Nollywood's finest

Original Diva

Liz Benson was one of Nigeria's leading actresses whose face, charisma and versatility were a major assurance of the marketability of any film. She was so popular that fans felt that all a dead script needed was her touch.

She got her big break on the 1993 Television series Fortunes after playing minor roles on Third Eye and Ripples, both of which aired on NTA in the 1980s.

Following the immense success and popularity which trailed Fortunes, she soon found herself playing the lead role in the 1994 blockbuster Glamour Girls alongside Dolly Unachukwu, Ngozi Ezeonu and Eucharia Anunobi. She went on to feature in more hits including True Confessions (1995), Witches (1998) and Èèkù-idà (2002).

Spreading her wings

Off screen, the Dramatic Arts graduate distinguished herself when she perfectly portrayed Tituibi in Femi Osofisan's play, Morountodun, a role which has been described as her best stage performance ever.

Besides acting, the Akwa-Ibom born actress was also a model, notably in bill boards and print ad campaigns for fashion brand, Collectibles and a television commercial for the Universal Trust Bank. She also endorsed a Central Bank awareness programme about keeping the naira Clean alongside Aluwe and Zebrudaya. She also had a stint as a television presenter on the show Banking and You.

A new kind of love

However, the fame and fortune had its down sides as the actress was repeatedly linked romantically to various men including fellow actor Saint Obi (who often played her lover in movies) and former Ghanaian President Jerry Rawlings.

But, in 2004, with fans looking forward to more films from the mother of three, she became a born again evangelist and left the movie scene.

Speaking about life as an evangelist, she said "My message is to set the captives free, preach His word, to turn around, humble myself and make wake-up calls towards the coming of the Lord. He who is fulfilling in the performing art industry is worth fulfilling in evangelism. But the greatest fulfilment comes when you know your purpose in life. My acting days were really fulfilling for me, but not as fulfilling as now, knowing full well that I am a vessel in the hand of the most high God. What else can I ask for? It is such a wonderful privilege."

In 2007, she made a brief comeback in the Yoruba film Toko Taya opposite Rycardo Agbor, Jumai Joeph and Bimbo Akintola but has not returned to the screens since. On April 8, 2009, the 45-year-old actress who was widowed in her mid 20s (barely six years into that marriage), tied the knot in Abuja with Great Ameye, a bishop and minister of Freedom Family Assembly, a church in Delta State. She is now actively involved in evangelism with her husband in Delta State. However, if recent rumours are anything to go by, fans will be delighted to know that she is planning a comeback. We can only hope this is true.

Additional info: NIGERIANFILMS.COM, MODERNGHANA.COM