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Veteran Nollywood actor Davis Ofor, best known for his role as Clarus in the 1980s Nigerian sitcom New Masquerade, has died at the age of 85.
Fellow actor Tony Akposheri shared the news on Instagram on Tuesday, but he did not disclose the cause of Ofor’s death.
Akposheri wrote, “Today, my heart is heavy. Davis Ofor, fondly known as Davis Ofor, our own Clarus from New Masquerade, is gone. We crossed into the New Year together, laughing, talking, sharing memories, and speaking hopefully about the days ahead. We spoke about life, about plans, about how far we had come. None of us knew that time was already counting differently for you.
“Life, as always, had its own plans. You were more than a familiar face on screen. You were a friend, a brother, a man with warmth, humour, and a presence that could light up any space. Knowing you personally was a gift I will always be grateful for.
“It is hard to believe that the voice I heard not long ago is now a memory. Hard to accept that someone so full of life can suddenly become a story we tell.”
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Ofor became a household name for his portrayal of Clarus Mgbeojikwe, the loyal houseboy to Giringory, in New Masquerade, which aired on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) every Tuesday from the mid-1970s to the mid-1990s.
Created and written by James Iroha, the sitcom is considered one of Nigeria’s longest-running and most influential television comedies.
Clarus’ performance earned Ofor national acclaim and made him one of the most recognisable characters in Nigerian television history.
Later in life, Ofor became visually impaired but continued to focus on his faith. In 1989, he was ordained as a minister in the Aetherius Churches in London.
In a 2009 interview with Modern Ghana, he said he left comedy not because of his condition but to devote himself to God.
