Antar Laniyan: Iconic movie star still bossing on screen three decades later

Antar Laniyan has carved a niche for himself as one of the most established actors in Nollywood. His career has spanned has decades and, up to date, the veteran creative is still very much relevant, showing no signs of stopping anytime soon. 

The highly revered actor has starred in several Nollywood movies from the 1990s up till the present day. He also doubles as a filmmaker and director and has been involved in some of the most successful projects in the film industry in Nigeria.

So, who is Antar Laniyan, who remains a great inspiration for the younger generation working in Nollywood?

Table of Content hide 1 Antar Laniyan biography 2 Career 3 Family 4 How old is Antar Laniyan? 5 Antar Laniyan movies 6 Antar Laniyan net worth

Antar Laniyan biography

Antar Babatunde Laniyan, also known as Antar Laniyan, was born on 26 May in Osogbo, the current capital of Osun State. Although the year of his birth is not publicly known, it is thought that he was born in the 1960s.

He attended Baptist Secondary School in Lagos State. He then proceeded to the University of Ibadan, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts.

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In response to inquiries regarding his birth, the actor disclosed that he was conceived in his mother’s womb for longer than the recommended 9 months, which caused his parents to worry that they might lose him. As a result, his family sought the assistance of a spiritualist, who asked them to supply an iguana as one of the sacrificed items to be used in the preparation of a mixture meant specifically for his mother to be induced to labour and enable her to deliver the child safely.

His mother successfully delivered her child (Antar) after ingesting the mixture and as a result, his parents gave him the name Antar, in reverence of the life-saving iguana.

Laniyan was raised in the barracks where he resided with his mother, who oversaw the barrack market, widely referred to as the “Mammy market”. He remembers his father giving him the nickname “Antar D sango” after showing him a photograph of him playing the thunder-igniting god, Sango, in a theatrical play. He first began displaying his interest in acting in his high school years.

He had already developed into a full-fledged actor before gaining admission to the university. Ben Tomoloju, his mentor, encouraged him to pursue a university degree, regardless of being an actor. A former deputy editor of The Guardian newspaper, Tomoloju was a journalist, essayist, singer, and musician.

Laniyan revealed that he was mentored by the late Professor Dapo Adelugba and Dr Femi Fatoba, as well as his uncle, Bayo Oduneye, when he was an undergraduate and took part in several theatrical productions, including The Man Who Died and Murder In The Cathedral.

Career

Laniyan was principally influenced by a performance he saw at the 1977 Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC). He started acting in 1981 while under the mentorship of Pappy Ben (Ben Tomoloju), His first significant professional appearance was as a “major general” in the Kakaki Art Squad production, Everybody Wants to Know. 

He revealed that it was Pappy Ben who encouraged him to join the Kaakaki Arts drama group. Jahman Anikulapo and Tunji Sotimirin served as Laniyan’s coaches while he was a member of the group. They were in charge of helping him develop technically and become a more accomplished performer.

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Laniyan has appeared in several Nigerian movies, such as Sango. Later in his career, he metamorphosed from being seen in front of the camera to handling roles behind the scenes such as producer and director. He directed the debut episode of Super Story, an award-winning Nigerian soap opera created by Wale Adenuga in 2000. Additionally, he oversaw the direction of the Wale Adenuga Production stable’s This Life, and Oh Father Oh Daughter.

Family

Laniyan’s family consists of a wife and three children, two boys and a girl, all of whom are interested in entertainment.

He is known for his strict and ethical nature. However, the actor claimed that despite his tough persona, he is quite gentle and playful in his home. His wife, according to him, is one of his biggest critics. When he fails to play the romantic scene properly, he said she is usually one of the first to playfully reprimand him about it.

How old is Antar Laniyan?

Laniyan was born on May 26th. The exact year of his birth has not been made public. However, he is said to have been born in the 1960s.

Antar Laniyan movies

Laniyan has starred in numerous movies throughout his career. The majority of the movies he has been featured in are of the Yoruba genre of Nollywood. However, he has also starred in an impressive number of English-speaking movies.

Below is a selected part of his filmography:

• Last Request
• Sango
• The Return of Jenifa
• Black Val
• Akandun
• The Cleanser
• Eje adegbenro
• Contractors
• Eje adegbenro
• Idunu Mi
• Durodola
• Egun
• Hostages
• Ololade Omo Baba Olowo
• Oju Awe
• Most Wanted
• Arewa
• Oduduwa
• The Oap
• Akobi Gomina
• Olufunmi
• Wanted at all Cost

Antar Laniyan net worth

Laniyan makes a living from being an actor, a producer and a filmmaker, and he is one of the best in the business. Although there has not been any official confirmation of his net worth, it is estimated to range between N50 to N70 million.

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