Veteran Nollywood actor Chinedu Ikedieze (MFR) has revealed that Hollywood child star Gary Coleman, best known for his iconic role in the classic sitcom Diff’rent Strokes, inspired him to pursue a career in acting.
Ikedieze made the revelation during a masterclass session for filmmakers at the ongoing Season 4 of Filmhouse Africa: The Cinema Edition, where he served as a coach and trainer. Speaking passionately about his journey into film, the actor said watching Gary Coleman’s performance as a child changed his perception of what was possible in acting.
“‘Diff’rent Strokes’ by Gary Coleman inspired me to go into movies. He was small, and I thought he was a little boy, not knowing he was a small man” Ikedieze said, recalling how Coleman’s charisma and confidence on screen resonated deeply with him growing up.
Gary Coleman, an American actor who rose to fame in the late 1970s and 1980s, became a household name for his role as Arnold Jackson; a character that broke barriers for young, unconventional actors in Hollywood. For Ikedieze, Coleman’s success story served as motivation to embrace his own uniqueness and step boldly into the world of entertainment.
During the session, the Aki na Ukwa star also reflected on his early days in Nollywood, revealing that he officially joined the industry in 1998 but didn’t achieve his major breakthrough until 2002, when his role in Aki na Ukwa alongside Osita Iheme turned him into a national sensation.
Chinedu Ikedieze, who studied Mass Communication at the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, later honed his craft at the New York Film Academy, graduating in 2004; an experience he described as life-changing for his artistic growth and understanding of global cinema.
The ongoing Filmhouse Africa Season 4: The Cinema Edition continues to spotlight key voices in the African film industry, providing mentorship, training, and insights for aspiring filmmakers and actors.
The show premieres on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, and airs every Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday on DStv Channel 262, GOtv Channel 129, and Startimes Channel 116.
