Ekenedilichukwu Ugochukwu Eric Nwenweh is a Nigerian actor, writer, producer, and occasional musician who goes by the stage names Ken Erics Ugo and simply Ken Erics. He played Ugo in the film “The Illiterate,” alongside Tonto Dikeh and Yul Edochie.
Early Life and Education
Ken Erics was born on February 28, 1985, in Kano State, Northwest Nigeria, to Eric Chukwuemeka Nwenweh and Grace Ifeyinwa Nwenweh, both of Enugwu-Ukwu in Anambra State, Southeast Nigeria. He is of Igbo descent. Erics received his primary education at the Binta Mustapha Science Nursery and Elementary School in Kano and his secondary education at the Dennis Memorial Grammar School (DMGS) in Onitsha, Anambra State. Erics developed an interest in the arts as a child, which led to his admission to Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Anambra State, where he earned a degree in theatre arts. He also holds a master’s degree in theatre and film studies.
Career
Erics made his acting debut as a first-year university student in the Chris Ubani-directed “direct-to-dvd” film “Holy Prostitute,” in which he played a doctor for three scenes. After finishing his degree, he began attending auditions and was offered a couple more cameo roles in in-home movies. However, his portrayal as “Ugo” in the 2012 film The Illiterate won over viewers and opened doors for him in the Nigerian film industry.
Eric’s first published work, Cell 2, drew attention and has been used for academic and theatrical purposes in a number of Nigerian higher education institutions. Erics, who previously had his own musical band, occasionally performs as a vocalist and musician, as well as playing the guitar and keyboard. He has contributed to the creation of several original movie soundtracks.
Erics won Best Lead Actor at the Afrifimo Awards in the United States in 2014, as well as Best Supporting Actor at the City People Entertainment Awards. In 2015, he won the City People Entertainment Award for Best Lead Actor. Erics was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the Golden Movie Awards in 2018 and went on to win Best Actor of the Year at the City People Entertainment Awards in 2017.
Ken Erics’ debut single, Inozikwa Omee, was released in December 2018. His first single was met with applause from his fans. The fantastic song and stunning vocals are a clear indication that Ken Erics is here to stay.
He has also appeared in films with A-list actors, including Yul Edochie, Desmond Elliot, Chiwetalu Agu, Regina Daniels, and Ngozi Ezeonu.
Personal Life
In March 2019, Ken Erics made the decision to call it quits on his marriage to Onyi Adada. The actor claims that as things grew intolerable, it was crucial for him to end his marriage. He, though, expressed satisfaction at the union’s dissolution.
Discography
Selected singles of Ken Erics are the following;
- Inozikwa Omee (2018)
- Thank You Baba (2019)
- Mama (2019)
- Many Mysteries (2019)
- Sugarcane Baby (2019)
- Pretence (2019)
- Anom Gi N’aka (2019)
- Love is Life (2019)
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Holy Prostitute | Doctor | Chris Ubani | Cameo Role |
| 2006 | Silence of the gods | Onyegbula | Teco Benson | Home Video |
| 2007 | Eran and Erak | Oliver | Theodore Anyanji | Feature Film |
| 2010 | Evil intention | Santos | Ugezu j Ugezu | Feature Film |
| 2011 | Gold, not Silver | Nwokolo | Tchidi Chikere | Feature Film |
| 2011 | A Better Tomorrow | Izu | Michael JaJa | Feature Film |
| 2011 | Days of Gloom | Izu | Michael JaJa | Feature Film featuring John Dumelo, Olu Jacobs and Chioma Chukwuka |
| 2012 | The Illiterate | Ugo | Silvester Madu | Feature Film |
| 2013 | Release me oh Lord | Osita | Ifeanyi Ogbonna | Feature Film |
| 2014 | Father Muonso | Father Elijah | Vincent De Anointed | Feature Film |
| 2014 | Burning Bridges | Louis | Okechukwu Oku | Feature Film |
| 2014 | Sugarcane | Azuka | Obinna Ukeze | Feature Film |
| 2015 | Trials of Igho | Igho | Chris Eneaji | Lead/Feature Film |
| 2015 | Echoes of Love | Prince | Ugezu J. Ugezu | Feature Film |
| 2015 | Omalicham | Jeremiah | Ugezu J. Ugezu | Feature Film |
| 2016 | Almost Perfect | Nonso | Desmond Elliot | Feature Film |
| 2016 | Within these walls | Francis | Uche Jombo | Feature Film |
| 2016 | Valerie | Joe | Taiwo Shittu | Feature Film |
| 2016 | The Vengeance | Jeff | Goodnews Erico Isika | Feature Film |
| 2016 | Okafor’s Law | Chuks A.k.A Fox | Omoni Oboli | Feature Film featuring Blossom a Chukwujekwu, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Omoni Oboli |
| 2017 | Crossed Path | Jesse | Frank Rajah Arase | Feature Film featuring Okawa Shaznay, Frank Artus & Emem Inwang |
| 2017 | What Lies Within | Brian | Vanessa Nzediegwu | Feature Film with Michelle Dede, Tope Tedela, Kiki Omeili |
| 2017 | Omugwo | Raymond | Kunle Afolayan | Feature Film featuring Patience Ozokwo, Ayo Adesanya, Omowunmi Dada |
| 2017 | Body Language | Lancelot | Moses Inwang | Feature Film featuring Ramsey Nouah, Tana Adelana |
| 2017 | The Bridge | Augustine | Kunle Afolayan | Feature Film featuring Chidinma Ekile, Demola, Adedoyin, Zach Orji |
| 2017 | Fate of Amanda | |||
| 2018 | You Are My Light | Samson | Vincent D Anointed | Feature Film produced by Ken Erics and featuring Yvonne Jegede, Ebele Okaro |
| 2019 | Love Melody | Obiora | Ability Tagbo | Feature Film produced by Ken Erics and featuring Rachael Okonkwo |
| 2019 | Ordinary Fellows | Ekene | Lorenzo Menakaya and Ikenna Aniekwe | Feature Film featuring Wale Ojo, Chiwetalu Agu and Somadina Adinma |
Television Roles
| Year | Title | Role | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Webs | Livinus Otteh | TV Series | |
| 2015 | Growing Old | Chidi | Chris Eneaji | TV Series |
Stage Plays
| Title | Role | Writer |
|---|---|---|
| Hopes of the Living Dead | Hacourt Whyte | Ola Rotimi |
| Trials of Oba Ovoramnwen | Consular | Ola Rotimi |
| Hangmen Also Die | R.I.P | Esiaba Irobi |
| Childe International | Chief | Wole Soyinka |
| Everyman | Everyman | Obotunde Ijimere |
| Grip Am | Ise | Ola Rotimi |
| Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh | Prof Ogun | Esiaba Irobi |
Awards and Nomination
- Named Best Supporting Actor at the City People Entertainment Awards in 2014.
- In 2014, he received the Afrifimo Awards (USA) for Best Lead Actor for the second time.
- Eric was named Best Actor in a Leading Role at the Golden Icons Movie Awards (GIAMA) in 2015.
- He was named Best ‘on-screen duet’ at the Golden Icons Movie Awards (GIAMA) in 2015.
- In 2017, he was named Best Actor at the City People Entertainment Awards.
- He was named Best Supporting Actor at the Golden Movie Awards (GMA) in 2018.
- He received the South-South Achievers Awards in 2019. (SSA)
Net Worth
Ken Erics is estimated to have a net worth between $800,000
