Chief Kanran death shocks Nollywood as lawyer Owolabi Salis reveals his attempt to save the veteran actor with urgent surgery support

Chief Kanran Death has left Nollywood and fans across Nigeria in mourning after veteran actor Kehinde Olusegun Akinremi passed away just weeks before his 70th birthday.

Also read: Chief Kanran’s Death Confirmed, Nollywood Loses a Veteran Star

U.S.-based Nigerian lawyer, Chief Owolabi Salis, revealed on Tuesday that he had made a last-minute effort to save the actor’s life after Kanran reached out for urgent help.

According to Salis, the veteran thespian sent him a voice note on July 11, 2025, filled with excitement about celebrating both his 70th birthday and 55 years on stage.

But by July 27, Kanran revealed he was battling a severe case of appendicitis and needed ₦700,000 for surgery, with ₦350,000 outstanding.

“On the same July 27, I immediately sent him ₦350,000 to cover the balance,” Salis said. “On July 28, he sent a voice note of appreciation, thanking me for the timely help. On August 1, he sent another message of gratitude.”

Tragically, just three days later, news broke that the beloved actor had passed away. Salis admitted he was “completely devastated” and quickly contributed financial support for the actor’s burial on August 18.

Describing the death as “shocking, lamentable and devastating,” Salis mourned Kanran as a rare talent who “bestrode the Nigerian stage like a colossus.”

He placed him alongside theatre greats like Hubert Ogunde, Duro Ladipo, Kola Ogunmola, and Oyin Adejobi.

Kanran’s most iconic role as Alaafin Kanran earned him the stage name by which he was fondly known. His versatility shone through as he transitioned seamlessly between royal characters and gritty roles like gang leaders, often with remarkable flair.

Yet, behind the brilliance was a man who endured immense struggles. Kanran lost his cars, studio, and home in a devastating fire. He later became homeless, sleeping in a church after the deaths of his two wives.

“It is tragic that such a man, who gave so much to Nigerian theatre, faced so much hardship without sufficient support,” Salis lamented.

He urged Nollywood, government, and corporate institutions to immortalize the late icon and ensure better welfare for others in the industry.

Also read: Nollywood actor Chief Karan reveals heartbreaking loss of two wives on same day (video)

Chief Kanran Death is not just a painful loss to Nollywood but also a wake-up call for Nigeria’s cultural sector to safeguard its legends while they are still alive.