Rotimi Salami is not a name that rings so much bell in the Nigerian movie industry (he is “Jack of all Trade ‘JOAT'” skits on MNet – African Magic). It is a name, however, that has been associated with a brilliant actor, dozens of films and awards. Here are a few things we know about the actor that includes his education, career, movies, breakthrough African Magic Viewers Choice Award (AMVCA).
First, we must point out that African Magic is not the only award he has won. While the Best Supporting Actor award at the 2017 African Magic Viewers’ Choice Award (AMVCA), in March 2018 is the one many associate him with and is the award that could have opened the door for a wider reach for him, the award is, however, not the only recognition he has gotten. He was the recipient of the Promising Act to Watch at the City People Entertainment Awards in 2014.
Early life and career
Rotimi Salami attended St. Mary’s Nursery and Primary School, Ajangbadi. For his junior secondary education, he went to Abeokuta Grammar School, Abeokuta, Ogun State. He bagged a degree in Sociology from Lagos State University.
2007 might not sound like a generation ago, but it is not yesterday. In the life of an upcoming actor, it is a very long time again. In Nigeria, an actor can make up to a century of movies at this time. Rotimi is not a centurion, yet, but he has made a fair amount of movies. The impression many have about the Lagos born actor is that he is new in the industry. You might just have heard of his name but in a movie or see him cart an award away, he is no gatecrasher. The actor has been in the scene all this while.
His list of screen appearances is long and impressive. He has been featured in Wale Adenuga Production’s “Super Story” and “This Life”; he was in the new “Papa Ajasco” by the aforementioned production, “Tinsel”, “Jemeji” UNICEF sponsored “Cascade”, “Crack in the Wall” and a ton of others including Yoruba films.
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“I thought I was dreaming when I first heard the host call my name,” he said afterward. He was just contented with the nomination knowing the force he was against. “But the audience had their pick and I was picked. I thank God and appreciate all those who voted for me.” They must have seen something in him that they voted for him. Salami knew he had this in him but when he climbed on stage, he was moved to tears.
Rotimi Salami is more than just an actor
He is equally a producer, a set designer, and a director. Not just a director for the sake of being called that, he has invested on that aspect of his career by earning a diploma in directing from the New York Film Academy. His debut in the production level came in 2010 when he produced and directed Kuti’s Career Palace, a short television series inspired by the life and career of legendary musician Fela Anikulapo Kuti (the second season returned in 2014). Salami also produced and directed, in 2012, two films Beautiful World and Letter to my Mother.
In addition to this, Salami is the Chief Executive Officer of Monski Media Concept a company VConnect described as “mainly into advertising, entertainment, marketing and offering movie production, media advertising, movies editor, movie production service. You must have been thought to always spread your income across different sources. Rotimi Salami lives that.
Rotimi Salami is happily married
Perhaps, we ought to just say he is married. But he says his marriage is one of the best things that has ever happened to him so he must be giddy with happiness in his marriage. Ironically, Salami won the AMVCA Best Supporting Actor of the year was named: Rotimi Salami for his role as Lati in “Just Not Married”.
Rotimi Salami’s marriage is a surprise to many as his youngish look makes a lot think of him as a youth. He is not that kind of youth. He is a married man. He is married to Jumoke Arinola, not recently even. The duo got married in June 2015. He once confessed to Punch Newspaper that his wife once stopped him from leaving acting at a low point of his career.
Image source: Punch
