Veteran Nollywood actor Dele Odule has revealed that he once considered buying his own coffin during a period of severe frustration and hardship in the early days of his acting career.
In an interview published by punchng.com�, the actor recounted how financial struggles and criticism from people around him pushed him into depression while he was still in his late 20s.
According to Odule, he could barely afford to feed himself once a day after leaving the teaching profession to pursue acting, a decision many people around him criticised. He said the constant ridicule and uncertainty about his future in the entertainment industry left him emotionally devastated.
The actor explained that his frustration worsened because he was owed money for television productions he featured in at NTA 12. He disclosed that despite producing a weekly programme and earning about N500 per episode, payments were delayed and often made in bits, leaving him stranded financially.
Odule said the emotional burden became so overwhelming that he contemplated ending his life and even considered buying his own coffin. However, his mentor, Pa Olatunbosun Odunsi, intervened after learning about his condition.
The veteran actor narrated that Odunsi invited him out one night, took him hunting in the bush, and spent hours counselling and encouraging him not to give up on life and his dreams.
Following the encounter, Odule said he decided to persevere and began accepting acting jobs he would normally have rejected, not necessarily for the money but to remain active in the industry and push himself forward. That determination later paved the way for his breakthrough role in the popular production Ti Oluwa N’ile in 1993.
Speaking further on challenges in Nollywood, Odule argued that exploitation was not peculiar to the movie industry alone, adding that many upcoming actors often focus solely on fame instead of discovering other aspects of theatre and entertainment where they could thrive.
He also criticised veteran actors who leave the industry for many years and later return expecting special recognition or opportunities. According to him, consistency and dedication are essential for lasting relevance in the entertainment sector.
The actor advised entertainers to maximise opportunities while they are still relevant and prepare for life beyond fame, stressing that success in entertainment is never permanent.
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