The first name on the mind of Nollywood producers when looking for who to play the role of a villain is usually Azubuike Michael Egwu, otherwise known as Zubby Michael. The villain helps define the story of the hero, drive the conflict, and, above all, capture the viewer’s attention. He has reprised this role in many of the movies he has appeared in.
Zubby Michael’s face on screen is indelible not only because of the permanent birthmark on it, but the change in the colour of his face and eyes, the shape of his eyebrows, lips, ears, and cheekbones as he interprets the roles in notable movies like Royal Storm, Princess Rihanna, and The Generals.
Here, we present all you need to know about his background, career, net worth, lifestyle, and much more.
Early life
Zubby Michael was born in Yola, Adamawa state to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Egwu, an entrepreneur and teacher respectively, on February 1, 1985. However, he is an indigene of Ozobulu in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra state.
One of his fond memories while growing up was the beating he got from his father after bashing his car. Whenever his father was not at home, the young Zubby would take one car in the garage for a ride. Luck eventually ran out on him when he got back from one of his escapades to meet his father at home. Out of fear, Zubby smashed the car into another car in the compound. On that fateful day, his father beat him black and blue. At some point, he reportedly passed out and had to be revived with water!
ALSO READ: Obi Cubana biography and net worth
Education
Zubby Michael got his primary and secondary education in Yola. Thereafter, he secured admission to Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Anambra state where he bagged a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication.
Career
Zubby Michael is not new to acting. At eight, he started playing minor roles in movie skits in Yola. Before officially joining Nollywood in 2006, he was involved in television soap operas and was a cast member of a TV drama titled Coded Hussle.
His career journey actually kicked off in Asaba, Delta state, where he met a producer who introduced him to the industry. The outcome led him to feature in his first movie titled Missing Rib, which also starred Ramsey Nouah and Tonto Dikeh.
Furthermore, Zubby Michael has featured alongside other A-listed Nollywood actors and actresses such as Jim Iyke, Ini Edo, Nonso Diobi, Mike Ezuruonye, Oge Okoye, Patience Ozokwor, John Okafor (Mr. Ibu), Sam Dede, Olu Jacobs, Uche Jumbo, Nkem Owoh, Majid Michel, John Dumelo, Mercy Johnson, Van Vicker, Emeka Ike, Junior Pope, Chacha Eke, Kenneth Okonkwo, Uche Ogbodo, Jackie Appiah and a host of others.
He has also been involved in movie production. The movie First Hit, which featured the likes of Chikwetalu Agu, Ngozi Ezeonu, Nonso Diobi, Junior Pope, Ebere Okaro, Harry B Anyanwu, and Terry G, marked his debut as a producer.
Zubby Micheal movies
Zubby Michael has appeared in a good number of Nollywood movies and TV series, including Bad Omen, Burial Battle, Omoghetto: The Saga, Egg of love, Audio Money, Identical Twins, Dying of Thirst, Hunchback Princess, A Thousand War, The Return of Dangote, Flashback, Seed of Deception, Seed of Greatness, Enemy of Progress, Our Father’s Property, G4 The Money Men, Shameless Sisters, Blood Feud, Son of No Man, Boy Makes Money, The Return of Eze Ndi Ala, Afraid to Fall, Pains of the Orphan, Yahoo King, Sound of Calamity, Hunted Bride, Omenka, Lack of Money, Yahoo Shrine, Throne of Terror, Anayo China, Youngest Wife, Made in South, Wasted Authority, Mama, Bastard Money, War for love, Mr. Arrogant, Ozoemena Ozubulu, The Return, Adaure, My love, The King of Vulture (Eze K’udene), Sword of Justice, The Promise, Family Matters (Akara Ayasago), Compound fools, 1st Hit, Okada 50, Sound of Calamity, Haunted Bride.
To download movies featuring Zubby Michael, hook up to Netflix, YouTube, or other reputable sites.
ALSO READ: Nancy Isime Biography
Personal life
On November 25, 2019, Zubby Michael was appointed as the Special Adviser on Media to the Anambra state governor, Willie Obiano. The highlight of his involvement in governance was when he was awarded a certificate of recognition for his contribution to the City Radio 89.7 FM youth empowerment initiative in the state.
That is more or less his political life. Let’s get more personal.
Married life
Zubby Michael is currently single but was once in a romantic relationship with Mary Okoye, the youngest sister of the famous music duo, Peter Okoye and Paul Okoye, otherwise known as P-Square. He met her at the traditional marriage of his fellow Nollywood actor, Mike Ezuruonye. The relationship didn’t go the distance. He later revealed that they broke up because he wasn’t ready for marriage, which she pushed for.
Zubby Michael girlfriend
Zubby and Destiny Etiko’s relationship has long been questioned. The rumour about them being an item spread when the duo started posting cozy off-the-set pictures of themselves on their respective social media handles. A YouTube video of them kissing and Etiko showing off an engagement ring also helped to fuel the rumour. Etiko, however, has cleared the air concerning her love life, saying she is not married, nor is she in a relationship.
When asked about his ideal woman, Zubby Michael said she should be someone that is loyal, prayerful, intelligent, and beautiful. Especially a woman capable of making him happy. It shouldn’t take him time to find his spec within or outside the industry.
How does he handle his female fans? The actor says he avoids them because he needs to be focused in a career like his that is often filled with distractions.
ALSO READ: Bose Ogulu Biography
Zubby Michael son
Zubby Michael calls Chikamso Ejiofor, popularly known as Ozonigbo, as his Nollywood son. It is uncertain if Ejiofor is an adopted son, but Zubby Michael is obviously not his biological father. However, the duo is inseparable.
Zubby Michael phone number
We don’t have the phone number of Zubby Michael, but most celebrities are contactable via their social media handles or through their agents.
Awards and recognitions
Zubby Michael has been nominated for several awards and has won one or two.
- Most Promising Act (male) in 2011 Best of Nollywood Awards (BON) (Nominated)
- Best New Actor of the Year (English) at the 2014 City People Movie Awards (Nominated)
- Actor of the Year (Indigenous Films) at the 2015 Nigerian Entertainment Award (Nominated)
- Best Supporting Actor of the Year (English) at the 2015 City People Movie Awards (Nominated)
- Best Actor of The Year (English) at the 2018 City People Movie Awards (Nominated)
- Nollywood Personality of the Year at the 2018 Nigerian MSMEs & Achievers Awards (Won)
- Movie icon of the year at the 2018 South East Entertainment Award (Won)
- Best Lead Actor of the Year (English) at the 2019 Nigeria Achievers Awards (Nominated)
- Nominated for Best Actor of the Year (Igbo) at the 2019 City People Movie Awards
- Best Igbo Film of the Year (Eze ndi Ala) at the 2019 City People Movie Awards (Nominated)
- Best Actor of the Year (English) at the 2019 City People Movie Awards (Nominated)
- Male Actor of the Year at the 2019 South South Achievers Awards (SSA) (Nominated)
- Best Celebrity Politician of the Year (2020) by the South-East Beauty Pageant Organisation (Won)
Social media
Zubby Michael is one of the most followed actors on social media in Nigeria. He is very active on several platforms with lots of posts and images, mostly on his cars and houses. He has over 4.8 million followers on Instagram. His official and verified Instagram account is @zubbymichael.
ALSO READ: Tiwa Savage net worth and biography
Net worth
Zubby Michael is not only an actor; he’s a producer, entrepreneur, and social media influencer. These endeavours, and the ones we are unaware of, constitute his net worth, which is estimated to be about $6 million.
Zubby Michael cars
Zubby Michael is associated with three luxury cars.
A Mercedes-Benz 4matic
A Range Rover Sport
A Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon
There may be more elsewhere, but these are the ones we are privy to.
Zubby Michael houses
In 2018, Zubby Michael built a mansion in Asaba worth several million naira. Two years later, he bought another in Festac Town, Lagos. The estimated cost was over ₦60 million.
Zubby Michael dead or alive?
In 2021, the reports of the death of Zubby Michael were greatly exaggerated. The rumour of his demise was rather self-mooted as the actor appeared on the cover of a movie mischievously titled The Death of Zubby Michael. In the two-part movie, Zubby Michael played the role of a freedom fighter who saves the lives of his people from a tyrannical king and his gang.
Bad influence?
Later in the year, the actor was involved in another controversy, this time unintentional. In December 2021, Ayobamidele Kudus Ayodele, who abducted a six-year-old boy, Ebube Eze, from Remson Group of Schools, in Ojo Alaba area of Lagos, confessed to officers of the Nigeria Police Force when he was arrested that he learned the act of kidnapping after seeing similar roles played by Zubby Michael.
“Zubby Michael is my favorite Nollywood actor, and he is good at kidnapping roles,” he said.
“I tried out some methods used by Zubby to kidnap children and adults in the movies. I am sorry for causing his family so much pain. Not a cultist or an armed robber. I do not have a gang. I just trained myself by watching Zubby Michael. My parents trained me very well, I was just impatient and greedy.”
A 23-year-old, like Ayodele, should know that Zubby Michael’s occupation is 100 percent make-believe.
“Let the viewer beware” is an unstated caveat.
Conclusion
Zubby Michael has carved out a niche for himself since joining the industry 16 years ago. One can safely say that he has unseated Jim Iyke and wears the ‘Bad Boy’ regalia in all its gleaming purple magnificence.
ALSO READ: Richest musicians in Nigeria 2022