Tope Tedela
{{Short description|Nigerian actor (born 1990)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{Use Nigerian English|date=October 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Tope Tedela
| image = Faces at AMVCA 2020 42.jpg
| caption = Tedela at the 2020 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards
| birth_name = Temitope Christopher Tedela
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1990|06|05|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Lagos, Nigeria
| education = University of Lagos
| children =
| known_for = King Invincible, Twisted, Torn, Awakening, Cyanide, Birthday Bash, Leeway, Apostates, Out of Luck
| occupation = {{flatlist|
- Producer
- Actor}}
| yearsactive = 2006–present
| awards = {{bulleted list
|Most Promising Actor at 10th Africa Movie Academy Awards
|Best Actor In A Drama at 2014 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards
Best |Actor in a Leading Role (English) at 2014 Best of Nollywood Awards
}}
}}
Temitope Christopher Tedela {{Audio|Yo-Temitope Christopher Tedela.ogg|Listen|help=no}} (born 5 June 1990) is a Nigerian actor and producer.{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4754127/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm|title=Tope Tedela profile at|publisher=imdb.com|access-date= 23 April 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.premiumtimesng.com/arts-entertainment/156799-africa-magic-award-winning-actor-tope-tedela-denies-receiving-payment-role.html|title=Tope Tedela denies not receiving Payments|date=15 March 2014|publisher=premuimtimes.com|access-date=23 April 2014}}
He has received several awards for his work including Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Award, Nigeria Entertainment Award, Best of Nollywood Award and Nollywood Movies Award.{{Cite web |last=Blueprint |date=25 July 2014 |title=I'm trying to be responsible with girls – Tope Tedela |url=https://www.blueprint.ng/im-trying-to-be-responsible-with-girls-tope-tedela/ |access-date=12 March 2022 |website=Blueprint Newspapers Limited |language=en-US}}
Tedela's work has been screened at international film festivals including Cannes Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival and BFI London Film Festival. His body of work includes Blood Sisters (2022), Country Hard (2021), The Lost Okoroshi (2019), What Lies Within (2017), Slow Country (2017), Ojukokoro (2017), Suru L'ere (2016), A Soldier's Story (2015) and A Mile from Home which earned him several awards.
Early life and education
Temitope Christopher Tedela, the first of four children, was born in Lagos, Nigeria on 5 June 1990.{{cite news|last1=Abimboye|first1=Michael|title=EXCLUSIVE: Tope Tedela Squashes Rumour of Not Being Paid for Award-winning Role|url=http://connectnigeria.com/articles/2014/03/14/exclusive-tope-tedela-squashes-rumour-of-not-being-paid-for-award-winning-role/}} He is of descent from Ekiti State.{{cite web|url=http://www.news247.com.ng/news/amvca-winning-actor-tope-tedela-nominated-at-amaa-2014#.U1ejZvldVAE|title=Tope Tedela nominated for AMAA Awards|publisher=news247.com.ng|access-date=23 April 2014}} He attended Lagos State Model College, Meiran, Lagos for his secondary education and earned a degree in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos.{{cite news|last1=Okeugo|first1=Peter|title=My parents almost dumped me in remand home – Tope Tedela|url=http://www.punchng.com/spice/entertainment-spice/my-parents-almost-dumped-me-in-remand-home-tope-tedela/|date=23 June 2014|access-date=16 July 2014|archive-date=13 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140713112025/http://www.punchng.com/spice/entertainment-spice/my-parents-almost-dumped-me-in-remand-home-tope-tedela/|url-status=dead}}
Career
While studying at the University of Lagos, Tedela was cast in his screen debut as Julian in the family TV Series Edge of Paradise.{{cite web|last1=Agbanusi|first1=Nneka|title="Hollywood Should Expect Me Soon" – Tope Tedela|url=http://www.happenings9ja.com/happenings/posts/entertainment-lifestyle/music-movies/Hollywood-Should-Expect-Me-Soon-Tope-Tedela|website=happenings9ja.com|access-date=26 October 2014|archive-date=26 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026230915/http://www.happenings9ja.com/happenings/posts/entertainment-lifestyle/music-movies/Hollywood-Should-Expect-Me-Soon-Tope-Tedela|url-status=dead}} He stopped acting for a while to concentrate on his studies; while in school and shortly after graduation, Tedela worked as an on-air personality at UNILAG FM.{{cite news|last1=Obioha|first1=Vanessa|title=A Good Headstart|url=http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/a-good-headstart/182833/|publisher=This Day|date=6 July 2014|access-date=16 July 2014|archive-date=7 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140707204653/http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/a-good-headstart/182833/|url-status=dead}} He made a return to star as Lala in his first leading role in the feature film A Mile from Home, gaining prominence through the role.{{cite web|url=http://africamagic.dstv.com/2014/03/24/jara-tope-tedela-interview|title=Tope Tedela Interview on Jara | publisher=africamagic.dstv.com | access-date=23 April 2014}}{{cite news |last=Abodunrin |first=Akintayo |title=South African, Ghanaian Films Set To Shine At AMAA 2014 |url=http://www.tribune.com.ng/arts-culture/item/2755-south-african-ghanaian-films-set-to-shine-at-amaa-2014/2755-south-african-ghanaian-films-set-to-shine-at-amaa-2014 |newspaper=Nigerian Tribune}} At one time, Tedela was a news anchor at the NTA. He acted in several notable stage performances.{{cite web|url=http://ynaija.com/teen/teen-y-exclusive-amvca-winner-tope-tedela-confesses-that-he-was-remanded-in-custody-once-more-in-this-sizzling-interview|title=Tope Tedela interview on YNaija|publisher=ynaija.com|access-date=23 April 2014|archive-date=28 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140428010355/http://ynaija.com/teen/teen-y-exclusive-amvca-winner-tope-tedela-confesses-that-he-was-remanded-in-custody-once-more-in-this-sizzling-interview/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://thenet.ng/amvca-best-actor-tope-tedela-was-not-paid-for-award-winning-role/|title=Tope Tedela not paid for award-winning role|publisher=thenet.ng|access-date=23 April 2014}}
In 2015, Tedela starred in A Soldier's Story and Out of Luck. Tedela's role as metrosexual Kyle Stevens-Adedoyin in the 2016 comedy film Suru L'ere earned him many rave reviews.{{Cite news|url=http://happenings.com.ng/movie-review-suru-lere-a-story-left-untold/|title=Movie Review: 'Suru L'ere' – A Story Left Untold! – Online Entertainment and Lifestyle Magazine in Nigeria|date=19 February 2016|work=Online Entertainment and Lifestyle Magazine in Nigeria|access-date=22 December 2017|language=en-US|archive-date=1 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201131657/https://happenings.com.ng/movie-review-suru-lere-a-story-left-untold/|url-status=dead}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.pulse.ng/movies/tope-tedela-actor-is-kyle-stevens-adedoyin-in-upcoming-movie-surulere-id3922517.html|title=Tope Tedela: Actor is "Kyle Stevens Adedoyin" in upcoming movie "Surulere"|last=Izuzu|first=Chidumga|access-date=22 December 2017|language=en-US}}
Tedela starred in these well-received films in 2017: the epic King Invincible, the comedy-crime/heist film Ojukokoro and the action-drama Slow Country.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2017/04/majid-michel-ivie-okujaiye-egboh-tope-tedela-more-star-in-eric-aghimiens-slow-country-watch-the-traile|title=Majid Michel, Ivie Okujaye Egboh, Tope Tedela & More star in Eric Aghimien's "Slow Country" {{!}} Watch the Trailer on BN TV – BellaNaija|website=www.bellanaija.com|date=29 April 2017|language=en-US|access-date=22 December 2017}} He made his producing debut with the drama thriller film What Lies Within.{{Cite news|url=http://www.pulse.ng/movies/tope-tedela-actor-produces-1st-movie-what-lies-within-id5074520.html|title=Tope Tedela: Actor produces 1st movie "What Lies Within"|last=Izuzu|first=Chidumga|access-date=22 December 2017|language=en-US}}
In 2018, Tedela appeared in the crime film, Knock Out Blessing.
In 2019, he starred as researcher Dr Dauda in The Lost Okoroshi which had its world premiere at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival and received mostly positive reviews.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/lost-okoroshi-1240868|title = 'The Lost Okoroshi': Film Review | TIFF 2019|website = The Hollywood Reporter|date = 18 September 2019}} He also began work on his one-man play Whumanizer.{{Cite web|url=https://thelagosreview.ng/tope-tedela-is-all-shades-of-amazing-in-whumanizer-toni-kan/|title = Tope Tedela's "Whumanizer" for Lagos Theater Festival 2020 - Toni Kan|date = 16 February 2020}} Tedela also starred in the gripping drama film, The Ghost and the House of Truth.{{Cite web|url=https://ynaija.com/the-quiet-devastating-power-of-akin-omotosos-the-ghost-and-the-house-of-truth/|title = The quiet, devastating power of Akin Omotoso's the Ghost and the House of Truth » YNaija|date = 8 December 2019}}
In 2020, Tedela was cast in Netflix's first Nigerian original series helmed by award-winning director Akin Omotoso.{{Cite web|url=https://www.blackfilm.com/read/2020/02/netflix-orders-first-nigerian-original-from-director-akin-omotoso/|title=Netflix Orders First Nigerian Original from Director Akin Omotoso|date=27 February 2020}}
In 2022, he portrayed Dr Adeboye/The Good Doctor in the Netflix original series Blood Sisters.
Other work
In 2016, Tedela was named an ambassador by Global Rights, an international human rights organization to start a campaign to end sexual violence in the country.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2016/09/ego-boyo-aramide-tope-tedela-bose-oshin-and-more-celebrities-team-up-with-global-rights-to-end-sexual-violence/|title = Ego Boyo, Aramide, Tope Tedela, Bose Oshin and More Celebrities Team up with Global Rights to End Sexual Violence|date = 17 September 2016}}
Awards and nominations
Filmography
=Film=
| class = "wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class = "unsortable" | Notes !Ref |
|---|
| 2003
| | | |
| 2007
| Twisted | Sola | with Joan Agabi | |
| rowspan="4" | 2013
| | with O. C. Ukeje | |
| Torn
| Young Olumide | with Monalisa Chinda | |
| A Mile from Home
| Lala/Jude Odaro |with Joan Agabi | |
| Cyanide
| Emeka | Short Film | |
| rowspan="3" | 2014
| Another Day to Die Young | Comrade | TV film | |
| Birthday Bash
| Scoda |with Yul Edochie | |
| Leeway
| Chuks | Short Film | |
| rowspan="4" | 2015
| Deji | with Omoni Oboli & Dakore Akande | |
| Apostates
| Osas | | |
| A Soldier's Story
| Major Egan | with Daniel K. Daniel | |
| Out of Luck
| Dayo | with Adesua Etomi | |
| rowspan=2|2016
| Kyle Stevens Adedoyin | with Rita Dominic | |
| Ojukokoro (Greed)
| Sunday | with Wale Ojo |Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/HZ6ItZNKQO0 Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20170716011923/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZ6ItZNKQO0 Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite AV media| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZ6ItZNKQO0| title = OJUKOKORO (GREED) TRAILER MARCH 17TH! | website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}{{Cite web|date=10 March 2017|title=Tope Tedela, Seun Ajayi, Beverly Naya attend "Ojukokoro" premiere|url=http://pulse.ng/movies/nolly-thursdays-tope-tedela-seun-ajayi-beverly-naya-attend-ojukokoro-premiere-id6350800.html}} |
| rowspan="4" |2017
| | | |
| King Invincible
| Taari | with Gabriel Afolayan | |
| Slow Country
| Osas | with Majid Michel | |
| What Lies Within
| Gboyega | also Producer |
| 2018
| Yomi | directed by Dare Olaitan | |
| rowspan="2" |2019
| Dr. Dauda | with Seun Ajayi | |
| The Ghost and the House of Truth
| Barrister Tokunbo | with Kate Henshaw | |
| 2020
|Pastor T |with Rosemary Abazie | |
| rowspan="3" | 2021
|Rufus |with Rita Dominic and Toyin Abraham | |
| Country Hard
|Ochuko |with Kehinde Bankole and Timini Egbuson | |
| Ponzi
| | | |
| 2022
|Cake |Tomiwa Akinlolu |with Saskay, Patience Ozokwor | |
| 2023
| All the Colours of the World Are Between Black and White | Bambino |with Riyo David, Martha Ehinome |
| rowspan="3" |2024
|Shina |Ugo |with Linda Ejiofor, Timini Egbuson | |
| Silence
|Dapo Popoola |with Efa Iwara, Ade Laoye | |
| Casa de Novia
|Ancel |with Eso Dike, Chieke Donald | |
| 2025
| |with Joseph Benjamin, Rita Dominic |
=Television=
| class = "wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! Notes |
|---|
| 2006
| Edge of Paradise | Julian | |
| rowspan="2" | 2008
| My Mum & I | June | |
| Super Story (Omojuwa)
| Tesiro | |
| rowspan="2" | 2012
| Burning Point | | |
| Tweeters
| Kunle | |
| 2013
| Super Story (The Secret) |Tai | |
| 2014
| Oreva | |
| 2015
| Efe | |
| 2016
| Jamestown | Lucky | |
| 2017
| Jemeji | Obi | Chief |
| rowspan="2" |2019
| Powder Dry | Arthur | |
| Underbelly
| Nonso | |
| 2022
| Dr Adeboye/The Good Doctor | A Netflix Original |
=Theatre=
| class = "wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class = "unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 2011
| Man Talk, Woman Talk | Emeka | |
| rowspan="2" | 2014
| Diagnosis | Emeka | |
| The Agency
| Fawaz | |
| rowspan="3" | 2019
| The Mistress of Wholesome | Nengak Josiah | |
| The Wives
| Lawyer | |
| Whumanizer
| Tunde Bridges | |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|id=nm4754127|name=Tope Tedela}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tedela, Tope}}
Category:Nigerian male film actors
Category:University of Lagos alumni
Category:Male actors from Lagos
Category:21st-century Nigerian male actors
Category:Nigerian radio personalities
Category:Yoruba radio personalities
Category:Nigerian male television actors
Category:Nigerian film producers
Category:Actors from Ekiti State