Kanayo O. Kanayo is a Nigerian Actor known for “Living in Bondage” (1992), “Ritual” (1997), “Lost Kingdom” (1999), “Across the Niger” (2004), “Desperate Billionaire” (2005), “Apaye” (2014), “October 1” (2014), and “Celebrity Marriage” (2017) He made his debut on the Television series, “The New Masquerade”; and made his film debut in the 1992 Nollywood classic, “Living in Bondage”. In 2006, Kanayo received the award for Best Actor in A Leading Role at the 2nd Africa Movie Academy Awards for his performance in “Family Battle”. Kanayo is one of the pioneers of Nollywood, and a recipient of the 2013 AMAA Special Recognition of Pillars of Nollywood Honorary Award.
Born Anayo Modestus Onyekwere on March 1, 1962, to Donatus and Isabella Onyekwere in Mbaise, Imo State. He holds Diplomas in Mass Communication and Law; a Bachelor of Science degree in Philosophy, and a Masters Degree in Political Science, all from the University of Lagos.
Kanayo, popularly known as KOK rose to prominence as Chief Omego in his film debut, “Living in Bondage”. Prior to his debut in film, Kanayo featured on hit TV shows like: “The New Masquerade”, “The Village Headmaster”, “Ripples” and “Checkmate”. Since debuting in films, Kanayo has starred in a lot of Nollywood films. He owns credits in: Living in Bondage, “When the Sun Sets”, “Rituals”, “Lost Kingdom”, “Desperate Billionaire”, “Across the Niger”, “Circle of Doom”, “Obstacles”, “The Soul that Sinneth”, “The Suitors”, “Battle of Love”, “Salt and Pepper”, “Living Dead”, “Exchange of Power”, “Do or Die Affair”, “Fire on the Mountain”, “Evil Doers”, “Festival of Fire”, “Market Sellers”, “Billionaires Club”, “Negative Influence”, “Broken Plate”, “Abuja Boys”, “Coronation”, “Executive Billionaires”, “Too Much Money”, “The Underworld”, “The Barons”, “The Corridors of Power”, “Rings of Fire”, “Occultic Kingdom”, “Occultic Battle”, “Strangers in Paradise”, “Immoral Act”, “Empire”, “Crazy Passion”, “Dangerous Blind Man”, “Executive Connection”, “Bandit Queen”, “Blood Billionaires”, “Total Control”, “After Dawn”, “Civil Army”, “The Journalist”, “Lacrima”, “Innocent Father”, “Brain Box”, “Million Dollars Sisters”, “The Next Election”, “Angel in Hell”, “Final Risk”, “Big Hit”, “The Trinity”, “Cover Up”, “Emotional Risk”, “Drug Baron”, “Family Separation”, “A Woman’s Authority”, “High Blood Pressure”, “Apaye”, “Blood Against Blood”, “October 1”, and “Celebrity Marriage”.
Besides his successful acting career, Kanayo is a Politician and Public Servant. He contested for a seat in the Federal House of Representative, in representation of Ahiazu-Ezinihitte Mbaise Federal Constituency at the 2011 general elections. In 2013, he was appointed by President Goodluck Jonathan as a board member of the National Institute of Hospitality and Tourism Studies.
Kanayo is married to Nneka Onyekwere and together they have four children; Uloaku Valerie, Kosisochukwu Montell, Einstein, and Clinton.
