39 black celebrities in Hollywood with Nigerian origin
In the entertainment industry of Hollywood, there are many black celebrities of African descent. At first, people think they are black Americans, but they are also Nigerians by their descendants. Following the African American lives broadcast by PBS, many celebrities and Afro-American personalities will do DNA tests to discover their African origins.
The stars on this list were born in Nigeria and grew up overseas, while others were born and raised outside the country, nevertheless, they have one or both Nigerian parents. Others have done DNA tests to find out their origins.
- 1/ Sade (Nigeria)
Singer Sade is Nigerian-British. She was born in Nigeria in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria to be exact.
His mother is English, and his father is a Nigerian from the Yoruba tribe. When she was young, her mother and brother in London took to live after the relationship of her parents ran into a difficult time.
- 2/ Forest Whitaker (Nigeria – Igbo people)
Forest Whitaker is an American actor, director and producer.
His ancestors come from Nigeria. Indeed, his father’s ancestors come from the Igbo tribe in Nigeria. Specifically, they are in the village of Nkwere. Forest Whitaker went to the land of these ancestors. Forest Whitaker received on that day the honorary title of Chief “Nwannedinambe de Nkwerre” means “a brother in foreign land”, Sunday, April 5, 2009
Chief Anyiam-Osigwe said:
He’s our lost brother. We found him after all these years, and brought home. There is only one Nkwere man to find the way home after all these years … Today our brother Whitaker and his friend Glover will be made Nkwere chiefs and it’s not easy to be a leader Nkwere because there are only 30 in the world. “
Forest Whitaker told Next magazine that it was not the first time he came to Nigeria.
Forest Whitaker explained that he was very interested in working with Nigerian filmmakers and producers. This is great news for the Nollywood film industry.
Forest Whitaker says:
Now I know where I am, it’s the best gift anyone can receive. “
Film: He is known for his role as dictator Idi Amin of Uganda in the 2006 film The Last King of Scotland “Last King of Scotland. He has starred in several films such as Bird, Phenomenon, Panic Room, Phone Booth, American Gun, Ghost Dog, The Way of Samurai, Battlefield Earth, etc.
- 3/ Danny Glover (Nigeria)
Danny Glover is an American actor, director and political activist. His ancestors come from Nigeria. Danny Glover visits Nigeria at least three times a year.
Danny Glover met actor Forest Whitaker in Nigeria. The two actors went together to Nkwerre village, in the state of Imo, Eastern Nigeria. They were greeted warmly by the local population. On that day, the two companions received honorary titles.
Film: Danny Glover is known for his roles as Sir Albert Jhonson in Purple Color “The Color Purple”, by detective Sergeant Roger Murtaugh in the Fatal Weapon (1,2,3,4), and so on.
- 4/ Chiwetel Ejiofor (Nigeria – Igbo people)
Chiwetel was born and raised in the U.K by his Nigerian parents of the Igbo tribe.
Film: 12 Years A Slave, Half of a Yellow Sun, Deadly Travel, Secret In Their Eyes.
- 5/ Taio Cruz
Taio Cruz is a British singer born in London. His father is a Nigerian while his mother is Brazilian.
- 6/. Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje
Actor of the series Oz and lost, was born in Washington D.C of Nigerian parents.
Movie: The Mummy Returns, Pompeii, The Bourne Identity
He is fluent in Yoruba, Italian and Swahili and English.
- 7/ Hakeem Kae-Kazim
Actor of Hollywood, Kazeem was born a British actor of Nigerian origin. He was born the State of Lagos and is native of the State of Ogun.
Movie: Hotel Rwandan, X-Men Origins, Wolverine, Pirates of the Caribbean,
TV series: the series24, and Criminal Minds
- 8/ Chamillionaire
Chamillionaire, whose real name is Hakeem Seriki, was born on 28 November 1979 in Houston, Texas, and is an American rapper. The rapper and entrepreneur of 31 years said his father is originally from Lagos, Nigeria.
- 9/ Wale (Nigeria – Yoruba people)
In his real name, Olubowale Victor Akintimehin, the American rapper was born on September 21, 1984 in Washington. His parents are Yoruba of the State of Ogun.
Rapper Wale grew up in the United States. It is very popular in the United States as in its home country. And? He has made musical collaborations with singers like Wizkid and Olamide.
- 10/ Tyler the creator
Tyler, The Creator, whose real name is Tyler Okonma, was born on March 6, 1991 in Los Angeles, California. His father is a Nigerian and his Canadian mother.
- 11/Ashley Madekwe
British actress Ashley Madekwe was born in London to a Nigerian father and an English mother.
Series: Revenge and Salem.
- 12/Tracy Ifeachor
Tracy is a British and Nigerian actress.
Movie: Doctor Who Christmas Special, The End of Time
Series: The originals, Quantico, Crossbones.
- 13/Nnamdi Asomugha Nigeria – Igbo people)
Le footballeur américain Nnamdi Asomugha est né le 6 juillet 1981 à Lafayette en Louisiane. Ses parents sont Igbo du Nigeria. Il est le mari de l’actrice Kerry Washington.American footballer Nnamdi Asomugha was born on 6 July 1981 in Lafayette, Louisiana. His parents are Igbo from Nigeria. He is the husband of the actress Kerry Washington.
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- 14/ Adetomiwa Edun (Nigeria – Yoruba people)
British actor Adetomiwa Edun was born in 1984 to a Nigerian father of the Yoruba tribe and a Ghanaian and English mother.
Film: Slaves, Law & Order (UK), The Hour, Passengers (UK)
Series: Merlin
He speaks French, English and Yoruba
- 15/ Uzo Aduba (Nigeria – Igbo people)
American actress Uzoamaka Nwaneka Aduba known as Uzo Aduba was born on February 10, 1981 in Boston, Massachusetts. She is known for playing in the series “Orange Is the New Black.” These parents are Nigerians of Igbo origin.
- 16/Tinie Tempah (Nigeria – Igbo people)
Patrick Chukwuemeka Okogwu best known by his stage name Tinie Tempah, is an English rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer.
Tempah was born in London on November 7, 1988 to Nigeria’s Igbo parents. Wizkid is currently signed on its management label, Disturbing London.
- 17/ Dayo Okeniyi
Dayo Okeniyi was born and raised in Lagos. He moved with his family to the United States. He is a Nigerian-American actor.
Film: “The Hunger Games” and “Terminator Genisys”
- 18/ Caroline Chikezie
Caroline Chikezie is a British actress born in London on 19 February 1974. Her parents are Nigerian.
Film and series: Holby City, Casualty, Babymother, As If, Judas Kiss, Free Fall, Torchwood, Cyberwoman, Supernatural and Brothers and Sisters.
- 19/ Nonso Anozie
Nonso Anozie is an English actor born on May 28, 1979 in London in the United Kingdom. His parents are of Nigerian origin.
Series: Game of Thrones and Dracula.
- 20/ Hope Olaide Wilson
Actress Hope Olaide Wilson was born on 16 August 1985 in the United Kingdom. His parents are from the Yoruba tribe of Nigeria.
Film: Tyler Perry’s movies ‘I Can Do Bad All by Myself’, ‘After the Dark and Faith & Dreams’
Language: She speaks English, French and Yoruba.
- 21/ Richard Ayoade
Richard Ayoade is a British actor born to a Nigerian father and a Norwegian mother. Actor and writer has written several award-winning theater plays in the UK.
- 22/ Carmen Elizabeth Ejogo
British actress Carmen Elizabeth Ejogo was born in London in 1973 to a Nigerian father and a Scottish mother.
Film and series: What’s the Worst That Could Happen ?, Anarchy and Selma.
- 23/ John Boyega
John is a British actor born in London to Nigerian parents.
Movie: Attack the Block, Star Wars.
- 24/ Adepero Oduye
American actress Adepero Oduye is an actress of Nigerian descent.
Film and series: 12 Years A Slave, Pariah, Law & Orderamongst
- 25/ Sophie Okonedo
Born of a Nigerian father and a Jewish mother, Sophie Okonedo is a British actress and singer.
Movie: Æon Flux, Mrs. Mandela, Skin
- 26/ Toks Olagundoye
Born in Lagos of a Norwegian mother and a Nigerian father, Toks Olagundoye is known for her role as Jackie Joyner-Kersee in the television series “The Neighbors”.
- 27/ Olurotimi Akinosho
Rotimi was born in New Jersey to Nigerian parents.
Film: Divergent, Black Nativity, Imperial Dreams.
Series: Power
- 28/ Donald Faison
Donald Faison Adeosun is an American actor, comedian and actor. His parents are Yoruba in Nigeria.
He is known for his role as Dr. Chris Turk in the ABC drama comedy Scrubs, and a minor role as Murray in the movie Clueless. He is the elder brother of the actor Olamide Faison. His parents were active with the National Black Theater in Harlem.
- 29/ Olamide Faison
Olamide Aladejobi Alexander Faison is an American actor. His parents are Yoruba in Nigeria. He is the elder brother of the actor Donald Faison
He plays Miles Robinson on Sesame Street’s children’s television show. Olamide is Donald Faison’s younger brother.
- 30/ Jidenna
Jidenna Theodore Mobisson, known professionally as Jidenna, is a Nigerian-American singer signed at Wondaland Records.
His father is Nigerian Igbo. Jidenna grew up partly in Nigeria, where her father was a professor of computer science at Enugu State University. The name Jidenna in the Igbo language means “embrace the father.”
My father, when I was younger, told me that if I wanted to make music, I had to make sure it was something that meant something for the whole world and definitely for Nigeria, America; The two places I come from. So to come back and be able to show the music here, and really give exclusive looks in the recordings that nobody else has heard, I think he’ll be proud of what he was still alive “.
- 31/T.D Jakes – (Nigeria – Igbo people)
He is a well-known American personality in the community. He is the head of the church “The Potter’s House. “
In 2006, he participated in the program “African American lives” organized by Rick Kittle. He underwent DNA testing. Results of the test: 100% black from sub-Saharan Africa. Among the 9 people on the show, TD Jakes was one of the only ones to correctly guess his African ancestry.
His ancestors come from the Igbo people in southeastern Nigeria. He is also from the Igbo people, in Nigeria by his maternal grandmother.
- 32/ Jim Brown – Nigeria
Jim Brown is a former American football player (Fullback post). He is also an actor. He was selected in 6th place at the 1957 Draft. He is considered one of the biggest athletes in the USA. His origins come from Nigeria.
- 33/Glenda Hatchett « Judge Hatchett » (Nigeria)
Glenda Hatchett is an American actress. She is the star of the court show, “Judge Hatchett. “
Glenda Hatchett did a DNA test. The results show that she is from the Yoruba and Haoussa tribe of Nigeria
Judge Hatchett is a television series, based on the court of justice. The series is well known in the US It lasted 9 seasons (2000-2008)
- 34/ Malcom David Kelley (Nigeria)
He is an American comedian, actor and singer. Its origins come from Nigeria.
Film: he is best known for playing the role of Walt Lloyd in the series Lost “the missing”
- 35/ Russ Parr – Nigeria
Russ Parr is a leading talk show host with his show “Russ By Morning Show”. Indeed, it is a radio presenter, dj, actor, record labels owner. Russ Parr shares his genetic ancestry with people in Nigeria
Its radio program in the USA has reached more than 3.2 million listeners. He has a natural talent in comedy. Satire and mimicry are major assets in him. He made the satire of Michael Jackson, Magic Johnson, Jesse Jackson, Mickey Mouse.
- 36/ Omarosa Marigault – (Nigeria, Yoruba people)
Omarosa Manigault is a former political consultant who worked for Vice President Al Gore during the Clinton administration. More precisely, she was Minister for Donald Trump. She has worked as a missionary all over the world for 5 years. For example, it has helped Haitians and the homeless. She has appeared on several Celebrity Apprentice, All-Stars TV shows.
Its African origins are Yoruba, Nigeria.
Omaraso explains to a journalist:
My full name is Omorosaonee, it’s a Yoruba name that means “my beautiful desired child. My father’s family is Nigerian my mother is American. I recognize where I come from and my lineage. I mean you look at my cheekbones, you look at my fierce fighting spirit and attitude, you know exactly where I am native. I went to Nigeria three years ago and went through the press about three weeks ago and helped launch Africa Apprentice. It was very exciting. “
Film and series: the apprentice.
- 37/ Hill Harper – Nigeria & Ghana
Hill Harper is an American actor who does DNA testing. Its origins are in Nigeria and Ghana.
Film and series: Soul Food, Beloved, He got a game, etc.
- 38/ Sybil Wilkes (Nigeria)
She is co-presenter of the Tom Joyner Morning Show. She is one of the animators of the popular “Tom Joyner Morning Show. She is from Nigeria.
- 39/ Dick Gregory (Nigeria & Bioko Island)
He is an actor, civil rights activist, social critic and American entrepreneur. Its roots come from Nigeria and the island of Bioko.
Film: Dick Gregory is very popular in the US He used his comic gift to convey his political messages on civil rights. His satire changed the perception of Americans of European origin about African-American comedians.
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What do you think ?
Most Black people in America have some degree of Nigerian ancestry.
Nigerians are the prevalent group. They have strong genetics in every black race. However, many Americans originate in other western African countries like Ghana, Cameroon, Libera & Sierra Leon. Again with very little Nigerian DNA.
Where is David Oyelowo?
Wow, I suspect this is why we were called ni@@ers, as most slaves were from Nigeria?