UPDATED: Veteran Nollywood actor, Gbenga Richards is dead

The Nollywood industry has been thrown into mourning again as they announced the passing away of veteran actor, Gbenga Richards.

The iconic thespian reportedly died in the early hours of Thursday, May 12, after a long battle with an unidentified ailment.

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Recall that some of his colleagues had in 2021, taken to social media to solicit funds from notable Nigerians to finance his medical treatment.

However, the once-vibrant actor who was a force in the movie industry in the 90s and early 2000s has succumbed to the illness.

Femi Adewale, a media personality and TV Director, announced the tear-dropping news of the actor’s death via his Facebook page on Thursday, May 12.

While sharing the picture of the deceased, he wrote:

“Good night Gbenga Richards.

Another Nollywood icon is gone.

A gem is lost.

My brother and friend is gone to be with his creator.

May the Lord rest ur soul in Jesus name,”

See his post below…

Richards’ Nollywood debut was to represent Nigeria with Hubert Ogunde at the Second World Black and African Festival of African Culture (FESTAC) in 1977.

He also starred in several blockbuster movies during his active years like Sango, Mirror in the Sun, Betrayal by Love, Fighting Machine, and others.