# Zack Orji

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{{Short description|Nigerian actor and filmmaker (born 1960)}}
{{Use Nigerian English|date=September 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Zack Orji
| birth_name         = Zachee Ama Orji
| birth_date         = {{birth year and age|1960}}
| birth_place        = [Libreville](/source/Libreville), Gabon
| death_date         = 
| death_place        = 
| alma_mater         = [University of Nigeria](/source/University_of_Nigeria) [Nsukka](/source/Nsukka)
| occupation         = Actor, director, producer
| years_active       = 1991—present
| known_for          = 
| notable_works      = 
| spouse             = Ngozi Orji
| children           = 3
}}

'''Zachee Ama Orji''' (born 1960) is a Nigerian actor, filmmaker, director, producer, theatre critic and preacher.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Adebayo |first=Tireni |date=21 October 2017 |title=Veteran actor, Zack Orji reveals his battle with cigarettes and Indian hemp |url=https://www.kemifilani.ng/hot-news/veteran-actor-zack-orji-reveals-his |access-date=12 March 2022 |website=Kemi Filani News |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name="vanguardngr.com">{{Cite news |date=29 February 2020 |title=Zack Orji: My life as an actor, singer and preacher of God's word |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/02/zack-orji-my-life-as-an-actor-singer-and-preacher-of-gods-word/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria |access-date=18 July 2022 |newspaper=[Vanguard](/source/Vanguard_(Nigeria)) |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=29 February 2020 |title=Zack Orji: My life as an actor, singer and preacher of God's word |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/02/zack-orji-my-life-as-an-actor-singer-and-preacher-of-gods-word/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria |access-date=25 July 2022 |newspaper=[Vanguard](/source/Vanguard_(Nigeria)) |language=en-GB}}</ref>

== Early life ==
Orji<ref>{{Cite web |title=Igbo Names |url=https://www.myigboname.com/ |access-date=2025-12-14 |website=www.myigboname.com |language=en}}</ref> was born in [Libreville](/source/Libreville), Gabon, where his father worked.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thandiubani |date=2024-05-21 |title=I Am From Gabon, Not Nigeria - Zack Orji Reveals Real Identity (Video) |url=https://www.tori.ng/news/270739/i-am-from-gabon-not-nigeria-zack-orji-reveals-real.html |access-date=2025-12-14 |website=Tori.ng |language=English}}</ref> He is an indigene of Amata Mgbowo in Agwu Local Government Area of  [Enugu State](/source/Enugu_State).<ref>{{Cite news |title=Zack Orji: Profile of Ace Nollywood Actor |url=https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2020/03/10/zack-orji-profile-of-ace-nollywood-actor/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria |access-date=2024-12-04 |language=en-US |newspaper=[P.M. News](/source/P.M._News)}}</ref> He grew up in Cameroon, Benin and Togo, where he became fluent in English and French.<ref>{{Cite web |title=FALED PRODUCTION LIMITED Zack Orji |url=http://www.faledproductionlimited.com/zack_orji.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303220704/http://www.faledproductionlimited.com/zack_orji.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=3 March 2016 |access-date=3 January 2018 |website=www.faledproductionlimited.com}}</ref> He is the eldest of seven children, comprising five girls and two boys.<ref>{{Cite news |last=olukomaiya |first=funmilola |date=March 10, 2020 |title=Zack Orji: profile of ace nollywood actor |url=https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2020/03/10/zack-orji-profile-of-ace-nollywood-actor/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|newspaper=[P.M. News](/source/P.M._News)}}</ref>

== Education ==
Orji graduated from [University of Nigeria](/source/University_of_Nigeria), [Nsukka](/source/Nsukka), with a bachelor's degree in estate management.

== Career ==
In 1991, Orji made his film debut in ''Unforgiven Sin''. In an interview with ''Nollywood Post'', he shared how he got the lead role in the film without auditioning.<ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=Streaming is the next level for Nollywood – Zack Orji |url=https://www.nollywoodpost.com/2020/10/18/zack-orji-streaming-is-the-next-level-for-nollywood/ |access-date=18 October 2019 |website=[Nollywood Post](/source/Nollywood_Post) |archive-date=19 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019122304/https://www.nollywoodpost.com/2020/10/18/zack-orji-streaming-is-the-next-level-for-nollywood/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> He gained wider recognition following the success of ''[Glamour Girls](/source/Glamour_Girls_(1994_film))'' and has since appeared in over 250 Nollywood films.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Idowu |first=Hannah |date=2021-10-14 |title=Everything to know about actor Zack Orji's marriage, wife and children |url=https://dnbstories.com/2021/10/everything-about-zack-orjis-marriage-wife-and-children.html |access-date=2025-12-14 |website=DNB Stories Africa |language=en-GB}}</ref> He is also a singer and preacher.<ref name="vanguardngr.com" />

In 2000, Orji made his directorial debut with ''WEB'', starring alongside Ghanaian actress [Kalsoume Sinare](/source/Kalsoume_Sinare). The film won Best Collaborative Film at the [Ghana awards](/source/List_of_Ghanaian_awards) in 2001.

In 2022, Orji endorsed [Bola Tinubu](/source/Bola_Tinubu) for president ahead of the [2023 presidential election](/source/2023_Nigerian_presidential_election).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Oyero |first=Ezekiel |date=31 July 2022 |title=2023: Zack Orji declares support for Tinubu |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/nollywood/546022-2023-zack-orji-declares-support-for-tinubu.html |access-date=2 August 2022 |newspaper=[Premium Times](/source/Premium_Times)|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=1 August 2022 |title=2023: Zack Orji, wife divided along political lines as she declares support for Peter Obi |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/08/2023-zack-orji-wife-divided-along-political-lines-as-she-declares-support-for-peter-obi/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2 August 2022 |newspaper=[Vanguard](/source/Vanguard_(Nigeria))|language=en-GB}}</ref> 

== Personal life ==
Orji is married to Ngozi Orji and has three children.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Orji |first=Sunday |date=30 October 2016 |title=I prefer singing to acting –Ngozi, Zack Orji's wife |url=https://www.sunnewsonline.com/i-prefer-singing-to-acting-ngozi-zack-orjis-wife/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=18 July 2022 |newspaper=[The Sun](/source/The_Sun_(Nigeria))|language=en-us}}</ref> He established a charity organisation that supports people living with disabilities and other disadvantaged groups. He is a former president of the [Actor's Guild of Nigeria](/source/Actors_Guild_of_Nigeria). He has also been involved in businesses including real estate.<ref>{{Cite news |last=olukomaiya |first=funmilola |date=March 10, 2020 |title=zack orji: profile of ace nollywood actor |url=https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2020/03/10/zack-orji-profile-of-ace-nollywood-actor/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|newspaper=[P.M. News](/source/P.M._News)}}</ref>

In a 2024 interview with ''[Punch Nigeria](/source/The_Punch)'', Orji stated that he had undergone two brain surgeries in Nigeria, an experience that taught him to have faith in the country's healthcare system.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chima |first=Naomi |date=2024-04-26 |title=What my sickness taught me — Zack Orji |url=https://punchng.com/what-my-sickness-taught-me-zack-orji/ |access-date=2025-12-14 |newspaper=[The Punch](/source/The_Punch)|language=en-US}}</ref>

== Filmography ==
*''Unforgiven Sin'' (1991)
*''[Living in Bondage](/source/Living_in_Bondage)'' (1992)
*''Iva'' (1993)
*''[Living in Bondage 2](/source/Living_in_Bondage)'' (1993)
*''[Glamour Girls](/source/Glamour_Girls_(1994_film))<ref>{{Cite news |date=21 May 2022 |title=Character I Played In Blood Sisters A Dream Role – Genoveva Umeh |url=https://independent.ng/character-i-played-in-blood-sisters-a-dream-role-genoveva-umeh/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=18 July 2022 |newspaper=[Independent](/source/Independent_(Nigeria))|language=en-GB}}</ref>'' (1994) as Fred
*''[Nneka the Pretty Serpent](/source/Nneka_the_Pretty_Serpent_(1994_film))'' (1994)
*''Rattle Snake'' (1995)
*''True Confession'' (1995)
*''Brotherhood of the Darkness'' (1995) as Pastor Josiah
*''Blood on My Hands'' (1996)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blood on my hands |url=https://worldcat.org/title/70745773 |access-date=2023-10-17 |website=WorldCat}}</ref>
*''Deadly Passion'' (1996)
*''Glamour Girls 2'' (1996)
*''Silent Night'' (1996)
*''Love in Vendetta'' (1996)
*''Abandon'' (1997)
*''Blood Money'' (1997) as Mike Mouka
*''Blood Vapour'' (1997)
*''Desperate & Dangerous'' (1997)
*''Dead End'' (1997?)
*''Deadly Affair II'' (1997)
*''Garbage'' (1997)
*''Golden Fleece'' (1997)
*''Diamond Ring 2'' (1998)
*''Evil Men'' (1998)
*''[Karishika](/source/Karishika)'' (1998)
*''Sakobi 2: The Final Battle'' (1998)
*''Witches'' (1998) as Desmond
*''Day of Reckoning'' (1999)
*''Endtime'' (1999)
*''The Bastard'' (1999)
*''Asimo'' (1999) as Pastor Tito
*''The Visitor'' (1999) as Frank
*''Lost Hope'' (2000) as Maxwell
*''Fire Dancer'' (2001) as Daniel
*''Hatred'' (2001) as Gideon
*''Late Arrival'' (2001)
*''Mothering Sunday'' (2001) as Humphrey
*''Mothers Cry'' (2001)
* ''Fire Dancer'' (2001) as Daniel
*''Last Warning'' (2002) as Obidike
*''Submission'' (2002)
*''Days of Glory'' (2002?)
*''Endtime 2'' (2003)
*''Oga and His Boys'' (2003) as Ejike
*''Bonds of Tradition'' (2004) (also director)
*''Games Women Play'' (2005) as Damian
*''[Women's Cot](/source/Women's_Cot)'' (2005)
*''Chameleon'' (2006)
*''Light Out'' (2006)
*''The Blues Kingdom'' (2007) (director only)
*''Land of Shadow'' (2010) (also director)
*''Tongue'' (2014) as Pastor Michael
*''Head Gone'' (2015?)
*''Brothers of Faith'' (2016)
*''Three Wise Men'' (2017)
*''Descent (2017)'' as Kalu Achebe
*''Payday'' (2018) as Mr. Afolayan
*''Just One Blood'' (2018) as Chief Odogwu
*''The Williams'' (2018) as Mr. Williams
*''[Code Wilo](/source/Code_Wilo)'' (2019)
*''[Our Jesus Story](/source/Our_Jesus_Story)'' (2020)
*''Sweet Face''<ref name=":0" /> (2020) as Old Tobi
*''Big Town''<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Zack Orji |url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1310918/ |access-date=2 September 2021 |website=IMDb}}</ref> (2021)
*''[Love Castle](/source/Love_Castle)'' (2021) as Chizutere's Father
*''[Blood Sisters](/source/Blood_Sisters_(2022_TV_series))'' (2022) as David
*''[Half Of a Yellow Sun](/source/Half_of_a_Yellow_Sun_(film))'' (2013) as Chief Ozobia
*''The Other Man (2022)<ref name="imdb.com">{{Cite web |title=Zack Orji {{!}} Actor, Director, Writer |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1310918/ |access-date=2024-06-17 |website=IMDb |language=en-US}}</ref>''
*''The Other Wife'' (2022)<ref name="imdb.com"/>
*''[Inside Life](/source/Inside_Life_(2022_film))'' (2022)
*''Violet'' (2023) as Mr. Chris
*''Black Harvest'' (2023)
*''Flip Side'' (2023) as Chief Uzoma
*''Terror Muda in Courier Justice'' (2024) as Chief Abidja
*''Something About the Briggs'' (2025)<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt35185591/fullcredits/ |title=Something About the Briggs (2025) - Full cast & crew - IMDb |language=en-US |access-date=2025-12-14 |via=www.imdb.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dufe |first=Sahndra Fon |date=2025-01-23 |title=Something About the Briggs (2025): A Love, Marriage, and Family Drama You Can't Miss!! |url=https://www.blackfilmwire.com/post/something-about-the-briggs-2025-a-love-marriage-and-family-drama-you-can-t-miss |access-date=2025-12-14 |website=Black Film Wire |language=en}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.thetimesofnigeria.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=269&Itemid=90&PHPSESSID=0c0bb0c163cffecc98b8fcfaae09e417 An interview with Zack]{{Dead link|date=January 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}
*{{IMDb name|1310918}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Orji, Zack}}
Category:1960 births
Category:Living people
Category:Nigerian male film actors
Category:University of Nigeria alumni
Category:Igbo male actors
Category:Nigerian film directors
Category:20th-century Nigerian male actors
Category:21st-century Nigerian male actors
Category:Nigerian male television actors
Category:Nigerian film producers

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Zack Orji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zack_Orji) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zack_Orji?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.