Iconic Nollywood actor, Gbenga Richards, has reportedly passed away on Thursday morning after battling an unknown ailment.

The once vibrant actor, who was a force to reckon with in the 1990s and early 2000s, according to reports suffered from a series of ailments and raising money for his treatment became difficult because he had fallen on hard times.

Richards was reportedly suffering from diabetes and other related ailments.

Some of his colleagues and friends in 2021 solicited funds to cater for his welfare.

Comic actor, Ime Bishop Umoh, also known as Okon, and Emmanuel Ehumadu, popularly known as Labista, took to social media to seek financial assistance for him.

Richards’ first appearance as an actor was to represent 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.