Jackie Appiah | |
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Born | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | 5 December 1983
Occupation | Actress |
Years active | 2001–present |
Spouse | Peter Agyemang (m. 2005;div. 2008) |
Awards | Best Actress in a Leading Role at the 2010 Africa Movie Academy Awards; and Best Actress in a Supporting Role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2007 |
Jackie Appiah (born 5th December, 1983) [1] a Canadian-born Ghanaian actress who has become one of the celebrated figures in the African movie industry. [2] Born in Toronto, Canada, she moved to Ghana at a young age and later pursued her career in acting, where she quickly gained recognition for her talent and versatility on screen. Over the years, Jackie has built a reputation as one of the leading actresses in Nollywood and Ghallywood, earning respect both locally and internationally. For her work as an actress, she has been marked by several accolades including multiple awards and nominations. She notably won the awards for Best Actress in a Leading Role running out in the 2010 Africa Movie Academy Awards(AMAA). She was also honoured the Best Actress in a Supporting Role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2007. [3] [4] She received two nominations for Best Actress in a Leading Role and Best Upcoming Actress at the Africa Movie Academy Awards(AMAAs) in 2008. [5] [6] These achievements cemented her status as a household name in African cinema. Glitz Africa honoured her with the Excellence in Creative Art Award at Ghana Women of the Year Honours 2023. [7] She direct movies, produce movies, a fashion model, and a humanitarian. [8]
Jackie was born on 5th December, 1983 to Mr. Kwabena Appiah into the Appiah family in Toronto, Canada. She is the last of five children. Her paternal uncle was the Ghanaian statesman Joe Appiah. [9] She spent her early childhood in Canada and moved to Ghana with her mother at the age of 10 . [10] She is popularly known by her maiden name, Appiah. Appiah married Peter Agyemang in 2005 and has one son . [11]
Ghanaian actress Jackie Appiah has enjoyed a prolific and acclaimed career in the Ghanaian and Nigerian film industries over the past two decades. [12] Jackie Appiah began her acting career in the late 1990s, appearing in various Ghanaian television shows and movies. [13] [14]
Her breakthrough role came in 2003 when she starred in the Ghanaian film "Princess Tyra", which brought her widespread recognition and cemented her status as a leading actress in West African cinema. [15] Following the success of "Princess Tyra," Jackie went on to appear in numerous other Ghanaian and Nigerian films, further establishing herself as one of the most prominent and influential actresses in the region [14] .
Aside being an actress , Appiah has also been involved in various philanthropic initiatives, using her celebrity status to support causes such as education and healthcare in Ghana. [16] As a result, she has received numerous awards and accolades for both her contributions to the film industry and her humanitarian efforts. [17]
Appiah's appearance on screen became regular when she was invited by Edward Seddoh Junior, [18] the writer of Things We Do For Love , where she played the role of Enyonam Blagogee. She later took part in movies like Tentacles, Games People Play, Sun-city and many other TV series.
Jackie remembers herself as being very shy the first time she went on set. "It was a Venus Film Production titled Divine Love and I had to play the role of Kate, the protagonist. I didn’t believe I did too well. I fumbled, but many people did not notice it". Despite her nervousness, the first-timer said she succeeded in impressing everyone. [19]
Jackie says her best part was in Mummy’s Daughter by Venus Films. The film tells the story of the Bartels Family, where she played the role of a Princess, the daughter. She loved how she acted, and was happy with the role played. [20] Jackie now sees the local film industry as having changed for the better. She thinks that others will see its ultimate success.
Jackie Appiah is widely regarded as one of the most successful and influential actresses to emerge from the Ghanaian and Nigerian film industries, with a career spanning over two decades. [21]
Appiah was already known to Nollywood through her many successful Ghanaian films, including Beyoncé - The President's Daughter, Princess Tyra , Passion of the Soul, Pretty Queen, The Prince's Bride, The King is Mine, and The Perfect Picture (2009 film) I The Perfect Picture . [22] Her notable Nollywood films includes Black Soul and Bitter Blessing, alongside Nollywood actor Ramsey Nouah [23] [24] and My Last Wedding, alongside Nollywood actor Emeka Ike. [25]
In 2013, she won the Best International Actress award at the Papyrus Magazine Screen Actors Awards (PAMSAA) 2013. which was held in Abuja, Nigeria. [26]
Jackie's face can be seen on many billboards and TV commercials in Ghana including a GSMF advert on protection against HIV/AIDS. She won the face of U.B in a promotion she did for them on TV commercials, and she is currently[ when? ] the face of IPMC for commercials and billboards. "GSMF " was her first TV commercial. [27]
Jackie married Peter Agyemang in 2005 with whom she had a son, Damien Agyemang. [28] They got divorced after three years. [29]
It was rumoured in 2020 that Jackie Appiah got pregnant for Liberian President, George Weah, though she dismissed the rumour on her Instagram page, stating: "Laughter that dispels lies and fabricated stories." [30] [31]
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Year | Event | Prize | Recipient | Result |
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2007 | 3rd Africa Movie Academy Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Beyonce:The President's Daughter | Won |
2010 | 6th Africa Movie Academy Awards | Best Actress Leading Role | The Perfect Picture | Won |
2010 Ghana Movie Awards | Best Actress | 4 plays | Won | |
City People Entertainment Awards | Best Ghanaian Actress | Won [34] | ||
2011 | 2011 Ghana Movie Awards | Best Actress Leading Role (English) | Reason To Kill | Nominated |
2011 Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Pan African Actress Of The Year | Won | ||
2012 | 2012 Ghana Movie Awards | Best Actress Leading Role | Grooms Bride | Nominated |
Ghana National Youth Achievers Awards | Performing Arts | Won [35] | ||
African Women Of Worth Awards | Best Actress | Won [36] | ||
2013 | 2013 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards | Best Actress In Drama | The Perfect Picture | Won [37] |
2013 Ghana Movie Awards | Best Actress Leading role | Cheaters | Won | |
Glits Magazine favorite actress | Won | |||
Nafca | Best Actress Diaspora | Turning Point | Won [38] | |
Pyprus Magazine Screen Actors Awards | Best International Actress | Won [39] | ||
The F.A.C.E List Awards (USA) | Achievement In Africa Entertainment | Won [40] | ||
2014 | 2014 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards | Best Actress Comedy Role | Cheaters | Nominated |
2014 Ghana Movie Awards | Best Actress Leading Role | Sisters At War | Nominated | |
Favorite Actress | Nominated | |||
2015 | 2015 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards | Best Actress In Comedy | A Letter From Adam | Nominated |
2015 Ghana Movie Awards | Favorite Actress | Nominated | ||
2024 | Africa Movie Academy Awards | Best Actress in a Leading Role | Red Carpet | Won [41] |