RMD Rejects ‘Legend’ Title, Says It Feels Like a Retirement Tag
Veteran Nollywood actor Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD) has dismissed the popular “legend” label often attached to his name, describing it as a term that feels more like a premature send-off than a compliment.
In a recent episode of the Curiosity Made Me Ask podcast, the 63-year-old screen icon said he does not consider himself a legend despite his decades-long influence in the Nigerian film industry. Instead, he reserved the title for industry elders such as Pete Edochie and Olu Jacobs, whom he described as the true trailblazers of Nigerian cinema.
“I think the legend of a thing is a scam,” RMD said. “I have my legends like Uncle Pete and Uncle Olu Jacobs. These are our ancestors and real legends.”
He added that the label often seems to carry the implication that his best years are behind him. “When they call me that, I feel like they’re trying to put me in the zone of retired people or those approaching the end,” he said.
Having launched his acting career in 1982, RMD has remained a powerful force in Nollywood, taking on lead roles and mentoring emerging talents. Despite the passage of time, he insists his journey in the film industry is far from over.
“I still have so much to offer,” he noted. “Calling me a legend feels like trying to box me into a corner I’m not ready to be in.”
