Jide Kosoko


Jide Kosoko is a veteran Nigerian actor, director and producer. He was born into a royal family, hence his traditional title of prince or "omoba" in the Yoruba language.

Early life

Jide Kosoko was born in Lagos State, Nigeria on 12 January 1954, to the Kosoko royal family of Lagos Island.

Career

Kosoko studied business administration at the Yaba College of Technology. He began his acting career as a child actor in 1964 in a television production named Makanjuola. He has featured in several Nollywood movies in both English and Yoruba languages.
Kosoko grew up in Ebute Metta and was inspired by the huge success of Hubert Ogunde to go into acting, when an acquaintance who was working with the Ifelodun travelling theatre troupe invited him to an audition for a role in Makanjuola, a tele-movie. Kosoko accepted the invitation; he later went for the audition and was chosen for the role, playing a character called Alabi. Kosoko continued with acting, he then performed with the Awada Kerikeri group consisting of Sunday Omobolanle, Lanre Hassan and Oga Bello, ⁣and had guest appearances on the T.V. show, New Masquerade. In 1972, he formed his own theatre troupe.
Kosoko has written and also produced his own films and stage plays including Ogun Ahoyaya. Kosoko became visible during the video film era, producing his own film, Asiri n la in 1992, starring in Asewo to re Mecca and Tunde Kelani's Ti Oluwa Ni'Le part 2.
Endorsement
Kosoko is an ambassador for a popular juice production company Chivita. In 2016, he endorsed MeritAbode Limited, owners of Emerald Estate. Kosoko is also one of the brand ambassadors for Western Lotto situated in Nigeria.
Awards and nominations
In 2021, Abuja International Film Festival nominated Kosoko as the Outstanding Male Actor in ''Love Castle.''

Personal life

Kosoko was married to two wives, Karimat and Henrietta, ⁣and has children and grandchildren. He is known to be the biological father of six children which are Bidemi, Sola, Temilade, Tunji, Muyiwa, and Tunde Kosoko.

Partial filmography