Veteran Nollywood actor Emmanuel France, renowned for his iconic roles in Domitilla (1996) and The Curfew (2021), has passed away at the age of 84. The news of his death was shared by filmmaker Olufemi Ogedengbe via Instagram on Monday.
Ogedengbe wrote, “Rest in peace to one of Nollywood’s legends, Uncle Emmanuel France. I took him to Tanzania in 2006, and we shot three movies together: Cross My Sin, She Is My Sister, and The Director.” The cause of death remains undisclosed at this time.
Born in Kano State, Emmanuel France joined the Nigerian movie industry in the 1980s and became well-known for his compelling portrayal of Witch Doctor roles. His performance in Suicide Mission made his famous catchphrase, “Tufancha,” a cultural reference among Nollywood enthusiasts.
Before transitioning to Nollywood, France had a successful career in Ghana where he started his professional journey in filmmaking, writing his first script for a stage play in 1967. Throughout his illustrious career, France starred in over 373 productions, including films, television dramas, and soap operas.
Despite his success, Emmanuel France often spoke out against the fee disparities and lack of recognition that plagued his career, lamenting how the business of Nollywood often prioritized profit over excellence. His final movie role was in Men of the Century (Hook or Crook), released in July 2024.
