“Risking My Life for a Movie Role is Stupidity" – Stan Nze

 

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Nollywood actor, Stan Nze, has sparked a conversation in the entertainment industry after declaring that risking one’s life for a movie role is nothing short of “stupidity.”

The popular actor, who is widely known for his versatility on screen, made this remark during an interview with The Nation. 

He stressed that while he is passionate about delivering compelling performances, he draws a clear line when it comes to endangering his life in the name of role interpretation.

According to Nze, professional stunt actors exist in the movie industry for a reason, and it would be unwise for mainstream actors to take on roles that could potentially threaten their lives. 

“Why would I risk my life jumping from a dangerous height in a movie? Jumping characters are done by stunt guys. That’s their job. They are called stunt actors who are well paid for such roles. They have the experience of how to jump and do other things,” he explained.

He further noted that acting should never be about reckless showmanship or unnecessary risk-taking but about intelligently interpreting roles while still valuing personal safety. Nze stated that it would make no sense for him to jeopardize his life for a fleeting moment of applause, only for people to later mourn briefly and move on. 

“I’m not going to be foolish and jump a dangerous height just because I want to be the best actor in Africa, and the people go do one minute of silence and then move on. It is stupidity,” he said firmly.

The actor emphasized the importance of respecting the craft of stunt performers, who are specially trained and adequately compensated for executing dangerous scenes. 

He admitted that while he is dedicated to his craft, he knows the limits of what he should and should not do. “I will only do the ones I’m meant to do, so that the stunt men can do their job too,” he added.

Stan Nze’s comments shed light on a longstanding issue in Nollywood where actors often take on risky stunts without the kind of technical support, safety measures, and industry regulations available in Hollywood and other advanced film industries.

 His stance reflects a growing awareness among Nollywood stars about prioritizing health and safety on set, even as the industry continues to grow and attract global recognition.

Fans and industry insiders have reacted differently to his statement. Some agree with his position, noting that many Nollywood productions have in the past compromised safety in pursuit of “authentic” action scenes. Others, however, argue that a degree of risk-taking is part of what makes some actors stand out.

Nonetheless, Nze’s perspective highlights the need for Nollywood to invest more in stunt professionals, technical training, and on-set safety equipment, to avoid tragic accidents that could easily be prevented. As one of Nollywood’s leading actors, his decision to speak openly about this matter may encourage others to rethink how they approach physically demanding roles.

For Nze, talent is not about risking one’s life for applause but about interpreting characters with depth, discipline, and professionalism leaving the dangerous leaps to those trained for them.

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