Majid Michel, Majid Michel…do you feel as I do that he suddenly appeared out of nowhere and took the African movie industry by storm? I mean, who knew there was a Ghollywood [Ghana Movie Industry] until the quartet of Majid Michel, Van Vicker, Jackie Appiah and Nadia Buari showed up on our screens? Of course, a lot more Ghanaian stars have since shot into prominence, but today is Majid’s turn to be feted.
Born to a Lebanese father and a Ghanaian mother ‘Paulina Olympio’, at Komodzi hospital, Cantonments, Accra on the 22nd of September 1980, Majid grew up in in Accra, Ghana with…wait for it…ten siblings, of which one is demised. He attended St. Theresa’s Primary School, and later, the Mfantsipim School, the alma mater of former United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan. In secondary school, Majid was actively involved in the theatre and was a member of the school’s Drama Club; garnering awards for his acting prowess even at that level.
The dashing dude who once declared that acting was all he ever wanted to do, cemented his resolve by enrolling in the Academy of Screen Arts, Ghana. He studied broadcasting, performance, editing, writing, acting and majored in directing.
One Foot in the Door…
After secondary school, Majid joined the modelling agency “Super Model Agency” while concurrently studying at the aforementioned Academy of Screen Arts. He eventually got a role in a series ‘Things We Do For Love’ which was originally produced for radio, and broadcast on Joy FM. As the show gained followership, its producer Ivan Quashigah, recreated it for TV broadcast, and dear Majid got a foot in the door. The other feet, and well, his entire being gained grand entrance when Director Jayke Aernan cast Majid in his first film ‘Divine Love’ in 2004. The die was cast; Majid was well on his way to international celebrity’hood’.
With a filmography of over 50 movies, nominations and awards to boot, Majid has become a highly sought after actor in the industry for his ability to cloak himself in the role of the characters and deliver captivating performances. The Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) has nominated him four times for the Best Actor category, and he finally clinched it in 2012 when he won the Best Actor in a Leading Role award for ‘Somewhere in Africa.’ He has won the 2010 Zafaa Awards for Best Actor for the movie ‘Silent Scandals’ and the 2010 Actor of the Year Award in a leading role for ‘The Beast’ at the Ghana Movie Awards. He also won the Best Actor award at the 2011 NAFCA Award for the film ‘Somewhere in Africa’.
Just a month ago in April, 2013, the city of Philadelphia, USA honoured Majid Michel and John Dumelo for exemplary performances in both film and charity work.
Talking about charity, Majid founded the Majiwoc Foundation whose objective is to partner with various reputable and credible Non Profit Organizations in Ghana and other parts of the world in making a difference in various humanitarian causes. This includes but is not limited to the provision of clean and safe water, sanitation and hygiene in rural communities in Ghana and beyond. Majid is also in partnership with Ad-visors Ghana Limited, a production company. They produce documentaries and are involved in several charitable projects.
Handsome Majid [I have mentioned that already right?] is a husband and father of two lovely daughters.
So what makes Majid tick? Me thinks it be pure and unadulterated passion. He just loves to do what he does, capeesh!
