:Francis Odega
{{short description|Nigerian comic actor}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Francis Odega
| image =
| image_size =
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| birth_name =
| birth_date = 1970
| birth_place = Aniocha North, Delta State, Nigeria
| alma_mater = Ambrose Alli University
| occupation = {{flatlist|
| years_active = 1996–present
| known_for = comic roles and viral video clips
| spouse = Chibuzor Ogega(m.2006)
| website =
}}
Francis Odega {{Audio|Ig-francis_odega.ogg|listen|help=no}} is a Nigerian comic actor{{Cite web |last=Adeneyo |first=Apegg |date=2019-05-01 |title=How Actor Francis Odega beat our mother and sent us packing - daughter |url=https://www.kemifilani.ng/news/francis-odega-accused-by-daughter-of-beating-their-mother-and-sending-them-packing |access-date=2022-03-12 |website=Kemi Filani News |language=en-GB}} best known for a comedic video clip of him that went viral and circulated on the Internet. It brought him to the limelight as he secured endorsement deals and recognition from foreign celebrities, such as 50 cent, who Odega claimed followed him on Instagram {{cite web|last1=Showemimo|first1=Adedayo|title=50 Cent shares viral ‘Gerrara here’ video by Nigerian comedian, Francis Odega|url=https://thenet.ng/50-cent-shares-viral-gerrara-here-video-by-nigerian-comedian-francis-odega/|website=thenet.ng|publisher=NET}}
Education and career
Francis holds a bachelor's degree in Economics after graduating from Ambrose Alli University. He is one of the pioneering comedians of the popular Night Of A Thousand Laughs comedy show.{{cite news|url=https://thenet.ng/gerrara-here-5-facts-you-should-know-about-francis-odega/|title=‘Gerrara Here’! 5 facts you should know about Francis Odega|work=Nigeria Entertainment Today|last=Showemimo|first=Adedayo|date=2015-08-21|access-date=2015-11-11|archive-date=2016-11-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161110023951/http://www.thenet.ng/2015/08/gerrara-here-5-facts-you-should-know-about-francis-odega/|url-status=live}} In 2013, Francis won the "Best Actor" award alongside Hlomla Dandala in the "Best African Collaboration" category at the 2013 Ghana Movie Awards.{{cite news|url=http://mobile.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=296591|title=2013 Ghana Movie Awards winners emerge|work=Ghana Web|date=2013-12-31|accessdate=2015-11-11}} Francis came into the limelight after a scene from the movie series Back From South Africa hit the internet with notable people like 50 Cent and Tinie Tempah sharing the video clip of the scene on Instagram. The scene captures him comically speaking in an American accent.{{cite news|url=http://www.expressng.com/2015/08/gerrara-here-quick-facts-you-should-know-about-francis-odega-the-man-behind-viral-clip-2/|title=Gerrara Here! Quick Facts You Should Know About Francis Odega, The Man Behind Viral Clip|work=Entertainment Express|last=Shola|first=Ayeotan|date=2015-08-23|accessdate=2015-11-11}}
Selected filmography
=Films=
- Domitilla (1996) as Receptionist
- Osuofia in London (2003) as Obiekwe
- Baby Police (2003) as Brutus
- Evil Woman (2003)
- Buried Alive (2003)
- Holy Cup (2003)
- Akpu Nku (2003)
- Force on the Run (2004)
- Royal Messengers (2006)
- Emotional Blunder (2006)
- Chicken Madness (2006)
- Under The Sky (2006)
- Royal Messenger (2006)
- Store Keeper (2006)
- Bird Flu (2007) as Johnbull
- My Last Wedding (2009) as Talambe
- Village Rascals (2012)
- House of Gold (2013) John Bosco
- The Perfect Plan (2014) as Ololo
- Desperate Sisters (2015) as Bobo
- ATM (2016) as Gbenga
- Celebrity Marriage (2017) as Emeka
- Marry Max Again (2018)
- Sade Takes Lagos (2019) as Bassey
- It's a Crazy World (2020) as China
- How You Wan Die (2021) as Paulo
- Ikemba (2022)
- The Trade (2023) as Lawrence
- The Suyis (2024) as Ozo
- Sword of God (2024) as Sam
=Soaps=
- Clinic Matters
Endorsement
After the video clip went viral, Francis signed an endorsement deal with telecommunications company Etisalat as its brand ambassador.{{cite news|url=http://www.bellanaija.com/2015/09/01/from-gerrarra-here-mehn-to-big-bucks-francis-odega-grabs-etisalat-deal/|title=From Gerrarra Here Mehn to Big Bucks! Francis Odega grabs Etisalat Deal|work=BellaNaija|date=2015-09-01|accessdate=2015-11-11}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|nm2133251|Francis Odega}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Odega, Francis}}
Category:Male actors from Delta State
Category:Ambrose Alli University alumni
Category:Nigerian male film actors
Category:20th-century Nigerian male actors
Category:21st-century Nigerian male actors
Category:Nigerian male comedians
Category:Nigerian male television actors
Category:Nigerian media personalities
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