Nollywood actor Uzor Arukwe, popularly known as Odogwu Paranran, has opened up about the severe challenges he encountered within the first year of his marriage to Barbara Boyd-Arukwe. In a candid interview on Tope Olowoniyan TV, the actor revealed that he lost his job, suffered a car accident, and experienced significant financial hardship within three months of tying the knot.
Loss of Job and Financial Turmoil
Arukwe disclosed that he got married in August and lost his job in November of the same year. He described the period as chaotic, stating, "The same year that I settled down, I lost my job. I got married in August, and I lost my job in November. That happened, and my finances just went crazy. At that same period, I had an accident with my car. It was stupid, it was a mess."
The actor explained that his financial situation became so dire that he struggled to pay his house rent. While others were enjoying the festive season, he was preoccupied with financial obligations. "I am not spending, I am not partying, I’m literally calculating stuff. My rent was due every January and when my first daughter came, school fees happened too. So, yes, my finances have been a mess for the longest," he added.
Transition to Full-Time Acting
The challenging period coincided with Arukwe's decision to leave the corporate world and pursue acting full-time. He noted that his wife advised him to focus on providing for the family during this transition. Arukwe also highlighted the lack of a support system, saying, "I had zero person to fall on because my father was a tough-love type of guy. He was a Biafra soldier. He no send your papa. My mom is caring but she didn’t have as much money as my father did."
Father's Disapproval of Acting Career
In related news, Arukwe previously revealed that his father was initially unconvinced about acting as a valid profession. Despite the actor's growing success in Nollywood, his father deliberately chose not to acknowledge his work. This added emotional strain to the financial struggles Arukwe faced after marriage.
Public Reaction and Support
Arukwe also trended recently over his response to a netizen who advised him to stop partnering with colleague Bambam due to her marital saga. The actor slammed the X user, stating he could never be him, which earned applause from fans.
Uzor Arukwe is known for his roles in films such as A Tribe Called Judah, Prophetess, Hire a Woman, and Love In Every Word. He got married in August, though the exact year and date remain private.
