Oris Erhuero
Encyclopedia
Oris Erhuero is a British
actor, producer, writer, and former fashion model. He is highly acclaimed for being the most photographed and publicized, international fashion runway and print model of his time era. After modeling for several years, he transitioned into television and film, with roles in The Adventures of Sinbad
, The Bill
, Highlander: Endgame
, Black Mask 2, Sometimes in April
, and Chicago Pulaski Jones. Erhuero continues to utilize his innumerable talents by embarking on film production and screen writing.
, London. He is the oldest of seven children. His parents are Nigerian and from the Urhobo tribe. As a child, Erhuero often accompanied his mother on numerous occasions to her custodial jobs. The Royal National Theatre
of London was one of his mother's cleaning assignments. Erhuero's first exposure to the performing arts occurred here. He immediately became delighted and fascinated with the actors and how they brought joy into people's lives by entertaining them. This early exposure would eventually lead Erhuero to his achieve his future career pursuit into acting. When Erhuero was five, he and his brother accompanied his father to Nigeria. He spent much of his youth between Lagos
and Bendel State (now Delta
and Edo State
). Erhuero returned to London when he was fourteen and attended the Beaufoy School in Kennington Park
(later renamed Lilian Baylis Technology School
), where he not only successfully excelled academically, but also truly discovered his passion for performing arts. Erhuero furthered his skills by obtaining classical Shakespearean training at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), the Los Angeles McCadden Place Theatre, and the Young Vic Drama House. He is fluent in Urhobo
, Arabic
, Yoruba
, Igbo
. He also has the capabilities to speak some French and Italian.
and breakdance career in the music industry. When his rap and breakdance career didn't flourish, Erhureo pursued another profession within the music industry. He began working as a personal assistant to affluential rap recording artists.
In 1993, Erhuero left New York to relocate in Miami, where he met a photographer who literally convinced him to become a model. Because of Erhuero's tall, sleek, and sculpted physique, it allowed him to accelerate overnight into an international modeling career in countries such as France, Germany, Italy, South Africa, United Kingdom, and the United States. He rapidly acquired campaigns for the highest esteemed clients in the world fashion industry including Christian Dior
, Armani, the late Gianfranco Ferré
, Gianni Versace
, Gaultier
, Moschino
, Diesel, Vivienne Westwood
, Romeo Gigli, and Exte.
Modeling subsequently led Erhuero into nationally accredited, worldwide commercials such as Coca-Cola
, Gatorade
, and Hanes
. His commercials received global recognition and were aired on both television and cinemas.
which began his career breakthrough. He played the role of Winston in Highlander: Endgame
and Wolf in Black Mask 2: City of Masks
. Erhuero was nominated for a Black Reel Award for Best Supporting Actor
for his role as Honoré in the Golden Globe and NAACP nominated HBO movie, Sometimes in April
which was based on the 1994 Rwandan genocide
. Erhuero has also worked on the television shows E-Ring
and The District
.
In 2008, Erhuero left Los Angeles and returned to London for additional acting roles to demonstrate his versatility, in order to achieve international stardom.
Erhuero recently made his first British television debut on the hit prime time television crime drama series of The Bill
. After working in the United States for two decades, he was able to quickly transition into his British accent and marvelously play the role of Linton Barry.
Erhuero once again has reunited with the award-winning Haitian filmmaker, Raoul Peck
, to star in his latest dramatic political feature filmed in Haiti, Moloch Tropical. Moloch Tropical was the most highly anticipated movie by film critics and debuted at the TIFF.
In conjunction with Raoul Peck
, Erhuero will be debuting a cameo role in Cedric the Entertainer's latest film Chicago Pulaski Jones. Filming has already begun and in post-production state.
Erhuero is no amateur to the film industry. He has worked closely with renowned Academy Award winning Actors and Film Directors such as Dennis Hopper
, Benjamin Bratt
, Christopher Lambert
, Donnie Yen
, Guy Ritchie
, Yuen Woo-Ping
, Cedric the Entertainer
, Rob Van Dam
, Affion Crockett, Idris Elba
, and Tommy Davidson
.
Erhuero strives for world peace in his daily practice and is often involved in numerous local and global charity organizations. As a celebrity ambassador and advocate for civl and human rights, Erhuero endorses the Civil Rights Party of Canada who are committed to the advancement of a socioeconomic platform that guarantees sustainable socioeconomic gratifications for all Canadian Citizens regardless of country of origin, country of birth, gender, age, social status, or corporate status.
Erhuero believes in living and promoting a spiritually, healthy and well-balanced lifestyle. He religiously incorporates various forms of martial arts into his daily life along with meditation.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
actor, producer, writer, and former fashion model. He is highly acclaimed for being the most photographed and publicized, international fashion runway and print model of his time era. After modeling for several years, he transitioned into television and film, with roles in The Adventures of Sinbad
The Adventures of Sinbad
The Adventures of Sinbad is a Canadian television series which aired from 1996 to 1998. It follows on the story from the pilot of the same name. It revolves around the series' protagonist, Sinbad. The series is a re-telling of the adventures of Sinbad from The Arabian Nights. Created by Ed Naha, it...
, The Bill
The Bill
The Bill is a police procedural television series that ran from October 1984 to August 2010. It focused on the lives and work of one shift of police officers, rather than on any particular aspect of police work...
, Highlander: Endgame
Highlander: Endgame
Highlander: Endgame is a 2000 fantasy film originally released on September 1, 2000. It is the fourth theatrical release in the Highlander film series, and it serves as both a continuation of the Highlander films and the Highlander television series...
, Black Mask 2, Sometimes in April
Sometimes In April
Sometimes in April is a 2005 historical drama television film about the Rwandan Genocide of 1994, written and directed by the Haitian filmmaker Raoul Peck...
, and Chicago Pulaski Jones. Erhuero continues to utilize his innumerable talents by embarking on film production and screen writing.
Early life
Oris Erhuero was born in Finsbury ParkFinsbury Park, London
Finsbury Park is an area in north London, England which grew up around an important railway interchange at the junction of the London Boroughs of Islington, Haringey and Hackney...
, London. He is the oldest of seven children. His parents are Nigerian and from the Urhobo tribe. As a child, Erhuero often accompanied his mother on numerous occasions to her custodial jobs. The Royal National Theatre
Royal National Theatre
The Royal National Theatre in London is one of the United Kingdom's two most prominent publicly funded theatre companies, alongside the Royal Shakespeare Company...
of London was one of his mother's cleaning assignments. Erhuero's first exposure to the performing arts occurred here. He immediately became delighted and fascinated with the actors and how they brought joy into people's lives by entertaining them. This early exposure would eventually lead Erhuero to his achieve his future career pursuit into acting. When Erhuero was five, he and his brother accompanied his father to Nigeria. He spent much of his youth between Lagos
Lagos
Lagos is a port and the most populous conurbation in Nigeria. With a population of 7,937,932, it is currently the third most populous city in Africa after Cairo and Kinshasa, and currently estimated to be the second fastest growing city in Africa...
and Bendel State (now Delta
Delta State
Delta State may refer to:*Delta State, a state in southern Nigeria.*Delta State , a Canadian animated television series.*Delta State University, a public university located in the U.S. state of Mississippi....
and Edo State
Edo State
Edo State is an inland state in central southern Nigeria. Its capital is Benin City. It is bounded in the north and east by Kogi State, in the south by Delta State and in the west by Ondo State.-History:...
). Erhuero returned to London when he was fourteen and attended the Beaufoy School in Kennington Park
Kennington Park
Kennington Park is in Kennington in London, England, and lies between Kennington Park Road and St Agnes Place. It was opened in 1854. Previously the site had been Kennington Common. This is where the Chartists gathered for their biggest 'monster rally' on 10 April 1848...
(later renamed Lilian Baylis Technology School
Lilian Baylis Technology School
Lilian Baylis Technology School, also known as LBTS, is a secondary school for students from ages 11–16, located in Kennington, London. The school was rated Good with outstanding features by Ofsted.-History:There is also a new sixth form opening in 2012....
), where he not only successfully excelled academically, but also truly discovered his passion for performing arts. Erhuero furthered his skills by obtaining classical Shakespearean training at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), the Los Angeles McCadden Place Theatre, and the Young Vic Drama House. He is fluent in Urhobo
Urhobo language
Urhobo is one of the Edoid languages and is spoken by the Urhobo people of southern Nigeria.-Phonology:Urhobo has a conservative consonant inventory for an Edoid language...
, Arabic
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
, Yoruba
Yoruba language
Yorùbá is a Niger–Congo language spoken in West Africa by approximately 20 million speakers. The native tongue of the Yoruba people, it is spoken, among other languages, in Nigeria, Benin, and Togo and in communities in other parts of Africa, Europe and the Americas...
, Igbo
Igbo language
Igbo , or Igbo proper, is a native language of the Igbo people, an ethnic group primarily located in southeastern Nigeria. There are approximately 20 million speakers that are mostly in Nigeria and are primarily of Igbo descent. Igbo is a national language of Nigeria. It is written in the Latin...
. He also has the capabilities to speak some French and Italian.
Early career
Erhuero left London for New York with inspiring dreams of pursuing a rapRapping
Rapping refers to "spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics". The art form can be broken down into different components, as in the book How to Rap where it is separated into “content”, “flow” , and “delivery”...
and breakdance career in the music industry. When his rap and breakdance career didn't flourish, Erhureo pursued another profession within the music industry. He began working as a personal assistant to affluential rap recording artists.
In 1993, Erhuero left New York to relocate in Miami, where he met a photographer who literally convinced him to become a model. Because of Erhuero's tall, sleek, and sculpted physique, it allowed him to accelerate overnight into an international modeling career in countries such as France, Germany, Italy, South Africa, United Kingdom, and the United States. He rapidly acquired campaigns for the highest esteemed clients in the world fashion industry including Christian Dior
Christian Dior
Christian Dior , was a French fashion designer, best known as the founder of one of the world's top fashion houses, also called Christian Dior.-Life:...
, Armani, the late Gianfranco Ferré
Gianfranco Ferrè
Gianfranco Ferré was a fashion designer also known as "the architect of fashion" for his background and his original attitude toward creating fashion design....
, Gianni Versace
Gianni Versace
Gianni Versace was an Italian fashion designer and founder of Gianni Versace S.p.A., an international fashion house, which produces accessories, fragrances, makeup and home furnishings as well as clothes. He also designed costumes for the theatre and films, and was a friend of Madonna, Elton John,...
, Gaultier
Jean-Paul Gaultier
Jean Paul Gaultier , born 24 April 1952 in Arcueil, Val-de-Marne, France) is a French haute couture fashion designer. Gaultier was the creative director of Hermès from 2003 to 2010. In the past, he has hosted the television series Eurotrash....
, Moschino
Moschino
Moschino is an Italian fashion design house and manufacturer of women's, men's and children's fashion.-History:The brand was originally created in 1983 by the late Franco Moschino...
, Diesel, Vivienne Westwood
Vivienne Westwood
Dame Vivienne Westwood, DBE, RDI is a British fashion designer and businesswoman, largely responsible for bringing modern punk and new wave fashions into the mainstream.-Early life:...
, Romeo Gigli, and Exte.
Modeling subsequently led Erhuero into nationally accredited, worldwide commercials such as Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola is a carbonated soft drink sold in stores, restaurants, and vending machines in more than 200 countries. It is produced by The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, Georgia, and is often referred to simply as Coke...
, Gatorade
Gatorade
Gatorade is a brand of sports-themed food and beverage products, built around its signature product: a line of sports drinks. Gatorade is currently manufactured by PepsiCo, distributed in over 80 countries...
, and Hanes
Hanes
Hanes and Hanes Her Way are brands of apparel currently owned by the HanesBrands, Inc Corporation...
. His commercials received global recognition and were aired on both television and cinemas.
1996-2007
Erhuero decided to return to his passionate roots of acting after several years of fashion modeling and television commercials. His natural athletic abilities, visual storytelling, charm, and intelligence instanteously landed him roles. He obtained a series regular role of Rongar in the television series The Adventures of SinbadThe Adventures of Sinbad
The Adventures of Sinbad is a Canadian television series which aired from 1996 to 1998. It follows on the story from the pilot of the same name. It revolves around the series' protagonist, Sinbad. The series is a re-telling of the adventures of Sinbad from The Arabian Nights. Created by Ed Naha, it...
which began his career breakthrough. He played the role of Winston in Highlander: Endgame
Highlander: Endgame
Highlander: Endgame is a 2000 fantasy film originally released on September 1, 2000. It is the fourth theatrical release in the Highlander film series, and it serves as both a continuation of the Highlander films and the Highlander television series...
and Wolf in Black Mask 2: City of Masks
Black Mask 2: City of Masks
Black Mask 2: City of Masks is a 2002 Hong Kong action film directed by Tsui Hark. Andy On took over the role of Black Mask when original actor Jet Li opted not to return. The film also starred Tobin Bell, Jon Polito, Tyler Mane, Rob Van Dam, Traci Lords, and Scott Adkins-Overview:Black Mask 2 is...
. Erhuero was nominated for a Black Reel Award for Best Supporting Actor
Black Reel Award: Best Supporting Actor
Here are the winners & nominees for the Black Reel Award for Best Supporting Actor.*Djimon Hounsou & Jamie Foxx hold the record for most wins, with two each....
for his role as Honoré in the Golden Globe and NAACP nominated HBO movie, Sometimes in April
Sometimes In April
Sometimes in April is a 2005 historical drama television film about the Rwandan Genocide of 1994, written and directed by the Haitian filmmaker Raoul Peck...
which was based on the 1994 Rwandan genocide
Rwandan Genocide
The Rwandan Genocide was the 1994 mass murder of an estimated 800,000 people in the small East African nation of Rwanda. Over the course of approximately 100 days through mid-July, over 500,000 people were killed, according to a Human Rights Watch estimate...
. Erhuero has also worked on the television shows E-Ring
E-Ring
E-Ring is an American television military drama, created by Ken Robinson and David McKenna and executive produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, that premiered on NBC on September 21, 2005...
and The District
The District
The District is a television police drama which aired on CBS from October 7, 2000 to May 1, 2004. The show followed the work and personal life of the chief of Washington, D.C.'s Police Department .-Premise:...
.
2008-present
2009 has been the year of resurrection for Erhuero's existing film company, that he created over five years ago. He has transitioned it from a centralized location into a global vision. He has brought on board a multi-talented business associate, Cynthia Lee. Both are visionaries who believe firmly in harmonization, productivity, social welfare and injustices, environmental impacts, and equality. Their combined vision lead them to form a unique film production company, Myoho Films, LLC which is headquartered in the USA and Myoho Films, LTD a satellite office located in London, UK. Projects are underdevelopment and review. Production is planned to begin during first quarter of 2010.In 2008, Erhuero left Los Angeles and returned to London for additional acting roles to demonstrate his versatility, in order to achieve international stardom.
Erhuero recently made his first British television debut on the hit prime time television crime drama series of The Bill
The Bill
The Bill is a police procedural television series that ran from October 1984 to August 2010. It focused on the lives and work of one shift of police officers, rather than on any particular aspect of police work...
. After working in the United States for two decades, he was able to quickly transition into his British accent and marvelously play the role of Linton Barry.
Erhuero once again has reunited with the award-winning Haitian filmmaker, Raoul Peck
Raoul Peck
Raoul Peck is an award-winning Haitian filmmaker, of both documentary and feature films, and a political activist. Briefly, in the 1990s, he was Haiti's Minister of Culture.-Biography:...
, to star in his latest dramatic political feature filmed in Haiti, Moloch Tropical. Moloch Tropical was the most highly anticipated movie by film critics and debuted at the TIFF.
In conjunction with Raoul Peck
Raoul Peck
Raoul Peck is an award-winning Haitian filmmaker, of both documentary and feature films, and a political activist. Briefly, in the 1990s, he was Haiti's Minister of Culture.-Biography:...
, Erhuero will be debuting a cameo role in Cedric the Entertainer's latest film Chicago Pulaski Jones. Filming has already begun and in post-production state.
Erhuero is no amateur to the film industry. He has worked closely with renowned Academy Award winning Actors and Film Directors such as Dennis Hopper
Dennis Hopper
Dennis Lee Hopper was an American actor, filmmaker and artist. As a young man, Hopper became interested in acting and eventually became a student of the Actors' Studio. He made his first television appearance in 1954 and appeared in two films featuring James Dean, Rebel Without a Cause and Giant...
, Benjamin Bratt
Benjamin Bratt
Benjamin Bratt is an American actor. He is most famous for his role as Rey Curtis on the TV series Law & Order; and his appearances in the movies Blood in Blood Out, Miss Congeniality, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Traffic, and Piñero.-Early life:Bratt was born in San Francisco, California,...
, Christopher Lambert
Christopher Lambert
Christophe Guy Denis "Christopher" Lambert is an American-born French actor who has appeared in French, European and American productions. He is best known for his role as Connor MacLeod, or simply "The Highlander", from the movie and subsequent movie franchise series of the same name...
, Donnie Yen
Donnie Yen
Donnie Yen is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film director and producer, action choreographer, and world wushu tournament medalist...
, Guy Ritchie
Guy Ritchie
Guy Stuart Ritchie is an English screenwriter and film maker who directed Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch, Revolver, RocknRolla and Sherlock Holmes.-Early life:...
, Yuen Woo-Ping
Yuen Woo-ping
Yuen Woo-ping is a Chinese martial arts choreographer and film director, renowned as one of the most successful and influential figures in the world of Hong Kong action cinema. He is one of the inductees on the Avenue of Stars in Hong Kong...
, Cedric the Entertainer
Cedric the Entertainer
Cedric Antonio Kyles , known professionally by his stage name Cedric the Entertainer, is an American actor, comedian and director...
, Rob Van Dam
Rob Van Dam
Robert Alexander "Rob" Szatkowski , better known by his ring name Rob Van Dam , is an American professional wrestler and actor who is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling ....
, Affion Crockett, Idris Elba
Idris Elba
Idrissa Akuna "Idris" Elba is a British television, theatre, and film actor. He has starred in both British and American productions. Elba grew up in Canning Town, East London. One of his first acting roles was in the soap opera Family Affairs. He has worked in a variety of TV roles including ...
, and Tommy Davidson
Tommy Davidson
Tommy Davidson is an American comedian, film and television actor.Born in Washington, D.C., Davidson was adopted when he was 2-years-old. He was a child of an interracial adoption, with his parents being Caucasian and he being African-American. He attended high school at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High...
.
Personal life
Erhuero has a daughter and was named Father of the Year in 2004 by the National Fatherhood Initiative at the Golden Dads Awards.. |title= Oris Erhuero Named Golden Dad by Fatherhood Initiative | date= 2004-06-16 |accessdate= 2009-07-01}} In 2007, Jamati Online named Erhuero one of the top 10 sexiest African men.. |title= Denzel Top 10 Sexiest African Men |editor= Alusa-Brown, Shirlene |publisher= Jamati.com |date= 2009-07-01 |accessdate= 2009-07-01}}Erhuero strives for world peace in his daily practice and is often involved in numerous local and global charity organizations. As a celebrity ambassador and advocate for civl and human rights, Erhuero endorses the Civil Rights Party of Canada who are committed to the advancement of a socioeconomic platform that guarantees sustainable socioeconomic gratifications for all Canadian Citizens regardless of country of origin, country of birth, gender, age, social status, or corporate status.
Erhuero believes in living and promoting a spiritually, healthy and well-balanced lifestyle. He religiously incorporates various forms of martial arts into his daily life along with meditation.
Filmography
Videography
External links
- Oris Erhuero Jamati interview
- Oris Erhuero How Vain PR Interview
- Oris Erhuero: Our Renaissance Man On Nollywood, Modeling and Life
- Oris Erhuero at TIFF 2009
- Interview with African Loft - Oris Erhuero
- Grown-and-Sexy London's Top Eligible Bachelor, Oris Erhuero
- Anglomania - Oris Erhuero
- Celebrity of the Month