As a younger actor, Mr Balogun won hearts by depicting ‘lovely boy’ characters in the mildew of an Emeka Ike but with the mien of a stone-cold killer.
“It’s been a tough year, but his grace saw me through. Thank God for another year.”
Those were the words on his Fb page as he marked his birthday on 12 June.
Other folks that watched Nigerian movies in the industry’s childhood would agree that actor Lanre Balogun came, he performed and left his worth in the Nigerian entertainment scene, significantly in the realm of film and theatre.
With three a long time of career, the proficient actor has confirmed his mettle in varied roles.
His dedication to his craft is evident in the replacement range of roles he’s performed, from drama to comedy.
As a younger actor, Mr Balogun won hearts by depicting ‘lovely boy’ characters in the mildew of an Emeka Ike but with the mien of a stone-cold killer.
Early Existence
Now not noteworthy is identified about the actor earlier than the limelight. Nonetheless, he studied Mathematics and Statistics at Yaba College of Skills, Lagos.
Despite that, his existence took a diversified trajectory when he joined the College of Ibadan’s playhouse and at last, the area of theatre.
Even if he wasn’t a pupil of the premier university, Lanre’s foray into appearing began in the early 1980s, with stage productions on the College of Ibadan and later, in Lagos.
He became piece of the Collective Artistes, a neighborhood of proficient other individuals who would plod on to form the Nigerian entertainment industry.
Below the steering of industry stalwarts contend with Chuck Mike and Segun Ojewuyi, Lanre honed his craft, taking portion in principal productions contend with ‘Ceremonies of Dark Previous Man’, which won an award.
Transition to Film
As the Nigerian film industry began to take form, Mr Balogun seamlessly transitioned from stage to screen, from his early days in ‘Koko Shut’, an NTA manufacturing, to starring in feature movies.
His step forward feature came in Tade Ogidan’s Hostages, a film that showcased his versatility and range.
Significant performances followed this in ‘Terrible Twins,’ ‘Thunderbolt’ and ‘Contractors’.
Amongst the actor’s filmography are acclaimed productions contend with ‘Shattered Hearts’ (2012), ‘Battered’ (2013), ‘Coarse Deceit’ (2013), ‘The Marriage’ (2019), ‘Go Him to the Altar’ (2015), ‘Tanbóló’ (2006), ‘Erú Ife’ (2005) and more
‘Thunderbolt’
Arguably, potentially the most principal film he starred in became Tunde Kelani’s 2001 film Thunderbolt: Magun.
The film follows the story of Yinka (Balogun), a Yoruba man who falls in contend with with and marries Ngozi, an Igbo girl, one day of their Nationwide Childhood Carrier Corps (NYSC) program.
Their marriage hits the rocks when unsuitable rumours of infidelity by Ngozi are made identified to Yinka by his chums, as Ngozi and Yinka employ prolonged periods apart.
Yinka’s ego is bruised, and he engages the companies and products of a babalawo who inflicts Ngozi with Magun, a chastity succor watch over mechanism.
Ngozi realises this and, as a consequence of the gun’s cease, has easiest a few days to are residing. She enlists the relieve of her chums Janet and Mama Tutu, who support her to get Dr. Dimeji Taiwo’s proposition.
He is conscious of the magun placed on Ngozi but mates with her for research. Within the process, he starts coughing up blood and choking, but is saved by the babalawo and Ngozi’s curse is lifted.
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Impression
With over three a long time of abilities in the entertainment industry, Lanre Balogun established himself as a flexible and carried out actor.
Nonetheless, his absence is being felt in the Nigerian film industry.
Here’s regardless of the liberalisation of filmmaking triggered by the presence of streaming platforms, significantly YouTube.
Mr Balogun, who now resides basically in London, has not often been featured in any Nollywood film.
His last film look became in the 2022 flick Afraid Pleasures.
In 2023, he hinted that he became abet shooting when he posted a clip of himself on Instagram. As of on the present time, the untitled manufacturing has yet to be released
Despite his seeming absence on the monitors, the actor maintains an active presence on Fb and Instagram.
