Bello Salami Biography | Early Life, Career, Net worth
He is popularly called Oga Bello and undoubtedly one of the first actors to grace Nollywood in its early days. This veteran actor is also a director, movie producer, and filmmaker.
He was born on the 9th of May 1953 in Lagos State, Nigeria. Continue reading to learn more about this outstanding, award-winning thespian.
Bello Salami Biography | His acting career
Bello Salami is a descendant of Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. However, he has lived most of his life in Lagos State. He attended both primary and secondary schools in Lagos State and began his acting career in this megacity in 1964.
Bello Salami started in the acting world by joining an acting group called Young Concert Party led by one Ojo Ladipo, popularly called Baba Mero.
The group’s name was later changed to Ojo Ladipo Theatre Group and later to Awada Kerikeri Theatre Group.
Ojo Ladipo died in 1978, and Oga Bello was handed over the reins of leadership of the group.
This group led to his ascent to the top rung of the ladder among star actors in Nollywood. He had been in the limelight since then to date.
The first Yoruba film he ever featured in was titled Ajani Ogun. The lead actor in that film was the late Adeyemi Afolayan (Ade Love), who was the father of Kunle Afolayan and Gabriel Afolayan.
Bello Salami was later featured in another movie titled Kadara by Ade Love. At a later date, he became a regular feature in a comedy series titled half Comedy Hour.
It was where he earned the stage name Oga Bello.
Since he started acting, Bello Salami has featured in more than 70 movies. In 1985, Bello Salami produced his film titled Ogun Ajaye while still an Awada Kerikeri Theatre Group member.
He has been involved in creating and directing several Yoruba movies since then to date. He equally produced two dramas in 2005, which are:
- Ishola Oba-Orin 1
- Ishola Oba-Orin 2
A few of the many other movies he has featured in are:
- Oduduwa 1 and 2 released in 2000
- Elebute released in 2006
- Atanpako meta released in 2008
- The New Project/Feature Film released in 2013
Bello Salami is a pioneer member of the Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners. He is equally a one-time president of the association.
Bello Salami Biography | Personal life
Bello Salami has two wives. However, words on the street have it that he has several other women in his life outside marriage.
The name of his first wife is Alhaja Ejide, and they met while they were both students. They got married in 1975. The name of his second wife, on the other hand, is Omolabake Sanusi.
He met his second wife through his younger sister.
Read Also: Jide Kosoko Biography | What Is Known About The Yoruba Star
Bello Salami has 18 children. He has nine sons and nine daughters.
Awards
Bello Salami had won several awards over the years, and he is one of the most decorated actors in Nollywood. One of the many awards is the Best of Nollywood Awards in 2014.
What is Bello Salami net worth
His net worth is estimated to be $200,000
