Dare Babalola
Veteran Nollywood actor and lecturer, Patrick Okoye, popularly known as Patosky or Energy, is dead.
The actor’s death was announced on Thursday through a post shared on his Instagram page featuring his photograph with the caption, “Rest in peace, legend.”
His colleague, Ken Erics, also confirmed the development in a tribute posted on Instagram on Friday.
The cause of death was not disclosed.
Okoye was a professor and lecturer in the Department of Theatre Arts and Film Studies at Nnamdi Azikiwe University.
Reacting to the news, Ken Erics described the actor’s death as shocking, revealing that they had spoken barely 24 hours before his passing.
“This one hits hard because we spoke barely 24 hours before your demise, and you were hale and hearty,” he wrote.
Erics said the late actor played a major role in shaping his career, noting that Okoye encouraged him to study Theatre Arts and mentored several young talents in the entertainment industry.
According to him, the late actor was known for nurturing upcoming actors, guiding students during auditions and inspiring many through his work as an actor, singer and choreographer.
He described Okoye as “a very energetic and skilled dancer, an exceptional actor and a great singer.”
Erics added that the entertainment industry had suffered a heavy loss with the actor’s death.
Patrick Okoye gained popularity for playing elder statesman roles such as Igwe and Onowu in Nollywood films.
He featured in several movies including Midnight Love, Old School, Finding a Wife, The Lion, The Jagaban and Over My Dead Body.
During his acting career, he worked alongside Nollywood stars including Patience Ozokwor, Osita Iheme, Chinedu Ikedieze and Yul Edochie.
