Veteran Nollywood actor Segun Arinze has revealed that his breakout role as Black Arrow in the 1990s film Silent Night nearly trapped him in a cycle of villainous typecasting, admitting he had to fight “very hard” to break free from the character that made him a household name.
In a wide-ranging interview with Saturday Punch’s Naomi Chima, the actor, voice-over artist, and former President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria reflected on a career spanning decades, from VHS-era Nollywood to the age of Netflix and social media stardom.
Arinze, whose portrayal of the menacing Black Arrow remains one of Nollywood’s most iconic villain roles, said the character changed his career trajectory but threatened to define him permanently.
“Success can sometimes become a cage if you allow people to define you by one character,” he said. “I deliberately sought out different roles. I wanted people to understand that Black Arrow was a character I played exceptionally well; he was not Segun Arinze.”
The actor said the experience taught him a enduring lesson: “An actor must never stop reinventing himself. If you don’t challenge the industry’s perception of you, it will happily keep you in the same box. Black Arrow may be legendary, but Segun Arinze is still writing the next chapter.”
Renowned for his voice-over work, Arinze described a rigorous daily routine that includes hydration, breathing exercises, vocal warm-ups, and articulation drills. But he also credited an unexpected habit: practising silence.
“I don’t believe you have to be talking all the time to be a great voice artist. Sometimes, resting the voice and listening are just as important as exercising it,” he said. “Every voice tells a story.”
Reflecting on Nollywood’s evolution from physical tapes to global streaming platforms, Arinze said the industry has gained unprecedented global access, with Nigerian stories now travelling “from Lagos to London, Los Angeles, Johannesburg or Tokyo almost instantly.”
However, he lamented the loss of “some of the rawness and innocence of storytelling.”
“During the VHS era, we didn’t have all the technology we have today, but we were hungry. Today, sometimes the pressure to make something ‘streamable’ or commercially attractive can overshadow the simple question: Is this a great story?”
The veteran actor did not mince words when asked whether Nollywood is doing enough to document its history.
“No, I don’t think we’re doing enough,” he said, warning that the industry risks losing “important people, stories, photographs, scripts, recordings and memories” without proper archiving.
“We need a serious Nollywood archive, a properly funded institution that documents the pioneers, films, posters, scripts, interviews and oral histories of our industry. The pioneers are not merely old actors; they are the living library of Nollywood.”
Arinze also weighed in on the growing influence of social media in the entertainment industry, cautioning that digital popularity should not be mistaken for talent.
“Followers are not talent, likes are not acting ability, and going viral is not the same thing as delivering a memorable performance,” he said. “When I started, your work had to speak for you. You couldn’t post yourself into being a great actor.”
Still, he acknowledged using social media himself, offering advice to younger creatives: “Let the numbers support your career, not become your career.”
As a former president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Arinze said his toughest decisions involved choosing between personal relationships and the welfare of the larger membership.
“I remain passionate about the Actors Guild because I have been there,” he said. “The guild must always put the actor at the centre of its existence.”
Looking ahead, the actor said his legacy should not be limited to his on-screen achievements.
“I want to create work that brings together acting, storytelling, voice, television and mentorship,” he said. “I don’t want my legacy to be simply that I was a successful actor. I want people to say, ‘He opened doors for other people.'”
Arinze also credited his family with keeping him grounded in an industry of extremes.
“This industry can give you applause today and silence tomorrow. Family reminds you that you are more than your last performance, your last award or your last headline,” he said.
The actor, who released a music album titled Dreams early in his career, said he does not view his music days as a missed opportunity.
“Everything I’ve done has fed the artist I am today,” he said. “I would love to portray a deeply complex historical African figure, somebody whose life carries contradictions, power, vulnerability, brilliance, failure, sacrifice and redemption. I want a role that stays with the audience long after the film ends.”
