Kalu was born in Surulere, a suburb in Lagos State, southwestern Nigeria. Kalu is of Igbo heritage from Imo State in the eastern part of Nigeria.[1] He studied Computer science in the university.[5]
Personal life
Kalu married filmmaker Nicolette Ndigwe in 2021.[6]
Career
Kalu began his career as a model, appearing in television and billboard commercials.[7] In 2011, he enrolled in the Royal Arts Academy to study acting.[5] His breakout screen role was in 2012, when he was cast in the role of Usen in the movie Kokomma produced by Uduak Isong Oguamanam and directed by Tom Robson. The movie received 3 nominations at the 9th Africa Movie Academy Awards.[8]
In 2014, his roles in the movies Lagos Cougars and Perfect Union earned him a City People Awards nomination for Most Promising Actor,[9] an award he was again nominated for in 2017.[10] In 2019 he received another nomination from City People Awards for Best Supporting Actor,[11] and in the same year, he was nominated for and won the Best Supporting Actor award at the United Kingdom-based Zulu African Film Academy Awards (ZAFAA), for his role in the movie Kuvana, where he starred alongside Wale Ojo, Sambasa Nzeribe and Ivie Okujaiye.[12][13]
In 2019, Kalu launched a "ready-to-wear" fashion line tagged Ifeanyi Kalu.[13]
Filmography
Selected movie roles
Year
Title
Role
Director
Notes
2012
Kokomma
Usen
Tom Robson
Feature Film featuring Belinda Effah, Ekere Nkanga, Ini Ekpe
2013
Lagos Cougars
Jite
Desmond Elliot
Feature Film starring Uche Jombo, Monalisa Chinda, Alexx Ekubo, Shawn Faqua, Daniella Okeke, Ben Touitou
2014
Perfect Union
Eke Agbai
Uzodinma Okpechi
Feature Film starring Wole Ojo, Brycee Bassey, Joju Muse
2015
The Banker
Kunle
Ikechukwu Onyeka
Feature Film featuring Seun Akindele, Mbong Amata, Belinda Effah, Maureen Okpoko, Nsikan Isaac
