Veteran Nollywood actor and multiple award-winner, Olusegun Akinremi, popularly known as Chief Kanran, has passed away at the age of 69—just three days shy of his 70th birthday.
A family source confirmed that the celebrated Yoruba actor died on Friday in a Lagos hospital after a brief illness. As of 5:00 p.m. on Friday, no official family statement had been issued.
Known for his commanding portrayals of affluent characters in Yoruba-language films, Chief Kanran’s career spanned stage, television, and film for more than five decades. He was also recognised as a versatile cross-over actor, appearing in English-language productions such as the now-defunct TV soap Megafortune, where he played General Phillips in 13 episodes.
Despite his fame, the later years of Akinremi’s life were marked by hardship. In 2017, a devastating fire razed his home and destroyed valuable film equipment. Speaking during a 2015 radio interview commemorating his 50th year in the acting profession, he revealed the toll of personal tragedies, including the loss of his wife to cancer and subsequent family estrangement, which left him homeless and financially distressed.
“Seven years ago, things became bad for me—not because of illness, but due to misfortune. My house got burnt, my wife and children left me, and I lost my studio and all my film equipment. I’ve been sleeping in a church for over a year. Feeding has been difficult, and I have no money to rent an apartment. All my four cars were gone—some sold, one burnt, and another knocked,” he recalled in Yoruba during the emotional interview.
Born with a natural flair for performance, Chief Kanran began acting as a child, featuring in stage dramas during Easter and Christmas celebrations. In 1974/75, he trained at the Centre for Cultural Studies (now Department of Creative Arts) at the University of Lagos and later obtained a diploma in directing, acting, and film production from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife.
His career breakthrough came under the mentorship of the late Ayanfemi Phillips, husband of veteran actress Iya Rainbow. He went on to host a television programme on MTV in Lagos before fully venturing into film. A devout member of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church, he was known for using his personal wardrobe in movie roles, refusing borrowed costumes.
Chief Kanran’s contribution to the Nigerian film industry is etched in history—not only for his memorable performances but also for his role in mentoring a new generation of Yoruba actors.
