Kunle Idowu (Listen), popularly known as Frank Donga, is a Nigerian actor and comedian. He rose to fame through the webseries, The Interview, on Ndani TV about an unassuming job-seeker for which he was nominated for Best Actor in a Comedy in the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award in 2015.[1] He has gone on to feature in several movies like The Wedding Party and its sequel The Wedding Party 2.[2] Previously working as a journalist,[3] he also works as a photographer and a filmmaker.[4]

Kunle Idowu
Frank Donga at the 2018 Lagos Digital Summit
Born
Kunle Idowu

13 October[year needed]
NationalityNigerian
CitizenshipNigerian
EducationAgricultural Science, Olabisi Onabanjo University
Alma materOlabisi Onabanjo University
Occupations
  • Actor
  • comedian
Years active2013-present

In 2022, he and Philomaine Nanema co-presented Hello Doc, a series intended to encourage COVID-19 immunisation in Africa.[5]

Education

edit

Idowu attended Ogun State University (now Olabisi Onabanjo University) where he obtained a B.Sc in Agricultural Science and also the University of Ibadan, where he obtained a master's degree in Animal Genetics.[6]

Filmography

edit
Film Roles
Year Title Role Notes Ref
2016 The Wedding Party Harrison, the driver
2017 TATU
Idahosa Trials Pastor Osas A movie about the life events of Bishop Benson Idahosa
Mentally Akin
Hakkunde Akande Lead role

Reprises his character of an unemployed graduate[7]

[8]
The OAP Sikiru
The Wedding Party 2 Harrison
2018 Falz Experience: The Movie [9]
200 Million
Seven and a Half Date Frank
The Washerman Baba Landlord A movie by Etinosa Idemudia
Funke! John [10]
Crossroads
The Foreigner's God Winter Kunte [11][12]
2019 Three Thieves Rukevwe [13]
She Is
2020 Soft Work
2021 Swallow
Unintentional Hotel Porter
One Lagos Night
Television Role
Year Title Role Notes
2013-2015 The Interview Frank Donga Web series on Ndani TV
2016–present The Boot With Denrele Edun on EbonyLife TV
2017 Flatmates Dede Malik
The Condo Jeff

Awards and nominations

edit
Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref
2015 Kunle Idowu/The Interview (web series) Best Actor in a Comedy Nominated [14]
2018 Frank Donga/Idahosa Trials Best Supporting Actor Nominated [15]
2023 Kunle Idowu/Unintentional Best Actor In A Comedy Drama, Movie Or TV Series Nominated [16][17]
Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref
2018 Frank Donga/Hakkunde Best Actor in a Leading Role Nominated [18]

The African Film Festival (TAFF)

edit
Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref
2018 Frank Donga Best Actor Won [19]

References

edit
  1. ^ "Nominees Announced for 2015 AMVCAs". Africa Magic Official Website - Nominees Announced for 2015 AMVCAs. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  2. ^ Adetiba, Kemi (20 May 2017), The Wedding Party, Alibaba Akporobome, Zainab Balogun, Daniella Down, retrieved 30 March 2018
  3. ^ "'How I Use Comedy For Journalism' – Frank Donga". INFORMATION NIGERIA. 5 August 2017. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  4. ^ "KUNLE IDOWU 'FRANK DONGA' : FRANKLY SPEAKING ABOUT WORK AND LIFE". www.asikobeampeh.com. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  5. ^ "Niyel Advocates For Confidence In Routine Immunisation In Africa" (Press release). Dakar, Senegal: Niyel. African Media Agency. 3 May 2022. Retrieved 26 August 2022 – via East African Business Week.
  6. ^ "I want to be remembered for using unconventional means to bring attention to a global…". Loop of Henry. 14 August 2017. Retrieved 30 March 2018.[permanent dead link]
  7. ^ Lights, Camera, Action: Top Nollywood Movies Of 2017 • Channels Television, retrieved 31 March 2018
  8. ^ "Hits and Misses of Oluseyi Asurf's Hakkunde - Vanguard News". Vanguard News. 20 August 2017. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  9. ^ Opeyemi, Kehinde (28 February 2018). "'Falz Experience: The Movie' hits cinema March 2". Daily Trust. Archived from the original on 2 March 2018. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  10. ^ "Cast". FUNKE The Movie. Archived from the original on 10 September 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
  11. ^ Izuzu, Chidumga. "Pete Edochie, Sam Dede, Onyeka Onwenu, Kemi Lala Akindoju star in "Foreigner"s God"". Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  12. ^ Foreigner's God (2018), retrieved 28 July 2018
  13. ^ "Three Thieves movie: Comedy on not how to be criminals". Vanguard News. 17 September 2019. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  14. ^ "Nominees Announced for 2015 AMVCAs". Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  15. ^ "2018 AMVCA: Full list of winners". 2 September 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
  16. ^ "Full List: Here are all our AMVCA 9 Nominees". AMVCA - Full List: Here are all our AMVCA 9 Nominees. Retrieved 23 April 2023.[permanent dead link]
  17. ^ "AMVCA 2023: Anikulapo Wins Overall Best Movie". Radio Nigeria Ibadan Zonal Station - Uplifting the People and Uniting the Nation. 21 May 2023. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
  18. ^ "AMAA releases nominees for 2018 awards [FULL LIST]". 4 August 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
  19. ^ "NOMINEES AND TAFFESTS". Retrieved 29 July 2018.