Renowned Nollywood actor Pope Odonwodo, famously known as Junior Pope, tragically lost his life in a devastating boat accident.

The heartbreaking news was confirmed on Wednesday, April 10, by filmmaker Samuel Olatunji, who revealed that Junior Pope and three other actors perished when their boat capsized.

“Four actors, including Jnr Pope, fell into Anam River while en route to a shooting location, and regrettably, their bodies have been recovered,” shared Olatunji on his Instagram page. “This is a somber day for Nollywood. Our deepest sympathies are with the bereaved families.”

As of the time of reporting, the identities of the other three actors have not been disclosed.

Junior Pope is survived by his wife and three children, leaving behind a void in the industry and in the hearts of many.

In a poignant video shared on his Instagram page just before the tragedy, Junior Pope, visibly without a life jacket, could be seen urging the boat captain to proceed cautiously. His words, “I have three children to raise,” serve as a haunting reminder of the risks actors undertake to entertain audiences.

In the accompanying caption, he expressed his dismay, shedding light on the perilous nature of their profession: “See me lamenting… The risks we take to entertain you; crossing river 9ja yesterday with no life jacket… It’s unbelievable… Who does that ??”

Junior Pope’s contributions to Nollywood include memorable roles in films such as “Secret Adventures,” “Eye of the Eagle,” “Bitter Generation,” “Wrong Initiation,” and “Honey Money,” among others. His untimely demise is a profound loss to the industry and a stark reminder of the dangers inherent in the pursuit of art.