Orlando Martins
- Born
- 1899-12-08 (age 85)
- Died
- 1985-09-25 (aged 85) · 40 years ago
- Birthplace
- Lagos, Nigeria
- Occupation
- Stoker, Wrestler, Singer
- Active
- 1971 - 1971
- Spouse
- Helen Meisels-Martin
- Alma Mater
- Eko Boys High School
- AKA
- Pa Orlando Martins, Black Butcher Johnson
Biography
EARLY LIFE
Orlando Martins was born Emmanuel Alhandu Martins on December 8, 1899, at Okesuna Street, Lagos, Nigeria. His father was a civil servant with Brazilian roots, and his mother was Nigerian. He was related to the Benjamin Epega family. In 1913, he was enrolled in Eko Boys High School but dropped out. During World War I, he served as a stoker on the RMS Mauretania.
CAREER
Martins moved to London in 1919 and began his performing career in 1923 with Sanger's Circus. He also worked as a wrestler, known as "Black Butcher Johnson." In 1920, he was an extra with the Diaghilev ballet company and toured as a professional singer. He made his film debut as an extra in 'If Youth But Knew' (1926) and later acted on the London stage, notably in 'Toussaint Louverture' (1936) with Paul Robeson. After World War II, he gained prominence in British films like 'The Man from Morocco' (1945) and 'Men of Two Worlds' (1946). He appeared in 'The Hasty Heart' (1949) alongside Ronald Reagan and Patricia Neal. In the 1950s, he continued to appear on the London stage and in films such as 'Killers of Kilimanjaro' (1960), 'Call Me Bwana' (1963), and 'Mister Moses' (1965). He returned to Lagos in 1959 and played Dr. Gbenga in 'Kongi's Harvest' (1970) and Obierika in 'Things Fall Apart' (1971), his final film role.
PERSONAL LIFE
Orlando Martins married Helen Meisels-Martin in 1967. He was a pioneering Yoruba Nigerian film and stage actor, widely regarded as one of the first Africans to achieve prominence in British and Hollywood cinema. He was keenly interested in the foundation of a Negro Theatre in London.
Filmography
No filmography available for this person yet.
Box Office
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₦5,331,351.00
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₦21,139,500.00
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₦15,261,240.00
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Popularity Score
Top 100% of African actors
