He is definitely one of the most sought-after actors in Nollywood. Dubbed the ‘ladies’ man’, Ramsey Nouah Jnr. is one of the few actors in the industry who has not enmeshed his name with scandals. He came into limelight after his scintillating role in the award-winning movie entitled ‘Silent Night’ and has been on the rise ever since. In this exclusive interview with AJIBADE ALABI, the handsome actor spoke on sundry issues bordering on his lifestyle and career. Excerpts:
You walked into Ralph Nwadike’s soap opera to be shot into stardom. And over the years, you have consistently been on the rise. Can you recapitulate your evolution from soap opera to home videos?
Alright. I had this fan that looked at me and said, “Ramsey, you are just an actor.” She always says that I know it. She said I could act in one of the soaps in Nigeria.
And I said, “Me, Ramsey? Why would I want to act in Nigeria? If I was going to act at all, it would be in Hollywood.” She now said something that really motivated me and changed my way of reasoning, which was, “Ramsey, charity begins at home.” That is a very normal phrase and line.
Apparently, it worked perfectly well for me at that time and I looked at her and I said to myself, “That is true. If you’re going to do something at all, you have to start from somewhere. You have to build it from somewhere.” Like Johnnie Walker said: ‘A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, I went over to see her again and said, “This soap opera thing, let’s do it.” So we went ahead and did some few things in 1990. In 1991, she took me to Ralph Nwadike.
Then, it was Zeb Ejiro’s office; somewhere in Oyekan Street, in Aguda. And then we walked in and there was this soap going on for ‘Fortunes’ at that time. It wasn’t running.
They were about to shoot the pilot scenes and I was asked to play a role. Out of excitement Ralph Nwadike screamed, “This is the guy I have been looking for. This is the guy I’ve been waiting for.” Well, I laughed.
And that started my fame, my stardom, what I am and what I’ve become today. The soap didn’t go on air until like 1993. It ran for just a year due to logistic problems and then became defunct. About two years later came the advent of home video.
Which was the very first role you played?
Well, I did a few which were not major roles, then I hit my major with ‘Silent Night’. After that, I shot another major which was ‘Blind Trust’.
Over the years, you have advanced in terms of your acting capabilities. What is the secret?
Fortunately for us, we shoot movies like no other country in the world (laughing). We churn out movies and that give you very quick adaptation to professionalism. I shot quite a number of one and with each movie; I grew, became matured and got professional.
Now, during all this, I learnt along the way: mannerisms, gestures, eye contact, lines, modulation and several other things that make you a good actor and make you deliver properly. That is how I have come to become what l am.
Do you go to the gym regularly?
Yes I do.
Why? Is it to keep the belly trimmed?
Absolutely. You have to stay fit to be an actor. In our profession, having a potbelly or a paunch is not good for business.
What other benefits come with keeping fit?
As an actor, there are so many things you can be called on to do. In Nigeria, the industry is not big enough to have a body-double to do some of your stunts and some very dangerous parts. But if you are fit and have the heart too, then you can to go through it.
Which is your wildest stunt you have ever done?
Oh, I can’t remember. I have done quite a few: I tried one out in a movie directed by Zach Orji; I jumped from a storey building.
Then, I tried to save a woman from an oncoming car and it was pretty risky; it was pretty close. And then in ‘My Lover’, I was thrown in a well that was 15 ft deep.
Should actors do their own stunts?
Yes. I like to do my own stunts.
Does it imply that you like taking risks?
Yes.
Do you fear anything?
Yes, God.
What role is God playing in your life?
The role that he made me what I am today who I am and who I will ever be till I die.
Your name, Ramsey Tokunbo Nouah, Jr. How come the Tokunbo?
Ramsey is my father’s name. He is the senior, while I am the junior. That is why you have Ramsey Nouah, Jr. The Tokunbo was given to me by my grandmother – my mother’s mother.
I adopted the name when I needed to get a passport to have a certain business registered. They needed to ascertain if I was truly a Nigerian or a foreigner because of the name; so I had to adopt Tokunbo.
Has the colour of your skin worked in your favour?
I wouldn’t know. A lot of people believe that people with coloured skin are highly endowed by God. Since it is a mixture of two races, they’re always believed to be very healthy and strong. Even scientists say so. Now, it has helped me in that aspect of life. I hardly ever fall ill.
Has your mixed race given you an edge in your movie career?
Maybe. As a light-skinned fellow, you are easily endeared to the black race, especially here in Nigeria. Because I’m light skinned, people get to notice me easily.
When I walk with some of my colleagues, my fans could spot me from a distance, before they could spot my other colleagues. Generally, it has both its good and bad side.
Have you ever felt like being in a competition with some of the big names in the industry?
Competition?
Yes, possibly. Rivalry?
No!
Okay, maybe in competition for the heart of the ladies?
(Laughing) I really do not know.
They call you ‘Lover Boy’. What does it feel like?
Even right here, there are ladies hanging around and looking; waiting for a chance to come up and talk to you.
It’s just the same way they would like to have a chance to talk to Jim lyke, Emeka Ike, RMD and all the other actors. We are TV personalities. I don’t think there is anything special to it.
Where are your parents from?
My mum is from Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria and my father is from Israel.
Did you grow up in Nigeria?
I grew up in Nigeria, on the streets of Nigeria. Ebutemeta in Lagos State. That was where I started before I moved to Surulere.
One can logically say you have everything: fame, good pay, fortune, a family you are happy with, and you have all the girls. What does it feel like to have everything?
(Laughing) It feels good to have everything. But sometimes, it is usually not always good to have everything.
Trust me. If you walk a mile in my shoes, then you would probably hand them back to me (still laughing).
CULLED FROM NIGERIAFILMS
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