Nollywood veteran actor Emmanuel France, famous for his roles in Domitilla (1996) and The Curfew (2021), has died at 84.
His colleague, filmmaker Olufemi Ogedengbe, broke the news on his Instagram page on Monday.
“Rest in peace to one of Nollywood legends uncle Emmanuel France, One of the actors I took to Tanzania in 2006, Shot three movies with him: Cross MY Sin, She Is My Sister & THE Director,” his post read.
The cause of his death remains unknown.
Born in Kano State, he joined the Nigerian movie industry in the ’80s and was renowned for playing Witch Doctor roles in Nollywood films.
The late actor was also famous for the catchphrase ‘Tufancha,’ a word which he repeatedly used in the classic Nollywood film Suicide Mission.
His other movie credits include Oganigwe, Narrow Escape, Witches, Silent Night, Exile and Silent Night.
His professional career began in Ghana when he studied at the School of Journalism in Accra.
He also started writing scripts while in Ghana and wrote his first script, a stage play, in 1967 for the Catholic Church titled the “Mission of John the Baptist.”
He joined the Ghana Film Corporation in 1969 and shot his first film, “The Market Day”, the same year.
While in Ghana, he also shot a documentary, “No Time to Die,” about road safety in Ghana.
Similarly, he also shot a film sponsored by the Ghana Fishing Industry that took him to Angola in 1974. Upon his return, the Ghana Broadcasting Organisation gave him a job, which saw him write the script for one of the best soup operas in Ghana at the time, Osopurazi.