Stephanie Okereke Linus is a Nigerian film actress, screenwriter, producer and director. She is one of the pioneers of Nollywood. She made her acting debut as a teenager in the 1997, starring in “Compromise 2” and “Waterloo”. Her directorial debut was in the 2008 film, “Through the Glass”, which she also wrote, produced and starred. In 2011, she was decorated by the Nigerian government with a National honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR), for her contributions to the film industry. In 2016, she won Best Overall Film for “Dry”.
Born Stephanie Onyekachi Okereke in Ngor Okpala, Imo State to Mary and Chima Okereke. She is the sixth of eight children. She grew up in Delta State where she attended primary and secondary schools, and went on to the University of Calabar where she bagged a degree in English and Literary Studies. Later on she proceeded to the New York Film Academy and graduated in 2007.
Stephanie began acting in secondary school before making her screen debut in 1997, just after graduation. In 2002 she starred in “The Pretender” and “Blind Justice”. Following the success of the films and the fame she garnered, Stephanie became a household name and starred in films like: “Emotional Crack”, “Private Sin”, “Aristos”, “Together As One”, “Queen Sheba”, “Dream Lover”, “Magic Moment”, “Last Girl Standing”, “Beautiful Face”, “Critical Decision”, “Deep Loss”, “Eye of the Gods”, “Miss Nigeria”, “More Than A Woman”, “Official Romance”, “Promise and Fail”, “Promise me Forever”, “Sensational Spy”, “Virgins Night Out”, “Working Class Lady”, “To Love Again”, “Ola: The Morning Sun”, “Lonely Hearts”, “A Time to Die”, “Days of Bondage”, “Guys On The Line”, “Omalinze”, “Street Fame”, “Royal Battle”, “Windfall”, “Woman On Top”, “Sitanda”, “Upside Down”, “Daytime Lovers”, “Governor’s Wife”, “A Time to Love”, “Mission to Nowhere”, “Hidden Treasure”, “Nnenda” and “Reloaded”.
In 2008, she released “Through the Glass”, her debut as a filmmaker. In 2014, she released her sophomore film, “Dry”, which she wrote and directed.
In 2017, a law suit was filed against Stephanie by Daniella Madudu, (Author: Behind the Veil) with claims that the actress and filmmaker stole the storyline for Dry, from her book, Behind the Veil.
Stephanie married ex footballer, Chikelue Iloenyosi in 2004. In the following year, she was unfortunately involved in a car accident, on her way to the AMAA Awards that left her with burns and fractured legs. She recovered well and in 2007, she separated from , Chikelue Iloenyosi, and in 2012, their marriage was declared null and void because as at the time of their marriage in 2004, Iloenyosi was married to another woman. In 2012, Stephanie married Linus Idahosa in Paris, France. The couple has a son, Maxwell (born in October 2015).
