If you talk about acting in Nollywood and Africa as a whole, the name of Ghanaian actress Jacke Appiah, will definitely pop up.

Though she started her career at a very young age fame and marriage have not deterred her. Instead, she has gone ahead to make a major impact in the movie industry.

As she turns a year older, here are some important things to know about her:

Early Life

She was born on the 5th of December, 1983 in Canada and spent her early childhood there. She was born to Mr. Kwabena Appiah, the younger brother of the late Joe Appiah, a famous Lawyer in Kumasi and is the last of five children.

She moved to Ghana with her mother at the age of 10. She was a runner-up at the Talent Teens Competition.

 Career

Jackie started acting at the age of 12 in her local church group.

Her acting career started professionally when she starred in the popular TV series ‘Things We Do for Love’. Through her role as Enyonam Blagogee, she warmed her way into the hearts of viewers across Ghana.

The series aimed at sexual reproductive health education also earned Jackie her first TV Commercial when she starred in the Ghana Social Marketing Foundation (GSMF) commercial on protection against HIV/AIDS. She also acted in Tentacles, Games people play, Sun City and many other TV series.

In 2004 she received her first movie role, a lead role in ‘Divine Love’,  starring Majid Michel and Van Vicker.

Following her on-screen debut, Jackie went on to create a successful acting career including starring in the smash hit movie “Beyoncé”. She has also acted in many other movies like ‘The Return of Beyonce, Princess Tyra, Passion, and Soul, 4play, 4play Reloaded, The King Is Mine, Perfect Picture, Death after Birth, Stigma, The President’s Daughter and The Prince’s Bride.

Because of her success in Ghanaian films, it wasn’t hard for Jackie to break into Nollywood. In 2007, She received her first role in Nigeria in ‘Sleep Walker’ starring Genevieve Nnaji and Ramsey Noah.  Her notable Nollywood films include Black soul, Bitter Blessing, and My Last Wedding.

Jackie’s face has graced many billboards and many magazines in Ghana. She won the face of UB(cosmetics) in a promotion she did for them on TV commercials. She has also cashed in on her status as she has endorsed many products and was the spokesperson for HIV/AIDS awareness campaign in Ghana.

Jackie Appiah Foundation

Jackie has a foundation called The Jackie Appiah Foundation where she helps the elderly and needy. She makes it a point of duty to celebrate her birthday with the less privileged in societies instead of having a private party.

She spends these special days with kids at various hospitals and orphanages.

13 Classy Looks You Would Love To Steal From Jackie Appiah’s Wardrobe

Awards

Jackie Appiah has received countless awards and nominations including Best Actress in a Supporting Role and a Leading Role at the African Movie Academy Awards in 2007 and 2010 respectively. She also received two nominations for Best Actress in a leading role and Best Upcoming Actress at the African Movie Academy Awards in 2008.

In 2013, she won the Best International Actress award at the Papyrus Magazine Screen Actors Awards (PAMSAA) 2013 which was held in Abuja, Nigeria. In that same year, she was awarded Best Actress in Drama for her award-winning performance in “The Perfect Picture” at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards in Lagos, Nigeria.

Personal life

She got married to Mr. Peter Agyeman in 2005 and they have a 14-year-old son together.