Veteran Nollywood actor Dele Odule has recounted a difficult chapter of his life when he contemplated giving up on his acting career and also priced a casket for himself.

In an interview with Feelright TV, the 1970s-era actor said the episode occurred in Abeokuta during a period of acute hopelessness.

Accompanied by colleague Olaiya Igwe, Odule said he visited a casket shop while grappling with the feeling that his career had stalled.

Olaiya Igwe was reportedly overcome with emotion at the sight.

“I had priced my own casket before, when I was in a state of hopelessness, and complete loss of hope in Abeokuta. Olaiya Igwe went there with me. “Olaiya started crying like a baby,” he said.

Odule stressed that his despair was not linked to illness but stemmed from frustration over his career trajectory.

According to him, he felt overshadowed by former classmates who had achieved greater success while he struggled to find industry breakthroughs.

“I wasn’t sick, I just believed I could no longer have breakthroughs in the industry. I was fed up. Because all my schoolmates are doing far better than I am and my life was nothing to write home about,” he added.

The actor rose to prominence in 1993 with his role in the Yoruba classic ‘Ti Oluwa Nile’ and has remained a prominent figure in the Nigerian film industry since beginning his career in the 1970s.

(The Nation)

• Veteran Nollywood actor Dele Odule