Veteran Nollywood actor Bob-Manuel Udokwu has opened up about the financial pressures many actors experience despite their fame, saying the public often assumes successful entertainers are financially secure when that is not always the case.

Speaking during an interview on Udala FM in Enugu, the actor observed that men generally face greater financial burdens than women because they are often expected to shoulder more family and personal responsibilities.

According to Udokwu, although actors receive payment for their work in Nollywood, their earnings are frequently stretched by numerous financial commitments, leaving little room for savings.

Reflecting on the final days of the late actor John Okafor, popularly known as Mr Ibu, Udokwu recalled the public reaction when colleagues appealed for financial support to cover the comedian's medical expenses before his death.

He said many people questioned why an actor of Mr Ibu's stature needed public assistance, with some asking what had become of the money he earned throughout his acting career.

Udokwu argued that such criticism stemmed from a lack of understanding of the realities many actors face, stressing that people often judge public figures without knowing the financial obligations they carry behind the scenes.

He also disclosed that he was unaware at the time that Mr Ibu had more than one wife, suggesting that the actor's family responsibilities may have placed additional demands on his finances.

The veteran actor maintained that popularity should not automatically be equated with wealth, noting that many entertainers continue to manage significant personal and family expenses despite successful careers.