Pete Edochie is a Nigerian actor who began his career in a broadcasting corporation at age 20 before moving into the movie industry. However, Edochie came to limelight in the 1980s after playing a lead role, Okonkwo in a screen adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart.
Since then, Pete has featured in hundreds of movies and has been awarded both locally and internationally. He is even regarded as one of Africa’s greatest actors and was honored as Member of the Order of the Niger in 2003 by Olusegun Obasanjo.
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Pete Edochie Early Life
Pete Edochie was born on March 7, 1947 in Enugu, Nigeria. He hails from Anambra State, but was raised in Zaria, Kaduna. He began his primary education at St. Patrick’s and St. James Primary School, Zaria. And then proceeded to St. John’s College for secondary education. Subsequently, Edochie attended the School of Journalism and Television in England and also did some courses overseas.
After secondary school, before moving to England to study, Edochie worked with Nigerian Railway Corporation. Then after school, he got into broadcasting in 1967.
He began his career at 20 when he got into the broadcasting corporation. He started as a junior program assistant and rose to the position of director where he acted in different directorial capacities. However, he left the radio station and joined Nollywood because the government decided to politicise the affairs of the radio station.
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Acting Career
Pete already featured in Things fall apart, and had even won international award and recognition before his enrollment into Nollywood.
The first time he went on stage was in 1962 at age 15 when he was a student at St. John’s College. He featured in the drama; Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare.
Thereafter, Edochie came into limelight after playing a leading role, Okonkwo in the 1980s NTA adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart.
As a result, BBC came to Nigeria to interview him, and he also got some international recognition. Edochie has also gone on to feature in movies such as Oduduwa (2000), Battle Line (2002), Rejection Son (2003), Set Up, Lost Kingdom, e.t.c.
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Pete Personal Life
Pete got married to Josephine Edochie at age 22, and the union is blessed with six children: 5 boys and 1 girl. Two of his sons; Linc and Yul Edochie are popular because they are also professional actors in the industry.
Movie
He has starred in hundreds of movies, some of them include;
- Rituals, 1998
- Oracle, 1998
- Full Moon, 1998
- Narrow Escape, 1999
- Lost Kingdom, 1999
- Chain Reaction, 1999
- Oduduwa, 2000
- Set-Up, 2000
- Zoza, 2006
- Holy Ghost Fire, 2001
- Light and Darkness, 2001
- My Love, 2002
- Battle Line, 2002
- Egg of Life, 2003
- Above Death: In God We Trust, 2003
- Billionaires Club, 2003
- Love And Politics, 2003
- Super Love, 2003
- St. Michael, 2004
- Dog Meeting, 2004
- My Desire, 2004
- Private Affairs, 2004
- No More War, 2005
- The Tyrant, 2005
- Price of Ignorance, 2005
- Return of the Princess, 2005
- Speak the Word, 2006
- Simple Baby, 2006
- Broken Curse, 2006
- Divided Secret, 2006
- Fair Game, 2006
- Try & See, 2007
- Evil Agenda, 2007
- My Beloved Soon, 2007
- Sunny My Sun, 2007
- Greatest Harvest, 2007
- Tears of Sacrifice, 2007
- Tiger King, 2008
- Test Your Heart, 2008
- Naked Wrestler, 2008
- The Superstar, 2008
- Idemili, 2014
- Mummy Why, 2016
- Lion Heart, 2018
- Trials of Ma’Pe, 2018
- Night bus to Lagos, 2019
- Foreigners God, 2019
Pete Edochie Net Worth
According to Legit.ng, Edochie’s net worth is estimated at $3.8 million. Till date, Edochie has remained one of the most influential and richest actors in Nigeria.
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Pete Edochie Awards
Veteran Actor Edochie is an award-winning actor. He has received recognition both locally and internationally. For instance, he was inducted into the hall of fame in 2003 shortly before he was honored as a Member of the Order of Nigeria. His other awards include;
- Movie Personality of the Year, City People Magazine, 1999
- Best Actor in Africa, Censors’ Board, 2001
- Best Actor in Nigeria, Censors’ Board, 2003
- Member of the Order of the Niger, Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, 2003
- Special Recognition Award, Best of Nollywood (BON), along with Lanre Hassan (Iya Awero), Former Governor Emmanuel Udaghan, 2013
- Lifetime Achievement Award, Africa Movie Academy Awards, 2013
- Industry Merit Award, Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, 2014
- Life Impact Awards, Times Heroes Awards, 2017
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Pete Edochie Quotes
“Taking life easy and planning purposefully for everything makes life worth living as well as ageing gracefully.”
“A man who hangs around a beautiful girl without saying a word ends up fetching water for guests at her wedding.”
“A farmer who grows by the street and a man who has a beautiful woman have the same problem.”
“Stupidity is what we all have in common as human beings, but some people insist that improving it is their entitlement.”
“People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.”
“Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber.”
“Beware of the naked man who offers you clothes.”
“Your Chi has to be strong for you to be able to sustain a long-life span on some of these social networks.”
“Whenever you are feeling blue, remember the spirits of our ancestors are watching over us, and God cannot let you down.”
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Entrepreneurial Lessons From The Life Of Pete Edochie
Stick To Your Vision
Edochie is known for acting and overtime, he has motivated other professionals in the industry. No wonder, he was awarded a Member of the Order of Niger. Pete is a brilliant actor and has remained committed to his dreams.
Entrepreneurs should learn to stick to their business vision and stay true to it. By sticking to your vision and seeing it through, you will leave a legacy.
One of the attributes that have endeared the thespian actor to his viewers is the web of wisdom he displays through proverbs. Basically, he is referred to as King of African proverbs and plays his roles distinctively. Edochie could pass for a wicked King, loving King, and even a traditional king.
For entrepreneurs, our business brands are like our reputation. We have to protect it, reinvent it and live it. Your clients should know what your brand represents by your communication.
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2 thoughts on “Pete Edochie – Biography, Career And Net Worth of A Living Legend”
May God Almighty bless all actors n actress in Nigeria
Amen and bless us too for putting them in the limelight.