Bruno Iwuoha (6 October 1952 – 10 April 2021) was a Nigerian actor and filmmaker, best known for his roles in films “Fire on the Mountain” (2002), “No Nonsense” (2003), and “Sins of the Flesh” (2007).
Bruno was among the Nollywood actors who you could trust to give his best to fit into every role he is cast in. With decades of acting experience to his name, the veteran actor made a name for himself as one of the best old hands the industry ever had. in recognition for his efforts, he received a number of awards, including one at the 3rd Africa Movie Academy Awards.
Bruno Iwuoha’s Biography Summary
- Full name: Sir Bruno Obinna Iwuoha
- Gender: Male
- Date of birth: 6 October 1952
- Died on: 10 April 2021
- Ethnicity: Igbo
- State of Origin: Imo State
- Nationality: Nigerian
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
- Religion: Christianity
- Marital Status: Married
- Bruno Iwuoha’s Children: 6
- Famous for: “Sins of the Flesh” (2007)
Bruno Hails from Imo State, South East Nigeria
Sir Bruno Obinna Iwuoha was born to his parents who resided in Aba, Abia State. The veteran actor hails from Ehime Mbano Local Government Area in Umunumo Umuanunu kindred, Imo State. He shares the same state with other actors like Francis Duru, Micheal Godson, Saint Obi, Kanyo O Kanayo, and Fabian Adibe, who are still very much active in the industry.
Though further information about his parents and family is not available at the moment, it is clear that the veteran actor belongs to the Igbo ethnic group. It is also a fact that he spent much of his early years in the Southeast and his parents were devout Catholics.
Details about his educational background are also not available, but, according to the actor, he went through a minor seminary with the hope to become a priest, but he abandoned it as his father objected to it because as the first son of the family, he wanted him to get married and not to become a celibate.
How Bruno Joined the Nigerian Film Industry
Bruno was certainly not one of those actors who developed a passion for acting since childhood. Acting for Bruno came by accident. Before joining Nollywood, he was a contractor with NAFCON as a principal registered contractor at Onne in Port Harcourt. He was then called to play a role in a movie produced and directed at Aba by the late Ndubuisi Okoh. The movie director was looking for somebody who could act as an old man, someone with natural grey hair and not artificial.
Through a close friend who gave out his contact, Bruno received his first movie script accompanied by a letter of invitation. The rest, they say, is history. Today, he is regarded among the pillars of the Nigerian movie industry, otherwise known as Nollywood.
He joined the industry when it was still at its prime. However, he did not gain much popularity until the early 2000s when he appeared in the leading role for a good number of Nigerian films, including the 2002 movie Fire on the Mountain (1 and 2). The movie had him sharing the screen with other well-known Nollywood veterans like Chinwetalu Agu, Patience Ozokwo, and Kanayo O Kanayo.
Bruno is also known for his role in a 2003 movie titled No Nonsense. The movie was directed by MacCollins Chidebe and has Bruno acting as Patience Ozokwo’s husband. Also included in the movie are actors like Chidi Ihesie, late Muna Obiekwe, Susan Obi, and Charles Okafor.
Bruno’s appearance in the 2007 movie “Sins of the Flesh” not only gave his acting career a long-expected rise to fame in the industry, but it also offered him what could serve as his very first award. Appearing alongside actress, film producer, and director, Chioma Chukwuka Akpotha, Bruno won the Best Supporting Actor award at the 3rd Africa Movie Academy Awards for his performance in the movie. Chioma also won the Best Actress in a Lead Role award for her role in the same movie.
Bruno Iwuoha’s Movies
- World Apart
- Magic Cap
- Keeping Close
- Another Bondage
- Faces Of Love
- Sins Of The Flesh
- Days Of Hatred
- Two Bad Boys
- Double Mind
- Forever Yours
- My Own Share
- My Portfolio
- Occultic Battle
- The Price and The Princess
- Eagle’s Bride
- Jealous Lovers
Though largely regarded as an actor, Bruno Iwuoha, until his death, still continued his job as a contractor. As a registered contractor, he used his income from his business to augment whatever he got from acting.
Was Bruno Iwuoha Married or Single?
Mr. Bruno Iwuoha was a married man. While details about his family are scarce, he was said to be married to the love of his life, and together they had six children. Unfortunately, none of his children is known by the public. Apparently, none of them followed in their father’s footsteps to join the movie industry.
What caused Bruno Iwuoha’s Death?
Chief Bruno Obinna Iwuoha died in the early hours of Saturday, April 10, 2021, at the age of 68. The actor reportedly had a prolonged battle with diabetes and was even in a coma for about three weeks, at the National Hospital Abuja, where he died.
Prior to his death, Bruno reportedly went partially blind after battling Glaucoma for several years without money for corrective surgery. The veteran actor who was a guest on a radio station in Abuja opened up on his battle with the life-threatening disease while soliciting about N3.5 million for eye surgery. The actor said he never knew he had diabetes until a violent armed robbery attack landed him in the hospital.
While he was managing his health condition, Iwuoha also revealed that his visual impairment affected his acting career as he was not allowed to strain his eyes for so long, else, he would be led by the hand to anywhere around his house. During his interview with Brekete Family Program on 104.5FM in Abuja in 2015, the actor sought the help of kind-hearted Nigerians because he was referred to a US-based hospital where he is required to pay a whopping N3.5 million.
While battling diabetes, Bruno was wheelchair-bound for several weeks. Many Nigerians made donations to support his medical trip abroad, and a popular businessman named Emeka Ugwuejiofor footed his trip to the US. After a few weeks of treatment abroad, he returned home feeling much better although he was asked to stay away from work for at least a year. He partially returned to the movie industry in 2019 and starred in the movie Silent Prejudice produced by Chris Kalu and released in 2020.