For now, there is nothing to indicate slightly that cross over and celebrated actor, Prince Jide Akanni Kosoko, was a dreaded teenage rascal, whom most parents dreaded then with stern warning to their children to distant themselves from him. His parents were embarrassed and disturbed as a result. But disturbingly, the young Kosoko was adamant. In fact, the more his parents tried to change him, the more rascally he became. This titillating update and other gist about his growing up years, how he delved into acting at 10 years, the magic behind his fluency in English productions years after being in Yoruba ones and other interesting revelations about Jide Kosoko and his acting career, he revealed to our Contributing Editor, IFECHI OKOH, when they met. Happy reading.

Give us an insight into your background for your teeming followers to know you better?

My name is Prince Jide Akanni Kosoko, born 12^thJanuary, 1954, to the Kosoko royal family of Lagos. I grew up in the Ebutte-Metta axis of Lagos State.

We knew you with Yoruba movie acting which even shot you into focus. May we know how it all started for you?

I remember vividly that it all began for me in 1964, when I was 10 years old. This was when a tenant in our compound where I lived realised my potential as a future actor and so, decided to help me nurture this potential by simply inviting me to one of his rehearsals at their base. We called him uncle Dele Toyinbo. His local theatre company then, was Ifelodun Theatre. I still remember that my first small boy’s roll, Alabi was on stage and later TV in the year 1964. The production title was Makankuola.

How would you describe your childhood days and were they memorable?

Oh yes! They were vibrant and memorable too. I was actually a rascal in those days. During such times, I was involved in various activities, including staging masquerades at Easter and Christmas periods. I was a team leader of the rascals at my tender age. It was quite incredible! All rascal activities were linked to me. As a result, some highly disciplined parents then forbade their children from associating with me because they dreaded me and my activities. My parents, on their part, were concerned and disturbed too over my rascal activities. Hence, they developed various punishment strategies to curb my rascality. But funny enough, I was just too strong for all that.

Were you brilliant to compensate for this distraction of a sort?

Oh yeah! I was brilliant, although I was an average student because of the distraction coming from my involvement in literary activities, especially grammatical ones. However, my results at the end of the day were not bad. They were encouraging, in other words.

May we know the factors that propelled you into Yoruba acting as your first love?

When I started at the age of 10 years, I have never had any cause to look back till I got to the height I am. I really thank God for ensuring that I didn’t give up to any distraction, despite attendant challenges.

Did you enjoy your stay in the Yoruba movie productions for the long time you were there?

Yes, I did and I participated in no fewer than 60 per cent of celluloid films produced in Nigeria. My orientation of starting from the Yoruba traditional theatre may have helped matters greatly.

At what time did you decide to embrace the English productions?

From the onset, I have been doing English productions. Maybe many people may not have noticed it much as my Yoruba productions because they were much more than the English ones.

What is the magic of your flowing in English productions just like that of the Yoruba?

Magic? Don’t you know that I am educated? Be informed that I studied Business Admin in Yaba College of Technology and performing arts at the Olabisi Onabanjo University in Ogun State. Moreover, acting in any genre is the same in English and Yoruba productions. You can now place my fluency in both productions I guess.

Which of your English productions was the loudest?

I think it was the Palace, a rested Tv series where I played the role of Dr. Lucas. My fans cherished my acting there, hence it was loud and memorable till date. Honestly!

Have you finally graduated from your age-long love from acting to productions and directing or just productions or directing alone?

Not quite! I am still in love with acting. Hence more of it for now!

May we know those things you hate with passion in both Yoruba and English productions?

There is nothing really. The only aspect is that there are not too strong network distribution channels. However, I strongly believed that with time, they will conquer this challenge. I know it is a matter of time.

May we know if it is Yoruba or English productions that is more challenging?

It is obviously in Yoruba because they are no scripts most time. It is unlike the English productions, which have scripts.