With his deep voice and proverbs, Pete Edochie is Nollywood royalty. The former broadcaster became famous as Okonkwo in the 1987 TV adaptation of Things Fall Apart and has played kings and elders for decades.
Quick facts
| Full name | Pete Edochie (Ebubedike) |
|---|---|
| Born | 7 March 1947, Zaria, Kaduna State (from Anambra State) |
| Early career | Broadcaster at Anambra Broadcasting Service from 1967, rose to Director of Programmes |
| Famous role | Okonkwo in Things Fall Apart (NTA, 1987) |
| Honours | MON (2003); AMAA Lifetime Achievement; AMVCA Industry Merit |
| Family | Wife Josephine; six children, including actors Yul and Linc Edochie |
The broadcaster
Edochie joined radio in 1967 and spent years at the Anambra Broadcasting Service, where he rose to Director of Programmes. His voice and command of Igbo proverbs became his trademark.
Okonkwo
In 1987 he played Okonkwo in the NTA adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart. The role made him famous across Africa and shaped the regal, commanding characters he would play for the rest of his career.
Nollywood elder
He has appeared in a long list of films, including Greatest Harvest, Idemili, Lionheart and King Mabutu, usually as a king, chief or father figure. He received the national honour of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) in 2003.
Family
He is married to Josephine Edochie. Their sons include actors Yul Edochie and Linc Edochie. Yul’s polygamous marriage drew public debate in 2022–2023, and Pete’s public comments on it divided opinion.
