The actor reportedly died on Wednesday after a long battle with diabetes. It was his colleague and movie producer Femi Adewale who broke the news of Richards’ death on Facebook on Thursday.
Adewale, former Head of Programmes at Galaxy TV Lagos wrote: “Good night Gbenga Richards. Another Nollywood Icon is gone. A very popular Nollywood Actor Gbenga Richards is dead.
Cause of his death
He faced his sadden death on Thursday, May 12 after battling with acute diabetes and high blood pressure.
Gbenga Richards, who was a force to reckon with in the early days of Nollywood, reportedly suffered from the ailments which kept him in and out of hospital until he died.
Richards’ first appearance as an actor was representing Nigeria with Hubert Ogunde at the Second World Black and African Festival of African Culture (FESTAC) in 1977.
He also featured in blockbuster movies like ‘Sango’, ‘Mirror in the Sun’, ‘Betrayal by Love’, ‘Fighting Machine’ and a host of others.
