Yes, I’ve Been Close To Death –Rykardo Agbo

He was born in Lagos but hails from Cross River State. Model cum actor, Rykardo Agbor, who started his career in 1992, has featured prominently in both English and Yoruba movies. The graduate of Mass Communication opens up to Entertainer on sundry issues. Excerpts:

How did you start acting?

My acting career started as far back as 1992 when one of my friends, Leo Merenini took me to an audition in Ojuelegba, Lagos. As fate would have it, I got picked for a sub-lead role, and the rest is history.

You are not Yoruba but you have featured prominently in Yoruba movies more than English, why?

(Smiles) Yes, I am not a Yoruba man but I feature in Yoruba movies very well. What I know is that, when I joined the industry, my spoken Yoruba was not good as this; people didn't believe that I could do it, but later people liked me and they started inviting me to feature in their movies. But I got invitation to feature in Yoruba movies more than English.

When you told your parents that you were going into acting, what was their reaction?

At first, my parents never wanted me to go into acting because they felt it was for dropouts. When I told them, they were not happy with me at all, they didn't want me to do it but I insisted. When they noticed that all their efforts to persuade me otherwise proved abortive, they left me alone. They said they would wait for the result, because to them I should be working in an office and earning good salary, which was more assured. But after some years, they started seeing my popularity. Today, they are proud of me and always pray for me to be greater.

For how long have you been in the industry and how many movies have you produced?

I’ve been in the industry for over two decades now and I’ve featured in quite a number of movies. But I have not shot any movie of my own.

Out of the movies you’ve acted, which one do you love most?

I love them all so I can’t place one above the rest. You know, it’s difficult for me to mention one or two that I love most. It’s like having four children and loving one most among them, but a good parent would not show it. A good parent would treat them equally. So, I love all my movies.

How many awards have you won to date?

Aaah, I have won many awards and I can’t mention all. But I can mention a few of them like City People award, Most Prominent Actor award (2012), YMAA Best Cross Over Actor (2013) and Cross River State Prestigious Award (2013).

How do you cope with your female admirers and have you ever come across a crazy one, if yes, what crazy thing did she do to you?

With female admirers one has to apply wisdom not to go overboard. Yes, I had one some years ago. She went on the social media to say people should stay away from me; that I am a fraudster, only because I refused to go down with her. To me, it was really shocking because God knows I had never met with the girl in question. She did such a thing because I refused her advances. However, she got serious tongue lashing from other fans that I didn't need to fight her at all. So for me, it’s always God fighting my cause. She eventually came back begging me to forgive and forget.

Does your wife love your profession or she didn't have a choice than to like it?

My wife has been so wonderful to me. She has always loved my acting career, likewise my kids. My wife is my biggest fan because she likes what I am doing and she’s always waiting for my movie to be released. She would watch and criticise the movie constructively. For me, aside God, it’s only my wife that believes and supports my dream to be an actor.

What do you do apart from acting?

Other than acting, I do occasional buying and selling of any kind of goods. I don’t rely on acting alone.

What can you say you’ve achieved since you debuted in the industry?

Achievements are best evaluated by others and not by one self. I believe the job one does to feed his family and meet other important responsibilities is by the grace of God, so one should thank the Lord for giving the grace.

When was your happiest moment?

My happiest moment was when the doctor told me that my wife had delivered a set of twins. I was so excited that day; my heart was filled with joy. I looked at myself and said Baba emi le seyi fun tan (Father, you've done this much for me?).

Tell us about your saddest moment and have you been close to death?

My saddest moment was when I lost my mom. Yes, I have been close to death once. I was so sick and they had to pass 36 drips into my body in a day to bring me back to life. That was in 1992.

How do you spend your leisure time?

I spend my leisure time with my family and friends. If I am not at work, I stay with my wife and kids. I love kids so much, most especially, my children.

What are you working on now?

Currently, I’m shooting a movie in Ibadan called ‘Koboko’ directed by Uzodimma Opkeche. It would soon come out and I beg all my friends and fans to get their copies immediately it comes out. I pray that God will continue to bless them.

What are your fears?

My major fear was thinking that actors were poor, and that the profession doesn’t offer benefits after retirement. But I thank God that our association’s president, Prince Dele Odule is working on that and I believe it would materialise very soon.