Charly Boy
- Name: Charly Boy
- Birthdate: June 19, 1950
- Birthplace: Nigeria
- Occupation: Singer-songwriter, television presenter, internet personality
Charly Boy (also spelt Charlie Boy and known as CB, His Royal Punkness, and Area Fada) is best known for his alternative lifestyle, biker style, political views, and television productions, most notably The Charly Boy Show.
He was born on June 19, 1951, in Oguta, Imo State, Nigeria, into a Catholic household. Charly Boy is the second son of former Supreme Court judge Chukwudifu Oputa. He is also the cousin of Swedish musician Dr. Alban.
He had set out to become a priest, but left seminary school after a year. In his late teens, he moved to America, where he attended the prestigious Harvard University. He was expected to study Law as his father had done, but graduated with a degree in Communications.
When he returned to Nigeria, Charly Boy rejected the job at Mobil Oil and Gas that his father secured for him. Charly Boy went back to his village in Imo State and worked in a local beer joint to keep body and soul together.
Later, he moved back to Lagos and, with some help, achieved his dreams in the entertainment industry. Reportedly, due to his patriotic character, Galadima Bus Stop and his street in Gwarinpa district of Abuja were named after Charly Boy.
Charly Boy had released a highlife album in 1982, however, he attained greater success with the 1985 Polygram Nigeria release of Nwata Miss. His most popular album was 1990 – the title was a reference to Nigeria's corrupt military government.
In 1996, Charly Boy starred in the Nollywood movie Backstab in which he played a gangster.
As a television presenter, Charly Boy created such TV projects as The Charly Boy Show (cancelled in 2001 after ten years), The Charly Boy Kiddies Show and Zoom Time. The most popular television series was The Charly Boy Show – a weekly sketch/variety show with political undertones, and featured music, comedy, and celebrity appearances.
In 2011, Charly Boy replaced Audu Maikori as a judge on Nigerian Idol.
Charly Boy is the owner of New Waves Productions and publisher of The Charly Boy Magazine, which he launched in 2010 and writes for regularly.
He has been married to African-American singer and former fashion designer Diane for over thirty years. Charly Boy – who had been married before – has nine children. One of his sons is an Associate Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Boston, USA.
