Elizabeth Benson, better known by her stage name Liz Benson, is a Nigerian actress, television personality, and philanthropist. She is one of the most popular and respected actresses in Nigeria, and has starred in over 100 films.
Benson was born in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, on April 5, 1966. She attended the University of Calabar, where she studied English Language and Literature. After graduating, she moved to Lagos to pursue a career in acting.
Benson made her acting debut in the 1993 television soap opera, Fortunes. She went on to star in several other popular soap operas, including Ripples and Super Story. She also starred in several hit films, including Glamour Girls, Back to Life, and Last Warning.
Benson is a versatile actress who has played a wide range of roles. She has starred in films of all genres, including drama, comedy, and thriller. She is known for her powerful performances and her ability to bring characters to life.
Benson is also a philanthropist who is committed to helping others. She is the founder of the Liz Benson Foundation, which provides educational and medical assistance to children in need. She is also a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Population Fund.
Benson is a talented actress, a dedicated philanthropist, and a role model for many. She is a true icon of the Nigerian film industry.
Facts about Liz Benson
- Early Life and Education: Liz Benson was born on April 5, 1966, in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. She had her primary education at Hope Waddell Training Institution in Calabar and later attended the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) College in Jos, Plateau State.
- Acting Career: Benson began her acting career in the late 1980s and rose to prominence in the Nigerian film industry, Nollywood, during the 1990s. She featured in several popular movies and became one of the most sought-after actresses of her time.
- Iconic Roles: Benson is well-known for her portrayal of strong female characters in Nollywood movies. One of her most iconic roles was in the movie “Glamour Girls” (1994), where she played the character Oge. Her performance in the film earned her widespread recognition and acclaim.
- Awards and Recognitions: Benson has received numerous awards and accolades for her contributions to the Nigerian film industry. She won the Best Actress award at the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) in 2003 for her role in the movie “A Night in the Philippines.”
- Transition to Evangelism: In the late 1990s, Benson experienced a spiritual transformation and became a born-again Christian. She subsequently shifted her focus from acting to evangelism, using her platform to spread the gospel and inspire others through her ministry.
- Humanitarian Work: Apart from her acting and evangelism, Benson is actively involved in various charitable and humanitarian causes. She has been involved in campaigns against HIV/AIDS, advocating for awareness and support for affected individuals.
- Television Presenting: Benson has also ventured into television presenting. She hosted a talk show called “Inner View with Liz Benson” on NTA, where she interviewed and engaged with notable personalities.
- Return to Acting: While focusing on her ministry, Benson has made occasional returns to acting. She has appeared in a few recent Nollywood productions, showcasing her enduring talent and versatility.
Educational and Acting career of Liz Benson
Liz Benson was born in Etinan, Akwa Ibom State in southern Nigeria. She attended Sylvania State College in the United States of America, where she got a degree in Dramatic Arts. Benson began acting when she was 5 years old.
Some of her more popular roles include her role as Titubi in Femi Osofisan’s Morountodun and as Mrs. Agnes Johnson in Fortunes, a soap opera that ran for about two years on Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Channel 10. She acted in a number of Nollywood video-films such as Evil Men 1 and 2, Shame, Conspiracy, Izaga, Burden, Stolen Child, Faces, Dead End, Tycoon, Glamour Girls, Body of Vengeance and a horde of other movies which includes:
- Fortunes (1993)
- Ripples (1996)
- Super Story (1998)
- Glamour Girls (1994)
- Back to Life (1997)
- Last Warning (2002)
- Lotanna (2017)
- Bridgestone (2022)
Benson has won several awards for her acting, including the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. She is also a recipient of the Nigerian National Merit Award.
Benson is a talented actress who has made a significant contribution to the Nigerian film industry. She is a role model for young women and an inspiration to all who aspire to achieve success in their chosen field.
Here is a more detailed timeline of her educational and acting career:
- 1971-1976: Attends primary school in Etinan, Akwa Ibom State.
- 1976-1982: Attends secondary school in Calabar, Cross River State.
- 1982-1986: Attends Sylvania State College in the United States of America, where she gets a degree in Dramatic Arts.
- 1986-1988: Returns to Nigeria and begins her acting career.
- 1988-1993: Stars in several popular soap operas, including Fortunes, Ripples, and Super Story.
- 1994: Stars in the hit film, Glamour Girls.
- 1997: Stars in the hit film, Back to Life.
- 2002: Stars in the hit film, Last Warning.
- 2017: Stars in the hit film, Lotanna.
- 2022: Stars in the hit film, Bridgestone.
Benson is a force to be reckoned with in the Nigerian film industry. She is a talented actress, a dedicated philanthropist, and a role model for many. She is an inspiration to all who aspire to achieve success in their chosen field.
Challenges and Wins of Liz Benson
Challenges
- Gender discrimination: As a woman in the Nigerian film industry, Benson has faced gender discrimination. She has been told that she is not good enough, that she is not beautiful enough, and that she will never be successful.
- Body image issues: Benson has also faced body image issues. She has been told that she is too fat, that she is too thin, and that she needs to change her appearance in order to be successful.
- Personal struggles: Benson has also faced personal struggles, such as a divorce and a miscarriage. These struggles have made it difficult for her to focus on her career at times.
Wins
- Awards: Benson has won several awards for her acting, including the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role.
- Popularity: Benson is one of the most popular actresses in Nigeria. She has a large fan base and is respected by her peers.
- Impact: Benson has used her platform to raise awareness about important issues, such as gender discrimination and body image. She is an inspiration to many young women.
Despite the challenges she has faced, Liz Benson has achieved great success in her career. She is a talented actress who has made a significant contribution to the Nigerian film industry. She is a role model for young women and an inspiration to all who aspire to achieve success in their chosen field.
Social Media Handles Liz Benson
Instagram: @officiallizbenson
Facebook: Liz Benson-Ameye
Twitter: @lizbensonreal
Movies
- Still Falling (2024)
- Lotanna (2017)
- Children of Mud (2017)
- Lizard Life (2017)
- Hilarious Hilary (2015)
- Dearest Mummy (2015)
- Dry (2014)
- Toko taya (2007)
- Political Control (2006)
- Political Control 2 (2006)
- Political Control 3 (2006)
- Bridge-Stone (2005)
- Bridge-Stone 2 (2005)
- Crazy Passion (2005)
- Crazy Passion 2(2005)
- Day of Atonement (2005)
- Now & Forever(2005)
- Now & Forever 2 (2005)
- Squad Twenty-Three (2005)
- Squad Twenty-Three 2 (2005)
- Women in Power (2005)
- Women in Power 2 (2005)
- Inheritance (2004)
- Melody of Life (2004)
- Red Hot (2004)
- Turn Table (2004)
- Turn Table 2 (2004)
- World Apart (2004)
- World Apart 2 (2004)
- Èèkù-idà (2002)
- Èèkù-idà 2 (2002)
- Wisdom and Riches (2002)
- Wisdom and Riches 2 (2002)
- Dapo Junior (2000) …. Ronke
- Chain Reaction (1999)
- Diamond Ring (1998)
- Diamond Ring 2 (1998)
- Scores to Settle (1998)
- Witches (1998)
- Back to Life (1997)
- True Confession (1995)
- Glamour Girls (1994)
- Silenced (????)
- Hour of Grace
Legacy and Awards
- Acting Legacy: Liz Benson’s contributions to Nollywood during the 1990s solidified her as one of the industry’s most iconic actresses. She portrayed strong female characters and brought depth and authenticity to her roles, setting a standard for acting in Nigerian films.
- Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA): In 2003, Benson won the Best Actress award at the AMAA for her exceptional performance in the movie “A Night in the Philippines.” This recognition highlighted her talent and the impact she made as an actress.
- Lifetime Achievement Awards: Benson has received several Lifetime Achievement Awards to honor her significant contributions to the Nigerian film industry. These awards acknowledge her lasting impact and her role as a pioneer in Nollywood.
- Evangelism and Ministry: After her spiritual transformation and transition to evangelism, Benson’s legacy expanded beyond acting. She became an influential evangelist, using her platform to spread the gospel and inspire others. Her commitment to her faith and ministry has left a lasting impact on the lives of many.
- Role Model and Inspiration: Throughout her career, Benson has served as a role model for aspiring actors and actresses in Nigeria. Her professionalism, versatility, and dedication to her craft have inspired many individuals, both within the entertainment industry and beyond.
- Philanthropy and Humanitarian Work: Benson has been involved in various charitable and humanitarian causes, leveraging her platform to make a positive impact. Her efforts in advocating for HIV/AIDS awareness and supporting affected individuals have contributed to her legacy as a compassionate and socially conscious figure.
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