Mary Lazarus

Mary Lazarus was born on May 5, 1989. Hailing from Abia State, a southeastern region predominantly inhabited by the Igbo people, Lazarus was born into a family of nine. She is a twin, with her brother Joseph being her partner in crime. Growing up, Lazarus received her primary and secondary education, earning her First School Leaving Certificate and the West African Senior School Certificate, respectively.

Determined to pursue higher education, Lazarus applied to the prestigious University of Ibadan. Her passion for learning led her to pursue a degree in Geography, which she successfully obtained, graduating with a remarkable 4.4 cumulative grade point average and a Bachelor of Science degree.

Lazarus's journey into the Nigerian entertainment industry began in 2002 when she embarked on a career as a model. In 2009, she made her transition to the world of movies, making her debut in the film "Waiting Years." Her entry into the industry was facilitated by Gbenro Ajibade, who introduced her to John Njamah, the director of the movie, eventually landing her a role in the film.

Since then, Lazarus has been recognized for her versatility and captivating performances in various Nollywood movies. Her dedication and hard work culminated in her directorial debut in 2017 with the film "Dance To My Beat," which she also produced.

Lazarus's talent and dedication have not gone unnoticed, as she has received several accolades and nominations throughout her career. In 2018, she won the City People Movie Award for Most Promising Actress of the Year (English) at the City People Entertainment Awards. Additionally, she was nominated for Best Actress in a leading role at the Best of Nollywood Awards in the same year.

With an impressive body of work, Lazarus has graced both the big and small screens with her remarkable performances. Some of her notable works include:

• "When Life Happens" (2020) as Cindy, alongside Lota Chukwu, Jimmy Odukoya, and Wole Ojo.
• "My Woman" (2019) as Zara, starring alongside Seun Akinyele and Ujams C'briel.
• "Accidental Affair" (2019) as Kristen.
• "Clustered Colours" (2019).
• "Broken Pieces" (2018).
• "Homely: What Men Want" (2018) as Keji.
• "Dance To My Beat" (2017) - Lazarus's directorial debut.
• "The Road Not Taken II" (2017).
• "Love Lost" (2017) as Rena.
• "Girls Are Not Smiling" (2016).
• "What Makes You Tick" (2016) as Ann Okojie.
• "Okafor’s Law" (2016) as Kamsi.
• "Better Than The Beginning" (2015).
• "Bad Drop" (2015).
• "Losing Control" (2015) as Uche.
• "Second Chances" (2014) as Justina.
• "Desperate Housegirls" (2013).
• "Waiting Years" (2009) - Lazarus's debut film.

In addition to her notable achievements, Lazarus has received recognition for her outstanding contributions to the Nigerian film industry. Some of her awards and nominations include:

• 2020 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards: Nominated for Best Supporting Actress in a Movie or TV Series for the film 'Size 12'.
• City People Entertainment Awards (2018): Won the City People Movie Award for Most Promising Actress of the Year (English).
• Best of Nollywood Awards (2018): Nominated for Best Actress in a leading role.

Lazarus's talent and dedication have earned her a place among the prominent figures in Nollywood, and she continues to impress both critics and audiences alike.

In interviews, Lazarus has expressed her admiration for various influential figures in the entertainment industry. She named Nollywood veterans Omotola Jalade Ekeinde and Joke Silva as her role models within the Nigerian movie industry. Additionally, she expressed her admiration for American actress Kimberly Elise, citing her extensive body of work as a source of inspiration.