Legendary Nollywood actor Sam Loco Efe is one of the most hilarious actors in Nigeria. Sam Loco is popularly known since his career in Nollywood for featuring in comedy movies. We will share some facts about Sam Loco that you perhaps didn’t know about.
Sam Loco is Dead
Sam Loco Efe, a legend in Nollywood, can not be forgotten in haste. He is one of the most talented, gifted, and hilarious actors in the Nigerian movie space. Unfortunately, Sam Loco died on 7th August 2011, at the age of 65 years old during a movie set, in his hotel room in Owerri, Imo State. Reports say that the cause of his death was due to high blood pressure prior to the fact that Sam Loco was addicted to smoking. The news further stated that Sam Loco slumped and died while in his hotel room in Owerri.
Facts about Ini Edo you apparently didn’t know
Sam Loco has been acting for more than 20 years
Sam Loco Efe is mostly featured in comedy Nollywood movies and is always known for his use of heavy grammatical undefined words. He was described as one of the best comic actors in Nollywood and also one of the best-performing Nollywood actors of all time. Sam Loco was known for playing roles of a father, grandfather, and uncle often in several Nollywood movies. He has been in the industry for more than 2 decades (20 years) little wonder he was regarded as one of the pioneers of the Nollywood movie industry. Sam Loco Efe was one of the most sought-after actors in Nigeria until his death.
Sam Loco’s mum was a petty trader
Sam Loco, who was born Sam Loco Efeeimwonkiyeke on 25th December 1945 in Enugu state, died on 7th August 2011 at the age of 65. His father hails from a Benin ancestry and worked in the Eastern part of Nigeria with his mother, who was a petty trader and also sold bean cakes. Sam Loco spent most of his childhood in Abakaliki, the capital city of Ebonyi State. Sam Loco Efe is originally from Benin City, although he was born and bred in Abakaliki, Enugu state. He lost his father at a very young age leaving him with his mother to aid in her trade to earn a living.
Sam Loco started acting in a primary school
Sam Loco’s first experience with acting was during his primary school days when the school’s theatre group devised a play titled “The Doctor.” He played the role of Julius Caesar in a Shakespearean play and got himself a scholarship. Sam Loco Efe finished his primary and secondary school education at Abakaliki in Enugu state. He obtained his First School Leaving Certificate and West African Senior School Certificate in the exact location. Sam Loco dived into acting after completing his primary and secondary school education. He joined a traveling theatre group and also played football. This earned him the title of “Locomotive.”
Sam Loco was a Biafran Soldier
Nigerian legendary actor Sam Loco Efe also fought in the Biafran war as a soldier. He fought during the Nigeria Civil War that lasted for three years, 1967-1970. After the war ceased, Sam Loco took up his football self as he journeyed to Lagos, seeking a better football career. In Lagos in 1972, he applied for a job with Michelin Tyres, which he got. He actually applied for the position in the tire company without knowing how to drive, so he worked at Michelin for many years selling tires in Lagos, Ijebu Ode, and Abeokuta as a sales rep. A few years later, Sam Loco left Michelin Tires for Dunlop Tires for a higher position as a Senior Sales Representative in the Tires and Allied products division.
Sam Loco’s first movie was aired on NTA
While working for Dunlop in Edo State, Sam Loco was listed for an NTA drama series titled “The Gods are not to Blame,” which was written by Ola Rotimi. In 1977 he finally left his Sales representative job to pursue a career in acting full-time. He joined the Nigerian movie Nollywood in 1992. Sam Loco auditioned and got a lead role in a movie titled “Langbodo.”
Sam Loco Efe being gifted, skillful, creative, and talented in acting, acted out his roles seamlessly. He has acted in more Nollywood movies than recorded. Some of the movies where Sam Loco has acted include;
- Tom and Jerry
- Final World Cup
- My Love
- Ukwa
- Osuofia in London
- Atinga
Sam Loco is an award-winning actor
Sam Loco Efe features in comedy movies, as we’ve already stated. He is intelligently creative, and he’s also described as one of the “Best and Most outstanding comic actors” in Nigeria. Sam Loco Efe has bagged several awards including:
- Best Comic Actor in Nigeria – Africa Movie Academy Awards
- Most Promising Actor in Nigeria – Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards
- Best Actor in a Comedy – City People Entertainment Awards.
- Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR)
Sam Loco Net Worth
Sam Loco Efe prior to his demise had an estimated net worth of over $400,000. He was one of the richest and most actors in Nollywood. In 2009, Sam Loco was honored as a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR), the highest honor an award given to a celebrity in Nigeria for contributing to the nation’s economy.