Veteran Nollywood actor Olusegun Akinremi, popularly known as Chief Kanran, has died at the age of 70.
Movie executive and producer Seun Oloketuyi confirmed the news in an Instagram post on Friday, stating that the actor passed away earlier in the day.
He wrote, “Popular actor Segun Remi popularly known as Chief Kanran died Friday morning. Details soon.”
Chief Kanran was a household name in the Yoruba film industry, renowned for his distinctive style, refined elegance, love for luxury, sharp humour, and commanding performances that lit up stage plays and movies for decades.
In a 2020 interview with PUNCH, the icon explained his struggles and why he stepped away from the movie industry.
“I stepped aside from film-making because of some reasons. There is politics everywhere and different cliques as well, even in our profession.
“Some people in the industry see people like me as a threat because I will not do anything that is not professional and that has made some people to be upset with me,” he was quoted to have said.
He began his career on stage before moving into television and film, appearing in numerous Yoruba stage productions and gaining prominence as part of a popular NTA drama series.
His fame grew further with his roles in Yoruba movies.
Over the years, he featured in many notable films, including Ewe Orun, Aiye, Efunsetan Aniwura, Agbarin, and Bata Wahala. He was widely recognised for portraying authoritative characters, often as a king, chief, or village elder.
Kanran, renowned for often portraying wealthy characters on screen, began his professional acting career in 1975.
He took on the title role in Kurunmi, a play by Prof. Ola Rotimi, and featured in several episodes of Mirror in the Sun, marking his shift from stage to television. He also played a businessman in the soap opera Images.
His major breakthrough came on stage with Langbodo, Nigeria’s drama entry for Festac ’77, performed at the National Arts Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos.
On television, he memorably portrayed Alaafin Kanran in a drama aired on Lagos Television on October 1, 1988.
As of the time of filing this report, details about the cause of his death has yet to be disclosed.
PUNCH Online reports that the family have yet to make a formal announcement on the cause of death and burial activities.
