Pete Edochie
Name: Pete Edochie
Birthdate: March 7, 1947
Birthplace: Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
Occupation: Actor
Pete Edochie, MON (born March 7, 1947), is one of Nigeria’s most celebrated actors and a cultural icon. A native of Nteje, Anambra State, he was born in Zaria and educated at St. Patrick’s and St. James Primary School and St. John’s College, Kaduna, before studying journalism and television in England.
Career
Edochie began his professional journey in broadcasting in 1967 at the Eastern Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation, rising from junior program assistant to director and acting managing director.
His acting breakthrough came in 1980 when he starred as Okonkwo in the NTA adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, a role that brought him international acclaim and a feature from the BBC.
Over a prolific four-decade career, Edochie has appeared in more than 100 feature films, including key Nollywood classics such as Igodo, Living in Bondage, Oracle, and Lionheart (2018), directed by Genevieve Nnaji.
Known for portraying wise, authoritative figures—kings, chiefs, patriarchs—his deep baritone, gravitas, and professionalism have made him a staple in African cinema.
His contributions earned him notable honours: Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) in 2003; Lifetime Achievement at the Africa Movie Academy Awards; Industry Merit at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards; and African Film Legend Award at the TAFF festival in 2020.
Personal life
Edochie married Josephine in 1969, and they have six children, including Nollywood actor Yul Edochie.
In 2009, he endured a brief kidnapping but was released unharmed.
Beyond cinema, he is admired as a mentor, voice of tradition, and philanthropist supporting education and healthcare.
Today, at 78, Chief Pete Edochie remains a revered figure—an enduring pillar of Nollywood whose influence spans generations, inspiring actors and audiences across Africa and the diaspora.
