Veteran Nigerian actor Femi Branch has issued a powerful rebuke to fellow actors whom he accuses of failing to fully commit to their roles, branding them “frauds” and “cheats” for maintaining the same appearance and persona across multiple films.
In an explosive interview with HipTV, Branch expressed frustration over what he sees as a lack of professionalism among some Nollywood actors.
“You have someone that calls himself an actor and he has just one look in every film. I’m sorry dude, you’re not professional. You’re a fraud,” Branch stated.
He emphasized that true acting demands transformation, both physically and emotionally, to convincingly embody different characters.
Branch criticized actors who rely on their natural identities, arguing that such performances burden the audience by forcing them to mentally detach the actor from the character.
“The audience has to keep convincing themselves that it’s not you—they’re doing your job for you. You’re giving them stress!”
He cited the dedication of Hollywood actors like Michael Fassbender and Joaquin Phoenix, praising their willingness to undergo dramatic changes—gaining or losing weight, shaving heads, or using prosthetics—to deliver believable portrayals.
“If you have to go bald, you go bald. If you have to carry warts on your face, you carry warts! Your body doesn’t belong to you—it belongs to the craft.”
According to Branch, seasoned producers and directors can easily distinguish between actors with real range and those focused only on appearance.
“That’s why you’ll never see such actors in serious projects. Producers and directors know how to sift the wheat from the chaff. Who cares about your good looks? People are paying for characters they can relate with—not your selfies.”
A Proven Example of Versatility
Femi Branch’s own career stands as proof of his commitment to the craft. In recent years, he has taken on a diverse range of challenging roles:
-
In 2023, he starred as Mide in Adire, which premiered in cinemas on November 3 and landed on Netflix in January 2024.
-
In 2024, he portrayed Odun, a wealthy 1980s farmer, in Farmer’s Bride, which was released nationwide on September 27.
-
Most notably, Branch took on the title role of Bashorun Ga’a in House of Ga’a, a 2024 historical epic directed by Bolanle Austen-Peters. The film, set in the 18th-century Oyo Empire, details the rise and fall of a notorious kingmaker.
Branch’s performance in House of Ga’a drew critical acclaim, helping the film reach No. 1 in Nigeria and earn a place in Netflix’s Top 10 global non-English films, with 3.4 million views in just five days.
