Frederick Leonard (born 1 May 1976, Age: 47 years old) is a multi-award-winning Nigerian actor from Anambra State. He is known for many of his movies, including Tailor My Heart (2018), For Better for Trouble (2021), and Dirty Ambition (2021) among others.
At 47 and only a few decades into showbusiness, Frederick has successfully grown his career into becoming an A-list actor with roles in a good number of top-rated Nollywood movies. Frederick loves acting and he is getting all that he deserves from the industry – from the fame to the wealth and the satisfaction- but there are some facts about his life and career that is hardly ever seen on TV.
Frederick Leonard’s Profile
- Full Name: Frederick Nnaemeka Leonard
- Date of Birth: May 1, 1976
- Age: 47 years old
- State of Origin: Anambra State
- Place of Birth: Anambra State
- Alma Mata: Kaduna State Polytechnic
- Course of Study: Biochemistry
- Profession: Acting
- Years Active: 2001–Present
- Net Worth: $420,000
- Marital Status: Single
The Actor Hails from Anambra State, South-East Nigeria
Frederick Nnaemeka Leonard is of the Igbo tribe. He hails from Nnewi in Anambra but he was raised in Lagos Nigeria along with his sibling. Frederick had a very memorable childhood, the kind every child would love to have.
He practically enjoyed a life of luxury and thanks to his father’s wealth he got everything he wanted as a child. His father owned an amusement park in Lagos where Frederick often visits.
The would-be actor completed all levels of his education in Lagos State. He got his first school leaving certificate after completing his primary school education at St. Peter’s Anglican Primary School at Alausa, Ikeja. He then attended and graduated from Oregun High School in the capital of Lagos State.
Leonard further proceeded to study Biochemistry at one of Nigeria’s leading tertiary institutions. He earned his HND degree from Kaduna State Polytechnic and that brought his formal education to a close.
Frederick Became a Nollywood Star at 32 Years Old
Frederick is one of the many celebrities who discovered their acting skills while they were in the tertiary institution studying a course entirely different from acting. Leonard debuted in the Nigerian movie industry in 2001 where he played a short one-scene role.
He took a break from acting almost immediately to complete his university education. He returned to the industry in 2008 and secured his first lead role in Indian Doctor, also in the same year. Frederick’s big break came after this film.
The 2008 blockbuster movie not only attracted him to more producers and directors, but it also won him two distinguished awards at the African Movie Awards and African Magic Viewers Choice Awards.
In 2009, he decided to have a taste of what the Nigeria soap opera scene feels like as he appeared on several episodes of Disclosure. The TV series aired on the popular African movie cable channel – African Magic.
Since his return to Nollywood, Frederick has cemented his name as one of the most prolific Nigerian actors. He has starred in over 200 films and we believe more will still come. Some of the movies he is best known for are:
- Indian doctor (2008)
- Monster Under Skin (2015)
- Monster Under Skin II (2015)
- Discontent (2017)
- Discontent II (2017)
- In Every Way (2018)
- A Better Family (2018)
- The Reunion (2019)
- Void (2019)
- A Dance to Forget (2020)
Which Awards has He Won?
Just a few years after venturing full-time into the movie industry, the actor has won a good number of enviable awards. Some of his awards include:
- Best Supporting Actor (Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards, 2014 )
- Best Supporting Actor (City People Movie Award, 2016)
- Best Romantic Actor(AAMA Award)
- Best Actor ( AFRIFIMO)
- Best Supporting Actor at the GIAMA
Frederick Leonard’s Other Business Ventures
Aside from acting, Frederick discovered his potentials in modeling and movie production early enough. And he has put his knack for both into good use by building businesses around them.
Film Production
The actor is the CEO of Cineworx Entertainment, a movie production company located in Abule Egba, Lagos State. As a producer, Frederick has produced two critically acclaimed movies- Grey (2018) and Void (2019).
Modeling Career
It won’t be surprising to have the likes of Frederick Leonard as a model. He is good-looking and a fashionable person who enjoys showing off his looks and creative attire on his Instagram page. The actor mentioned his mother as one personality who influenced his dress sense since his childhood. He said though he desires to always look good, he does so within his means.
Frederick Shares a Close Bond with His Family Members
Frederick’s parents are no more but from the way he speaks about them, it won’t be difficult to deduce the strong bond between him and them. The actor came from a family of four, consisting of his father, mother, and younger sister.
Although he is yet to say much about each of his parents, he revealed that he first lost his father when he was 24 years old and that sixteen years after, his widowed mother also passed on.
Speaking publicly about the devastating impact of losing both parents at the early stages of his career, Frederick said he was more pained by the death of his mother whom he described as his best friend, lover, and gossip partner.
He said his mother was supportive of his acting career and had encouraged him to push further until he achieves his dreams of becoming a star in the industry. Although she witnessed a bit of his rise to stardom, the actor revealed that her demise left a void in his life which he struggled to fill for years.
Aside from his parents, the Nollywood star also shares a very strong bond with his younger sister whose name is currently not known. She was born decades after Frederick and she is currently studying at Yabatech Polytechnic.
There are rumors of her venturing into acting but currently, she has not featured in any film, at least not yet. If she is ever going to follow in the footsteps of her big brother, we might just have to wait and see after she completes her tertiary education.