Natty Bruce Idigbogu, widely known as Natty Bruce, was a multifaceted individual who left an indelible mark on the Nigerian film industry. His extensive body of work includes stunts coordination, filmmaking, and direction, making him a trailblazer in the realm of Nollywood action films.
We’d be seeing Natty Bruce’s biography, date of birth, age, early life, family, wife, children, career, net worth, houses, cars, social media handles, and death.
Full name: Natty Bruce Idigbogu
Date of birth: 12th June, 1966
Died: 6th November, 2023
Age: 57 years
Nationality: Nigeria
Spouse: Ngozi Idigbogu
Children: Three children
Education: University of Nigeria, Nsukka
Occupation: Actor
Net worth:
Natty Bruce Biography and Early Life
Natty Bruce was born on June 12, 1966, in Aba, Abia State, Nigeria. He was the second of four children of his parents, who were both teachers. He had a passion for martial arts from a young age and started training in karate when he was seven years old. He later learned other forms of martial arts, such as taekwondo, judo, and kung fu.
He attended Government College, Umuahia, for his secondary education and then proceeded to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he studied Theatre Arts. He graduated in 1989 and joined the Nigerian Army as a lieutenant. He served in the army for six years before resigning to pursue his career in the entertainment industry.
Entertainment Career
Natty Bruce started his career as a stunt actor and coordinator in Nollywood in the early 1990s. He worked with notable directors such as Teco Benson, Lancelot Imasuen, and Chico Ejiro, and starred in movies like The Wolf, Black Master, King of Devils, and Wrong Turn. He was known for his impressive skills in martial arts, acrobatics, and pyrotechnics, which he used to create thrilling action scenes. He also trained other actors and stuntmen in the industry and established a stunt academy called Natty Bruce Stunt Academy.
He later ventured into filmmaking and direction, producing and directing movies such as The Last Mission, The Last Bullet, The Last Stand, and The Last Hope. He also collaborated with other filmmakers, such as Emem Isong, Kunle Afolayan, and Omoni Oboli, to produce movies such as Reloaded, The Figurine, and Okafor’s Law. He was also involved in television production, working on series such as Tinsel, The Johnsons, and Hush.
He was a member of the Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN) and the Association of Movie Producers (AMP). He also served as a jury member for the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) and the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA). He won several awards and recognition for his work, such as the Best Director award at the Nollywood Movies Awards in 2012 and the Lifetime Achievement award at the Nollywood Week Paris Film Festival in 2019.
Personal Life and Death
Natty Bruce was married to Ngozi Idigbogu, a lawyer and human rights activist. They had three children, two sons and a daughter. He was a devoted Christian and a philanthropist, who supported various causes and charities, such as the Natty Bruce Foundation, which focused on empowering youths and promoting peace and unity in Nigeria.
Natty Bruce died on Monday, November 6, 2023, at the age of 57. He had been battling with kidney failure for some time and had undergone several dialysis sessions. He passed away at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), where he had been receiving treatment. His death was announced by Shaibu Husseini, a movie journalist and former member of the Nigerian Oscar Selection Committee (NOSC), on his official Facebook page. He wrote: “I have just been reliably informed that light has dimmed on foremost Nollywood’s ‘martial arts’ actor Natty Bruce. The green belter was passionate about integrating Martial Arts in Nollywood movies. He also tried to produce a full length Martial Art movie. Good night Oga Natty. Bye Bye Sir.”
His death was mourned by many in the Nollywood industry and beyond, who paid tribute to him and his legacy. Some of the celebrities who expressed their condolences and admiration for him include Ramsey Nouah, Genevieve Nnaji, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Desmond Elliot, Rita Dominic, and Richard Mofe-Damijo.
Net Worth
Natty Bruce was one of the most successful and influential figures in Nollywood. He had a net worth of about $5 million at the time of his death, according to various sources. He earned his wealth from his career as a stunt actor, coordinator, filmmaker, and director. He also had several endorsements and investments in various sectors, such as real estate, hospitality, and media.