Van Vicker
| Joseph van Vicker | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Joseph van Vicker 1 August 1977 Ghana |
| Occupation | Film, television actor |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Website |
vanvickerofficial |
Joseph van Vicker (born 1 August 1977), better known as Van Vicker, is a Ghanaian actor. He received two nominations for "Best Actor in a Leading Role" and "Best Upcoming Actor" at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2008.[1][2]
Early life
Vicker was born to a Ghanaian/Liberian mother[3] and a Dutch father.[4][5][6] His father died when he was six years old.[5] He has often cited in interviews that he considers himself a global citizen as he was raised all over the world by his mother. Due to the early death of his father Vicker has stated that he is very close to his mother and considers her his hero.
Vicker attended Mfantsipim School,[7] along with fellow actor Majid Michel. Mfantsipim is also the alma mater of former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan.
Career
Television
Vicker started out in the entertainment world in radio as a presenter at Groove 106.3 fm (1999–2000) & Vibe 91.9fm (2001–04) and as a television personality for TV3 Ghana (1997–99) & Metro TV (2000–04), Vicker appeared in the Ghanaian television series Suncity, which depicted university life. He played the character of LeRoy King, Jr, a fine arts student born in the U.S. who arrives at Suncity to complete his education. The series ran for a total of 10 episodes.[8]
Film
Soon, Vicker was cast in his first film Divine Love as a supporting character. This film coincidentally was also the debut roles for fellow actors Jackie Aygemang and Majid Michel who were cast in the female and male lead respectively.[9]
Vicker is usually cast as the male romantic lead, often alongside actresses Jackie Aygemang and Nadia Buari. He is often compared to fellow Ghanaian actor Majid Michel and Nigerian Ramsey Nouah.[5]
Nollywood breakthrough
Vicker has appeared in numerous Nollywood films alongside prominent Nollywood actors, including Tonto Dikeh, Mercy Johnson, Stephanie Okereke, Chika Ike and Jim Iyke. His Nollywood movies include My Soul Mate, Heart of Fire, Popular King, Gambling with Marriage, Harvest of Love, Stolen Will, The Joy of a Prince, Discovered, The Kingdom and Against the law.
International success
Vicker is one of the renowned African actors worldwide. He has directed, starred and produced five films under his sky + Orange Productions since 2008. 2012 was the brightest year for his production house earning him best actor and director for his smash comedy Joni waka.[10]
Vicker has won and has been nominated for numerous awards from Africa to the Caribbean. Awards include Ghana Movie Awards, ACRAG awards and the Nollywood Academy Films Critics’ Awards. In 2009, he won the Best African Caribbean actor and Best Actor African American and in 2011 he won the Pan African creative actor.[11] In 2013, he won the Best International Actor award at the Papyrus Magazine Screen Actors Awards (PAMSAA) 2013, which was held in Abuja, Nigeria.[12]
Personal life and other projects
Vicker is married to Adjoa Vicker and they have three children, two daughters and a son.[5] He is the CEO of Sky + Orange Productions, a film production house. Van Vicker Training facility is the latest entrepreneurship of Vicker, where students are trained in the field in acting by professionals. The Van Vicker Foundation is an outreach program for the youth.[5]
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 4th Africa Movie Academy Awards | Best Actor in a Leading Role | Return Of Beyonce/Princess Tyra | Nominated |
| Best Upcoming Actor | Nominated[1][2] | |||
| 2009 | Afro-Hollywood Award | Best Actor (African film category) | Won[8][13] | |
| 2010 | 2010 Ghana Movie Awards | Best Actor Leading Role (Local Film) | Dna Test | Nominated |
| 2011 | 2011 Ghana Movie Awards | Best Actor Leading Role | Paparazzi | Nominated |
| 2011 | Pan African Film Festival | Africa Channel's Creative Achievement Award | Himself | Won[14] |
| 2012 | Nafca | Best Comedy Movie | Joni Waka | Won |
| 2013 | 2013 Ghana Movie Awards | Best Actor (Local Film) | Joni Waka | Won[15] |
| Pyprus Magazine Screen Actors Awards | Best International Actor | Won | ||
| 2014 | 2014 Ghana Movie Awards | Favourite Actor | Nominated | |
| 2016 | 2016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards | Best Actor Drama/Series | A long Night | Nominated |
| 2016 Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Actor Africa/Non Nigerian | Nominated | ||
| KumaWood Awards | Best Collaboration | Broni W'awu | Won |
Filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Divine Love | with Majid Michel & Jackie Aygemang | |
| 2006 | Beyonce: The President's Daughter | Raj | with Nadia Buari & Jackie Aygemang |
| Darkness of Sorrow | CK (Charles) | with Nadia Buari | |
| Mummy's Daughter | with Nadia Buari & Jackie Aygemang & Okediji Alexandra | ||
| The Return of Beyonce | Raj | with Nadia Buari & Jackie Aygemang | |
| 2007 | American Boy | "Nelly" | with Nadia Buari |
| I Hate Women | Rocky | with Jackie Aygemang | |
| Innocent Soul | |||
| In the Eyes of My Husband | Leo | with Nadia Buari | |
| Princess Tyra | Kay | with Jackie Aygemang, Yvonne Nelson | |
| Royal Battle | Lawrence | with Majid Michel & Jackie Aygemang | |
| Slave to Lust | with Nadia Buari, Ini Edo, Mike Ezuruonye & Olu Jacobs | ||
| Wedlock of the Gods | |||
| 2008 | Broken Tears | Ben | with Genevieve Nnaji & Kate Henshaw-Nuttal |
| Corporate Maid | Desmond | ||
| Friday Night | |||
| Jealous Princess | Sam | with Chika Ike & Oge Okoye | |
| River of Tears | Ben | with Genevieve Nnaji & Kate Henshaw-Nuttal | |
| Total Love | Nick | with Jackie Aygemang | |
| 2009 | Twilight Sisters | Micky | with Oge Okoye |
| Royal War | Uzodimma | with Ini Edo, Rachael Okonkwo | |
| 2009 | Beyond Conspiracy[16] | Michael | |
| 2010 | Discovered[16] | ||
| 2010 | Loyal Enemies[16] | ||
| 2010 | Kingdom in Flames[17] | ||
| 2011 | Paparazzi Eye In The Dark | Rich | |
| 2013 | One Night In Vegas | Tony | with Jimmy Jean-Louis, Michael Blackson, Sarodj Bertin |
| 2016 | Skinned | Robert/ Bobby | with LisaRaye McCoy, Jasmine Burke |
| 2017 | Cop's Enemy | Christopher "Shadow" Ifechi | |
| Pending | Day After Death | with Wema Sepetu |
References
- 1 2 "Africa Movie Academy Awards’ nominees take a bow in Josies". Retrieved 23 October 2009.
- 1 2 "AMAA Nominees and Winners 2008". Africa Movie Academy Award. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
- ↑ http://allafrica.com/stories/200904200343.html
- ↑ Olatunji, Samuel (21 January 2010). "My life, my story, my wife— Van Vicker". The Daily Sun. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Van's Biography". www.vanvicker.com. Archived from the original on 28 March 2009. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
- ↑ "Van Vicker (the well-known African actor) in Boston". Massachusetts, USA: BELMIZIK-FM. 6 May 2009. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
- ↑ "Van Vicker". .ghanacelebrities.com. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
- 1 2 "Van Vicker - Exploits of a Ghanaian in Nollywood". AllAfrica.com. AllAfrica Global Media. 15 January 2010. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
- ↑ ""If I Was Here There Would Be No Majid"…. Van Vicker". ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
- ↑ "Van Vicker Wins NAFCA Best Comedy Award". Retrieved 22 February 2015.
- ↑ "Van Vicker stays Winning!". Retrieved 22 February 2015.
- ↑ "Van Vicker wins Best International Actor at PAMSAA 2013". Retrieved 22 February 2015.
- ↑ Akande, Victor (15 November 2010). "London agog for Afro Hollywood Award 2009". The Nation. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
- ↑ "Van Vicker To Receive Creative Award At The 20th Annual Pan African Film Festival", News Ghana, 1 February 2012.
- ↑ "Nadia Buari & Van Vicker Bag Best Actress and Actor at 2012 Ghana Movie Awards". twimovies. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
- 1 2 3 "Van Vicker". Van Vicker. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
- ↑ "Movies". Van Vicker. Retrieved 23 April 2016.