Veteran Nollywood actor Richard Mofe-Damijo, popularly known as RMD, has opened up about why he dislikes being referred to as a “legend.”
Speaking on the Curiosity Made Me Ask podcast, the 63-year-old actor described the label as a “scam,” explaining that he does not consider himself worthy of the title.
“I think the legend thing is a scam. I have my legends like Uncle Pete [Edochie] and Uncle Olu Jacobs — these are our ancestors and true legends,” RMD said.
He added that being called a legend often feels like people are trying to push him toward retirement.
“When they call me that, I feel like they’re trying to relegate me to the neighborhood of retired people or those nearing retirement,” he explained.
RMD began his acting career in 1982 and became a household name in Nollywood during the industry’s golden era in the 1990s. Before venturing fully into acting, he worked as a journalist, writing for publications such as Concord Newspapers, Metro Magazine, and The Guardian, focusing on entertainment and lifestyle.
His background in journalism gave him a unique perspective on the entertainment industry and helped him build valuable networks, but acting remained his true passion.
RMD’s first major television appearance was on Ripples, one of Nigeria’s most popular soap operas in the 1980s. As Nollywood blossomed in the ’90s, he quickly rose to fame, admired for his deep voice, polished presence, and natural ability to bring characters to life.
Over the years, he has starred in countless classics, often playing romantic leads, business moguls, and influential authority figures, earning him the admiration of fans across Africa.