role of a child in his early movies, even though he was an adult. This made his character very funny and memorable. His work has made him one of the most famous actors in Nollywood, which is the name for Nigeria's film industry. In 2011, he received a special national award, the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR), from the President of Nigeria for his contributions to entertainment.
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Early Life and Education
Osita Iheme was born in Abia State, Nigeria, but his family is from Mbaitoli in Imo State. He grew up in a family with four other siblings. His parents are Herbert and Augustina Iheme.
After finishing his early schooling, Osita went to Lagos State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. He later earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree. He started his acting career in 1998, at first playing small parts in movies.
Acting Career
Osita's career took off in 2002 when he starred with Chinedu Ikedieze in the comedy film Aki na Ukwa. In the movie, the two played a pair of mischievous brothers. The film was a huge success and made both actors famous across Nigeria and Africa. Their on-screen partnership was so popular that they starred in many more movies together.
For a long time, Osita was often chosen for roles as a child or a young boy because of his height. This is called "typecasting." However, he used this to his advantage, creating a unique and hilarious character that audiences loved.
Over the years, he has acted in over 100 movies, including Baby Police, The Mirror Boy, and the 2021 movie Aki and Pawpaw, which brought the famous characters back to the screen. In 2023, he became an ambassador for TAJBank.
Personal Life
In 2022, his older brother, Prince Iheme, sadly passed away. Osita has mentioned that he might be interested in running for a political office in the future.
Awards and Legacy
Osita Iheme's work has earned him many awards. In 2007, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Africa Movie Academy Awards. In 2011, President Goodluck Jonathan honored him with the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR), a very important national award in Nigeria.
Even years after Aki na Ukwa was released, Osita's character "Pawpaw" is still incredibly popular. Since 2019, clips and images of him from his movies have become famous memes on social media sites like Twitter and TikTok. These memes have introduced him to a new, global audience who enjoy his funny expressions and reactions.
Selected Filmography
Osita Iheme has starred in a very large number of films. Here are some of his most well-known movies:
- Aki na ukwa (2002)
- 2 Rats (2003)
- Baby Police (2003)
- Mr. Ibu (2004)
- Boys from Holland (2006)
- The Mirror Boy (2011)
- Celebrity Marriage (2017)
- Aki and Pawpaw (2021)
- Christmas in Miami (2021)
See also
In Spanish: Osita Iheme para niños
