Van Vicker
{{Short description|Ghanaian actor and director}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Joseph van Vicker
| image = File:Van_Vicker_(Cropped).jpg
| caption = Van Vicker in 2016
| birth_name = Joseph van Vicker
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1977|8|1|df=y}}
| birth_place = Accra, Ghana
| death_date =
| alma mater = African University College of Communications
| occupation = Film and television actor
| awards = {{ubl|2009 Afro-Hollywood Award|2011 Pan African Film Festival|2012 Nafca|2013 Ghana movie awards|Pyprus Magazine Screen Actors Awards |KumaWood Awards 2016}}
| website = {{URL|http://www.vanvicker.org}}
| yearsactive = 2000–present
}}
Joseph van Vicker (born 1 August 1977),{{cite web|url= https://www.theafricandream.net/iconic-ghanaian-actor-philanthropist-kicks-off-the-van-vicker-43rd-birthday-global-giveaway/|title=birthday|website=Theafricandream.net|date=25 July 2020|access-date=25 July 2020}} better known as Van Vicker, is a Ghanaian actor, film director and humanitarian. He is the chief executive officer of Sky + Orange production, a film production house. Van Vicker received two nominations for "Best Actor in a Leading Role" and "Best Upcoming Actor" at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2008.{{cite web|url=http://www.screenafrica.com/news/industry/363428.htm|title=Africa Movie Academy Awards' nominees take a bow in Josies|access-date=23 October 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100208181413/http://www.screenafrica.com/news/industry/363428.htm|archive-date=8 February 2010|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://ama-awards.com/amaa-nominees-and-winners-2008|title=AMAA Nominees and Winners 2008|publisher=Africa Movie Academy Award|access-date=7 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110405090514/http://www.ama-awards.com/amaa-nominees-and-winners-2008|archive-date=5 April 2011|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}
Early life
Vicker was born in Accra, Ghana to a Ghanaian mother{{cite web|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/200904200343.html|title=Nigeria: Growing Up Without a Father Made Me Tough- Van Vicker|website=Allafrica.com|access-date=28 November 2021}} and a Dutch father.{{cite news|url=http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/showpiece/2010/jan/31/showpiece-31-01-2010-001.htm|title=My life, my story, my wife— Van Vicker|last=Olatunji|first=Samuel|date=21 January 2010|work=The Daily Sun|access-date=7 March 2011|location=Lagos, Nigeria}}{{cite web|url=http://www.vanvickerlive.com/biography.asp|title=Van's Biography|website=Vanvicker.com|access-date=7 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090328190457/http://www.vanvickerlive.com/biography.asp|archive-date=28 March 2009}}{{cite web|url=http://www.belmizikfm.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=14%3Avanvicker&Itemid=430|title=Van Vicker (the well-known African actor) in Boston|date=6 May 2009|website=Belmizikfm.com|access-date=7 March 2011|location=Massachusetts, USA}} His father died when he was six years old.
Vicker attended Mfantsipim School,{{cite web|title=Van Vicker|url=http://www.ghanacelebrities.com/van-vicker/|publisher=.ghanacelebrities.com|access-date=22 February 2015}} along with fellow actor Majid Michel. He graduated from the African University College of Communications in 2021.{{Cite web|date=2021-07-26|title=Van Vicker finally graduates from university after 24 years|url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/celebrities/van-vicker-finally-graduates-from-uni-after-24-years/f5smxq6|access-date=2021-07-27|website=Pulse Nigeria|language=en}}
Personal life
Vicker married Adjoa on 16 October 2003. When they celebrated their 21st wedding anniversary, he thanked God and also praised his wife for always being by his side.{{Cite web |last=Mends |first=Reagan |date=2024-10-16 |title=Van Vicker and wife celebrate 21st Wedding anniversary |url=https://ghanaweekend.com/2024/10/16/van-vicker-and-wife-celebrate-21st-wedding-anniversary/ |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=Ghana Weekend |language=en-US}}
Career
=Television=
Vicker started out in the entertainment world in radio as a presenter at Groove 106.3 fm (1999–2000) and Vibe 91.9fm (2001–2004) and as a television personality for TV3 Ghana (1997–1999) & Metro TV (2000–2004), Vicker appeared in the Ghanaian television series Sun city, which depicted university life. He played the character of LeRoy King Jr., a Fine Arts student born in the U.S. who arrives at Sun City to complete his education. The series ran for a total of 10 episodes.{{cite news|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201001190212.html|title=Van Vicker - Exploits of a Ghanaian in Nollywood|date=15 January 2010|work=AllAfrica.com|publisher=AllAfrica Global Media|access-date=7 March 2011}}
=Film=
Soon, Vicker was cast in his first film Divine Love as a supporting character. This film coincidentally, was also the debut roles for fellow actors Jackie Appiah and Majid Michel who were cast as the female and male lead respectively.{{cite web|title="If I Was Here There Would Be No Majid"…. Van Vicker|date = 30 November 2001|url=http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/entertainment/artikel.php?ID=215868|publisher=ghanaweb.com|access-date=22 February 2015}}
Vicker is usually cast as the male romantic lead, often alongside actresses Jackie Appiah and Nadia Buari. He is often compared to fellow Ghanaian actor Majid Michel and Nigerian Ramsey Nouah.
=Nollywood breakthrough=
Vicker has appeared in numerous Nollywood films alongside prominent Nollywood actors, including Tonto Dikeh, Mercy Johnson, Stephanie Okereke, Chika Ike and Jim Iyke. His Nollywood movies include; My Soul Mate, Heart of Fire, Popular King, Gambling with Marriage, Harvest of Love, Stolen Will, The Joy of a Prince, Discovered, The Kingdom and Against the law.
=International success=
File:John K-ay, Prema Smith and Van Vicker on set during the production of Cop's Enemy.jpg and John K-ay]]
Vicker has directed, starred in, and produced five films under his Sky + Orange Productions since 2008. 2012 was the biggest year for his production house, earning him the NAFCA Best Actor and Director Awards for his comedy movie, Joni Waka.{{cite web|title=Van Vicker Wins NAFCA Best Comedy Award|url=http://showbiz.peacefmonline.com/pages/movies/201210/138235.php|website=Showbiz.peacefmonline.com|access-date=22 February 2015}}
Vicker has been nominated for and won numerous awards from Africa to the Caribbean. Awards include Ghana Movie Awards, ACRAG awards and the Nollywood Academy Films Critics’ Awards. In 2009, he won the Best African Caribbean Actor and Best Actor African American and in 2011, he won the Pan African creative actor.{{cite web|title=Van Vicker stays Winning!|url=http://omgghana.com/van-vicker-stays-winning/|website=Omgghana.com|access-date=22 February 2015}} In 2013, he won the Best International Actor award at the Papyrus Magazine Screen Actors Awards (PAMSAA) 2013, which was held in Abuja, Nigeria.{{cite web|title=Van Vicker wins Best International Actor at PAMSAA 2013|url=http://www.nigeriamovienetwork.com/articles/read-van-vicker-wins-best-international-actor-at-pamsaa-2013_782.html|website=Nigeriamovienetwork.com|access-date=22 February 2015}}
Awards and nominations
Filmography
| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;"
! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Year ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Film ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Role ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Notes |
| 2004
| Divine Love | |with Majid Michel & Jackie Aygemang |
| rowspan="4"|2006
| Beyonce: The President's Daughter |Raj |with Nadia Buari & Jackie Aygemang |
| CK/Charles
| Darkness of Sorrow |CK (Charles) |with Nadia Buari |
| Mummy's Daughter
| |with Nadia Buari & Jackie Aygemang & Okediji Alexandra |
| The Return of Beyonce
|Raj |with Nadia Buari & Jackie Aygemang |
| rowspan="8"| 2007
| American Boy |"Nelly" |with Nadia Buari |
| I Hate Women
| Rocky |with Jackie Aygemang |
| Innocent Soul
| | |
| In the Eyes of My Husband
| Leo |with Nadia Buari |
| Princess Tyra
|Kay |with Jackie Aygemang, Yvonne Nelson |
| Royal Battle
|Lawrence |with Majid Michel & Jackie Aygemang |
| Slave to Lust
| |with Nadia Buari, Ini Edo, Mike Ezuruonye & Olu Jacobs |
| Wedlock of the Gods
| | |
| rowspan="6"| 2008
| Broken Tears |Ben |with Genevieve Nnaji & Kate Henshaw-Nuttal |
| Corporate Maid
| Desmond | |
| Friday Night
| | |
| Jealous Princess
| Sam |with Chika Ike & Oge Okoye |
| River of Tears
| Ben |with Genevieve Nnaji & Kate Henshaw-Nuttal |
| Total Love
|Nick{{citation needed|date=July 2017}} |with Jackie Aygemang |
| rowspan="2"| 2009
| Twilight Sisters |Micky |with Oge Okoye |
| Royal War
| Uzodimma |with Ini Edo, Rachael Okonkwo |
| 2009
|Beyond Conspiracy{{Cite web|url=http://www.vanvickerofficial.com/movies/|title=Van Vicker|website=Van Vicker|language=en-US|access-date=23 April 2016}} |Michael | |
| 2010
| | |
| 2010
|Michael | |
| 2010
|Kingdom in Flames{{Cite web|url=http://www.vanvickerofficial.com/movies/|title=Movies|website=Van Vicker|language=en-US|access-date=23 April 2016}} | | |
| 2010
|Mind Game |Richie | |
| rowspan="1"| 2011
| Rich | |
| rowspan="1"| 2013
| Tony |
| rowspan="1"| 2014
|The Heart Breaker's Revenge | Dalyboy |with Dalyboy Belgason, Brittany Mayti, Sarodj Bertin |
| rowspan="1"| 2016
| Skinned | Robert/ Bobby |with LisaRaye McCoy, Jasmine Burke |
| 2017
|Cop's Enemy |Christopher "Shadow" Ifechi | |
| Pending
|Day After Death | |with Wema Sepetu |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://vanvickerofficial.com}}
- {{IMDb name|id=2647824|name=Joseph van Vicker}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vicker, Van}}
Category:Mfantsipim School alumni
Category:Dutch male film actors
Category:Liberian male film actors
Category:Ghanaian male film actors
Category:Ghanaian people of Liberian descent
Category:Ghanaian people of Dutch descent