How I Joined Nollywood - Patrick Onyeocha Tawrycki

Nollywood actor, Patrick Ifeanyi Onyeocha Tawrycki who often acts as a white man (oyinbo) has narrated how he started his acting career in 2005 in his first movie titled 'Captain'.

My Sojourn in Nollywood

It all started like a joke back in December 2005. I was still at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, when an acquaintance told me that his friend was looking for a white guy who could speak both English and Igbo to play the role of a priest in a movie.

Honestly, I had never imagined myself as an actor—I actually disliked the idea because of the wayward lifestyle I believed most actors lived. But after some thought, I decided that if the pay was right, why not give it a try?

That was how I met the producer (Kasvid Movies of blessed memory) and the director, ikechukwu Onyeka. They explained everything to me, and after we negotiated, they told me I had to shave my moustache (which I always carried then). I agreed—it was no big deal since I was getting paid.

I read the script, and the D-day finally came. The moment I saw Nkem Owoh (Osuofia) and John Okafor (Mr. Ibu) on set, all my confidence disappeared! I kept wondering, how on earth will I act alongside these legends and still keep my composure?

The first two days were hell. I realized there’s a huge difference between just reading lines and actually acting them. I was stiff, and it showed. The director noticed and gave me a day’s break, explaining how to relax into the role.

One thing I also picked up was how Nkem Owoh worked—he didn’t follow the script word for word. He simply understood the scene, absorbed the lines, and delivered them in his own natural way. I decided to do the same: instead of reciting, I absorbed my lines and delivered them in my own style. That was when things started clicking.

Of course, if you watch the movie Captain, you might notice I looked jittery in a few scenes—that was during those first two days. But after that, I found my rhythm. We spent about two weeks on set, and by the end of it, I was able to cope and even enjoy the process.

When the movie finally came out, many people who knew me were shocked. Some laughed, saying they couldn’t believe I actually acted in Nollywood, while others praised me, especially for the Igbo speaking role. It became a talking point among my friends and course mates, and even though I never took acting as a career then, that experience gave me a deep respect for the craft and the people in the industry.

Looking back now, it’s funny how what started as a “joke” turned into such a memorable milestone in my life.