By Busayo Oyinloye
Jide Kosoko, born on 12th of January, 1954, is a veteran Nigerian actor,
director, and producer, renowned for his immense contributions to
Nollywood.

He hailed from the royal Kosoko family in Lagos state, Kosoko’s royal
heritage earned him the title Omo oba (prince) in Yoruba.
Kosoko finished from Yaba College of Education, where he bagged an HND in Business Administration, however at 60, the Nollywood star went to Olabisi Onabanjo University Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, where he bagged a degree in Performing Arts.
He has been involved in acting since when he was very young and is
among the actor that started as child actors.
At the age of 10 in 1964, Jide Kosoko acted in a stage play titled
Makanjuola, which was produced by Ifelodun Traveling Theatre Group.
Kosoko gained attention after he participated in a pidgin English
programme titled Awada Kerikeri alongside prominent artists like Lanre
Hassan, Oga Bello, and Sunday Omobolanle.
Growing up in Ebute Metta, Lagos, Kosoko was inspired by legendary
dramatist, Hubert Ogunde and pursued acting with passion, leading him to form his own theatre troupe in 1972.

Kosoko’s career spans over five decades, during which he has featured in countless films, both in English and Yoruba, and has become one of
Nollywood’s most respected figures.
Some of his notable works include Asewo to re Mecca, Ti Oluwa Ni Le Part 2, and Asiri n la, which he produced in 1992.
Other movies he has featured in include “Nkan La”, “Ora Nla”, “Out of
Luck”, “Jenifa”, “The Royal Hibiscus”, “Hotel King of Boys”, “Sugar Rush”, “Merrymen”, “Bling Lagosians” and “Love is War.”
His talent extends beyond acting, with significant contributions as a
director and producer, shaping the evolution of the Nigerian film industry.
Kosoko’s influence has also attracted several brand endorsements, awards and nominations such as: Lifetime Achievement Award at the City People Movie Awards in 2017, Special Recognition Award at the City People Movie Awards in 2018, Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards.
In 2021, he was also nominated for Outstanding Male Actor at the Abuja
International Film Festival for his performance in Love Castle.
Kosoko was married to four women, and three out of them are late,
including Henrietta, who was a Nollywood actress until her death in June
2016. Jide Kosoko is now married to Alhaja Karimat.
The veteran actor is blessed with 12 children, but only a few of them are
known to the media, and they are Bidemi, Shola, Temilade, Tunji, Muyiwa, and Tunde Kosoko.