Cynthia Okereke (April 20, 1960 – July 11, 2023) was a Nigerian actress and film producer who starred in "Katakata" (2021), "Osuofia in London" (2003), and "Idemili" (2014). She died on July 11, 2023.
Career.
Okereke began her acting career in the late 1990s and gained prominence with her role in the television series "Ripples". She went on to appear in Nollywood films, often portraying motherly characters and matriarchal figures. Some of her notable films include "Reggae Boys", "Osuofia in London", and "Second Burial, Nwando, A Fool At 40" and "Katakata".
She was a member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Enugu Chapter, and was respected as one of the veteran actresses contributing to the growth of Nollywood.
Kidnap incident.
In July 2022, Okereke and fellow actor Clemson Cornel were kidnapped in Enugu State while returning from a movie location. The kidnappers reportedly demanded a ransom of $100,000. Both actors were released unharmed a few days later, after what the Actors Guild of Nigeria described as “efforts by security forces and support from the film community”.
Death.
Okereke died on 11 July 2023. Her death was confirmed by the Actors Guild of Nigeria, which noted that she died while sleeping. The president of the AGN, Emeka Rollas, mourned her passing and described her as a "dedicated, committed, and hardworking actress".