Late Nollywood veteran Kehinde Olusegun Akinremi, widely known as Chief Kanran, battled a severe case of appendicitis in the days leading up to his death.
This was revealed by U.S.-based lawyer and astronaut Owolabi Salis, who shared details of his last attempt to support the ailing actor.
According to Salis, Chief Kanran reached out to him in July, seeking urgent financial help for surgery. He said the actor needed ₦700,000 for the operation and requested half of the sum to settle hospital bills. Salis confirmed he immediately sent the money, and the actor expressed his gratitude in heartfelt voice notes dated July 28 and August 1.
Tragically, just a few days later, news broke of Chief Kanran’s passing. “It was devastating for me,” Salis said.
Remembering him, Salis described the late actor as “an iconic prodigy who bestrode the thespian world like a colossus,” placing him in the same league as greats like Hubert Ogunde, Duro Ladipo, Kola Ogunmola, and Oyin Adejobi.
Chief Kanran rose to prominence with his unforgettable portrayal of the Alaafin of Oyo, a role that earned him his famous stage name and endeared him to audiences nationwide. His versatility, Salis noted, allowed him to shine whether playing a king, a lover boy, or even a villain.
But beyond the glamour of the screen, the actor endured immense personal struggles. He lost his cars, studio, and home in a fire, and suffered the deaths of his two wives, which left him homeless at one point.
Salis lamented the lack of meaningful support from both government and the public during the actor’s difficult times. He called for Nollywood stakeholders, corporate organizations, and government institutions to immortalize Chief Kanran, stressing that his passing marked “the end of an era” and “a tragedy too many.”
