Veteran Nollywood actor Richard Mofe-Damijo, widely known as RMD, has expressed discomfort with being referred to as a “legend,” arguing that the label makes him feel sidelined or close to retirement.

In a recent appearance on the Curiosity Made Me Ask podcast, the 63-year-old actor dismissed the title, describing it as misleading and undeserved in his case.

“I think the legend thing is a scam. I have my legends like Uncle Pete [Edochie] and Uncle Olu Jacobs — these are our ancestors and true legends,” RMD said.

According to him, the term often feels more like an attempt to usher him out of the spotlight than a genuine compliment.

“When they call me that, I feel like they’re trying to relegate me to the neighborhood of retired people or those nearing retirement,” he added.

RMD, who began his acting career in 1982, became a household name during the golden era of Nollywood in the 1990s. Before fully transitioning into acting, he worked as a journalist, contributing to publications such as Concord Newspapers, Metro Magazine, and The Guardian, primarily covering entertainment and lifestyle stories.

That journalistic foundation, he once noted, offered him insight into the workings of the industry and helped him build lasting relationships. However, acting remained his enduring passion.

His breakout role came with the hit soap opera Ripples in the 1980s. As Nollywood blossomed in the ’90s, RMD rose to prominence for his commanding presence, resonant voice, and compelling portrayals of characters ranging from romantic leads to business tycoons and statesmen.

Over the decades, his work has earned him admiration across the African continent, cementing his status as one of Nollywood’s most recognizable faces — even if he resists the “legend” tag.