Jerry Amilo is a Nigerian movie actor, director, producer, musician and a good writer. He is the last born in his family and former manager with Christy Essien before joining Nollywood.
Jerry was born on the 21st July in Enugu-Ukwu in Anambra State in South Eastern Nigeria.
Educational Background
Jerry Amilo did his primary and secondary education in Enugu. After his primary and secondary certificates respectively, he proceeded to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka where he bagged a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Mechanical Engineering and acting professional though apart, Jerry discovered his passion and greatness in acting and subsequently abandoned the prestigious engineering profession for Nollywood in 1993, where he played for the first time the role of Anini in the movie titled: “Bruno and the Law”. The movie was about the notorious armed robber, Anini who used to terrorize the then Bendel state, now Edo State Nigeria.
The popular saying that nothing is permanent except change is clearly exemplified in the case of this unrepentant robber, Anini who met his waterloo after several operations in the state. The movie gave Jerry Amilo a major breakthrough in the movie industry as he became the much talked about actor and the man to watch in Nollywood.
Challenge
Jerry Amilo was involved in a fatal accident that almost claimed his life during his early days in Nollywood. This tragic event happened on his way to Lagos from Enugu for the prestigious Reels Award. For more than two years, this multi-talented actor was in the hospital recuperating.
Later in an interview, Jerry narrated how the accident happened on that fateful day. According to him, the unfortunate incident happened when the front tyre of the car they were travelling in go burst and the car somersaulted several times. Unfortunately, his Lawyer died instantly and himself was unconscious for about 3 days before regaining consciousness in the hospital.
He came back to Nollywood in the year 2000 and since then has featured in well over 100 Nollywood movies including the famous blockbuster movie “Desperadoes” in 2001.
Other hit movies to his credit include: Across the Border, Boys from Malaysia, Across the Desert, Across the Niger, King of the Town, across the Bridge and several others too numerous to mention here.
One unique feature about the kind of movies Jerry features such as “across” perhaps reveals how desperate the Nigerian youths are to leave the shores of this country for greener pastures not minding the implications involved. So, most of these movies educate the younger generation to believe in their ability to make it here in Nigeria rather than become a slave in another man’s land.
Jerry Amilo’s Awards
Jerry Amilo is a proud recipient of several awards including:
• Best actor in Nigeria at the African Movie Academy Awards.
• Most Prominent actor in Nigeria.
• Nollywood legend for his immeasurable contribution to the development of Nollywood in Nigeria.
Jerry Amilo’s Net Worth
Jerry Amilo is currently one of the richest, most gifted, most skillful, most talented and most influential Nollywood actors in Nigeria with a net worth of about $5 million dollars.