Always starring in dazzling roles, award-winning Ramsey Nouah Jr has become the spotless, almost irreplaceable poster boy of a brilliant and successful actor in Nigeria. Born to an Israeli father and a Nigerian mother, Ramsey, for years in the Nigerian movie industry, has kept many Nollywood fans stuck to the edge of their seats…he never fails to deliver in his roles. Like millions of people in the country, this swanky actor’s life hasn’t always been a bed of roses; he was just two when his father left the family. Before gaining popularity as a Nollywood actor, Nouah had been a hip-hop artiste Dubbed the “Lover boy” for his numerous romantic roles in movies, Ramsey shares the story of his life, romance, his pretty wife and family with Oge Ezeliora
From the point you started, how will you describe Nigeria’s film industry today?
His mien is sublime, swanky and sexy. His ‘funkified’ accent is inviting. The dashing young man with irresistible look and aura, gorgeous and pleasantly glamorous, is best described as a lady-killer.
So much development has taken place in Nollywood. Nollywood came up as result of the people who are passionate about the movie industry. The story of Nollywood is like making bread out of stone; there were people who gave everything they had to keep something standing out of nothing. We had nothing; we had no support. We were just passionate about the work of art and we started with cinematography –from the time of Baba Sala, Village Headmaster and the rest. It was the era when cinema culture in Nigeria was very active until the TV took over. That was when the soap operas came up, like the Ripples, Behind the Cloud, Checkmate and the one I was involved in was Fortunes. Then, we started producing movies of our own and it used to take months before it would be released. Today, however, producers are chasing after money and churning out movies every week. When we started, Nigeria’s film industry was not easy at all, but I’m happy to see how far the industry has come and to see that I am part of it from the beginning till now. I am happy things have changed and we are really doing well. The recent challenges faced by the sector are being addressed with the intervention of the government; helping to put structures and other things in place. And of course, the fact that we didn’t know that Nollywood was going to be a huge contributor to the economy of Nigeria. But, it is. And, the government is really helping us to fix things and we’re moving up.
Is it the same you that we see in movies or you’re different from the characters you play in movies?
(Laughs) I am not a different person. I can portray a character given to me in a movie but that does not mean I am acting me. I am a very simple and easygoing fellow –simplicity in sophistication, that’s how I live my life. I am a perfectionist.
Some have said you’re a proud person.
I don’t know where that one is coming from because I am a very free person. I can be ‘violent’ and very ‘aggressive’ but not to the point of not relating well with my fans. Maybe they are just looking for something to say about me but I know I am convivial.
You are hardly seen in movies except in few ones. What’s been happening to you?
Nothing! I am just making changes. What kind of movies are you talking about anyway?
It seems you are selective about the films you star in. What do you look out for before starring in movies?
Well, yes I am selective. I look out for good movies, good storylines, and the ones I can interpret to the best of my capability. We are trying to upgrade the industry as best as we can –set up everything that has cinema culture. We want people to go to cinemas and watch movies and not just sit down at home watching movies on DVDs.
Why did you choose acting as a career?
First and foremost, I am passionate about my career. Even back then in school people do call me ‘actor’ because I was a disciplined child. I hate intimidation, and as a child I commanded respect for myself. So I didn’t just force myself into what I am doing, I have always been an actor even as a child growing up. But I went into TV acting fully in 1990, through a friend who always told me that I was a good actor and urged me to try acting. Therefore, in 1991, I acted in Fortunes which later became Mega Fortunes. These soap operas were aired in 1993 on the Nigerian Television Authority; soon after that came the home video era. And since then I’ve been acting.
What were the challenges when you started?
Life is all about challenges but I will not really call them challenges because being a good actor is something that comes from within. I will basically call it God’s gift and if it is not there, no matter how hard you try, you will find it difficult to do it well. Like I said, the story of Nollywood is like making bread out of stone. For those of us who started from the scratch of the movie industry, we gave our best to get to the top. I didn’t have any foresight of what the industry would be in the future. On getting to this point I realised that acting can actually pay my bills and I’m happy. I want to always give my viewers something better, working hard to make it better each day. My only regret is the fame: I wish I could have a more private life. As it is I don’t have a private life. Everything about me is in the public sphere.
Which movie will you say brought you fame?
The first one was Silent Night. It was my first in the industry and it made everybody to know me. The next one is Dangerous Twins.
Do you consider Dangerous Twins your most strenuous movie?
I will say it was more demanding and tasking both physically and mentally because I had to act two different characters at the same time. Dressing up and coming back on stage to reply what I had earlier said was not easy at all but I enjoyed it.
You, with some other artistes, were once blacklisted by movie marketers. Why?
At a point, I was blacklisted, alongside other stars, by the marketers when they felt that they couldn’t work with us –because of indiscipline on our part. They assumed we were not giving them back what they were asking for.
So, why were you called back?
(Laughs) We were able to resolve it and many other people intervened. They also talked to me and we agreed on a stable fee.
Is your professional fee still as expensive as before?
The truth is that I have a price and those that can afford to pay Ramsey will invite me for a role in their movies. Of course, I am affordable to those that can pay my price. It is important to add that, I’m not an extravagant person who tries to live above what he earns. Even though you cannot compare it to what is obtainable in Hollywood but then the pay is good. Nollywood started from virtually nothing to where it is today. It has employed a lot of people who are not all rich but happy with their career. At least, I have a good car, live in a good apartment and take care of my kids so what else do I want? I thank God for the height Nollywood has attained.
Outside acting, what else do you do?
I have a private business that I run.
Has your celebrity status deprived you of anything?
My private life; I can’t go out somewhere and be happy without people taking pictures. I can’t go out with my family to public outing without people taking pictures. I feel deprived of having private moments with my family. So I only have private moments with my family in private places.
Not a few actors and actresses are dabbling into politics in recent times. What do you make of that?
I think they are looking out for changes and connections. You know the industry is highly competitive, and we have so many actors and actresses but few movie roles. Besides, consider the ills in the society and problems that we find down the street; health problems like cancer; then you have the abandoned children. All these things we find in our society that we talk about in our movies. And some of our artistes are beginning to see that they can actually be servants of the people to help rectify those things because they know their pain. Therefore, they are thinking they can go into politics and make a change. That’s why they are doing it.
Do you see yourself going into politics in the future?
I cannot speak about my future. I can only tell you what I am presently. My future is in God’s hand. If that is God’s plan for me in the future then I will go into politics. But presently, I don’t have interest in it. Aside that, I am a very busy person adding politics to my tight work routine will make me have little or no time for myself.
Tell us about the movie 30 Days in Atlanta you starred in with the popular comedian AY?
It is a romantic comedy. It was partly shot in Nigeria and partly shot in Atlanta, United States of America. AY played Akpos and I played his cousin. It’s a long and interesting movie and I know it’s doing well in the market.
How was it acting alongside AY, the comedian or are you gradually becoming a comic actor too?
Well, the movie is a romantic comedy, and not just that, it was fun for everybody. AY is a wonderful brother and a good actor. We worked together and the movie came out great.
How do you balance marriage and career?
I have a very beautiful wife who understands me and understands my profession. We both have an understanding of how to actually deal with things; the showbiz life, with people who go around destroying others’ marriages rather than helping. So, we are compatible like that. That is why we have that good union. Aside that, I also take out time to be with my family. Remember, it is good to be at home with your family, and I notice each time I am at home, everybody feels good and my children enjoy spending time with me. I love the fact that I am now spending quality time with them.
Your wife is hardly seen at events, why is that so?
That is how we actually balance the equation; we try not to be all up in everybody’s face. Everybody now knows my family and they can say this about her and about me –that’s the beautiful way to actually keep it. We have been married for 14 years and we are still going strong in love together.
You always act as a Casanova in most movies. How does your wife feel about your roles in that light?
Well, that’s left for my wife to decide. She understands me more than anyone. I don’t know if she thinks I am romantic.
What does she do for a living?
She is a businesswoman and she takes care of our home.
How do you handle your female fans?
That happens; it is my profession so I have got to live with it.
Do you find it embarrassing when your female fans tend to mob you?
It is not embarrassing; it comes with the profession.
When was your first encounter with love and what was it like?
I was 22 years old then and it was awesome as I enjoyed every bit of it.
Much has been said about where you’re from. What’s your origin?
I’m of a mixed blood. My father is a bit of Iranian and Israeli and my mother is a Nigerian from Ondo State. I was born and bred here in Lagos.
Did you grow up with both parents?
No. My father was around till I was about two years old and then, he and my mom separated.
What was growing up like with a single mother?
It’s like any other single parent’s home. My mother is a very strong woman who taught me how to be respectful and strong, so I couldn’t be spoilt under her custody. Let me just say I learnt to live life in a very hard way from a tough woman.
Were you deprived of anything as a child?
While I was growing up yes, but then as a child, I wouldn’t understand if the paternity of a child was necessary.
If you have the opportunity of becoming the President Actors Guild of Nigeria, what will you like to change?
First of all, I’m not a good leader and I don’t know how to lead. But one thing I’ll like to change will be the disunity amongst members. I’ll like to bring them together to love and care for one another.
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