Veteran actor Alex Usifo reveals why he cannot play romantic roles in movies

NigeriaTrends | NOLLYWOOD — Veteran Nollywood actor Alex Usifo who shot into prominence playing the tough-talking and fire-spitting Talab Abass in Zeb Ejiro’s defunct soap, Ripples in 1988, have come out to reveal why he can’t play romantic roles in movies.

Alex Usifo in an occult scene movie

Alex Usifo who is known for his villain roles, recently bagged a PhD at 63 and shows no signs of slowing down just yet.

In a recent interview with PREMIUM TIMES,  he opened up on a lot of things including why he decided to go study for a PhD, his past journey into catholic seminary school to become a priest, and why he don’t like to play romantic roles in Nigerian movies.

Without further ado, below are excerpts from Alex Usifo interview, including comments from the NigeriaTrends team.

Alex Usifo on studying for a PHD

First, the NigeriaTrends team would like to congratulate Alex Usifo on his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at the age of 63. PhD is the highest academic degree awarded by universities in most countries.

Alex Usifo Doctorate Degree – PhD

“Education is a necessity and knowledge is something you must keep seeking. So when people ask me why I studied for a PHD I just wonder why people ask that kind of questions. I studied English at Ambrose Ali University (1st Degree), and bagged a Masters in Social Work at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho. The whole idea is to make me a better human being and I didn’t study for a PhD to intimidate anybody.” – Alex Usifo

• From NollywoodCommunity: I stopped featuring in movies because am not affordable – Alex Usifo

Alex Usifo on wanting to become a Catholic priest

The veteran actor known for his villain character in Nigerian movies, said he was actually once in the catholic seminary because he wanted to be a priest at SS Peter and Paul Seminary in Bodija, back in 1978.

He explains why he decided to dump the idea of catholic priesthood:

“I realised that being a Catholic priest would have caged me. I didn’t know that aspect because Catholic bishops are very powerful; a Catholic bishop can transfer a priest to any part of the country whether he likes it or not you like it or not. When I was in the major seminary I acted a lot in the church dramas and we were trained by the late Zulu Sofola . I wouldn’t have been as free as I am right now so I dropped out. I didn’t wait to be ordained.I read Philosophy and Logic, but for personal reasons I did not stay in the Theology world.”

Nigerian Actor Alex Usifo

Alex Usifo on why he can’t play romantic roles

Alex Usifo was asked during the interview if his experience at catholic seminary school unconsciously affects the sort of roles he plays, assuming it has anything to do with him not liking romantic roles.

• From NMN: Watch Alex Usifo in Arrows of Love Nigerian Movie

The veteran actor responded:

“Well, it does especially when it comes to man, woman roles. When it comes down to my playing a love scene, there are some things I know that I won’t do. So, of course I can kiss if it is absolutely necessary to do so in a film, but I won’t want to kiss in a movie if I had my way. I will rather avoid such roles, I can peck or hug, I can do all that but when it comes down to serious romantic scenes, these are roles I can’t play. I won’t be comfortable playing such a role.”

Credit: Premium Times 

What words do you have for the Nollywood father of villain character ALEX USIFO?