Showmax spotlights Kate Henshaw: From medical sciences to dominating Nollywood

Kate Henshaw is an elite veteran Nollywood actress with titles dating back to long before ‘Nollywood’ had its name.

While getting her degree in Medical Microbiology from Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Kate took on several jobs, including modeling for a few brands. The more she worked as a model, the more curious she got about the entertainment industry until the late JT Tom West invited her for an audition in 1993. It was her first-ever, but Kate was a natural and secured the lead role on that movie – When The Sun Sets. It also ended up winning her an award in 1996. That role opened the gates to new movies, and eventually, Kate was everyone’s go-to girl.

In the 29 years she’s been acting, the fitness guru has appeared in over 150 films. Some of her most iconic titles include Domitilla, Silent Pain, Games Men Play, Stronger Than Pain, Yet Another Day, Closed Chapters, Girls In The Hood, Candlelight, and Do Good. Her role in Stronger Than Pain earned her the 2008 Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) for ‘Best Actress in a Leading Role’.

After years of being one of the biggest acts in the movie industry, Kate took a short break from acting. She turned to fitness during this time and soon after launched her fitness YouTube channel, Katies Fit 4 Life. During her break, she took new opportunities as a judge on Nigeria’s Got Talent and CBS’ Global Talent Show, The World’s Best. She was honoured by the Nigerian federal government as a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) in 2011. The mother of one produced tax documentaries for Lagos and Akwa Ibom states, and also became more involved in philanthropy, partnering with Project Alert and taking on smaller charitable projects.

Kate returned to film even hotter than before. This return saw the actress take on more decisive roles. Some of the most memorable appearances Kate 2.0 has had include the lead role in 4th Republic, Roti, The Ghost and The House of Truth, The Meeting, The Wait, and more.

Kate Henshaw has spent a large part of her life entertaining Nigerians, and there’s no one else more deserving of appreciation. At a few months short of 51, Kate is healthier than ever and focused on impacting the industry. In her words, “If I can reach 100 years old in the industry, it won’t be bad.”