Joseph van Vicker (born 1 August 1977), better known as Van Vicker, is a Ghanaian actor, film director and humanitarian. He is the chief executive officer of Sky + Orange production, a film production house. Van Vicker received two nominations for "Best Actor in a Leading Role" and "Best Upcoming Actor" at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2008.

Early life

Vicker was born in Accra, Ghana to a Liberian-Ghanaian mother and a Dutch father. His father died when he was six years old.

Vicker attended Mfantsipim School, along with fellow actor Majid Michel. He graduated from the African University College of Communications in 2021.

Personal life

Vicker married Adjoa on 16 October 2003. When they celebrated their 21st wedding anniversary, he thanked God and also praised his wife for always being by his side.

Career

Television

Vicker started out in the entertainment world in radio as a presenter at Groove 106.3 fm (1999–2000) and Vibe 91.9fm (2001–2004) and as a television personality for TV3 Ghana (1997–1999) & Metro TV (2000–2004), Vicker appeared in the Ghanaian television series Sun city, which depicted university life. He played the character of LeRoy King Jr., a Fine Arts student born in the U.S. who arrives at Sun City to complete his education. The series ran for a total of 10 episodes.

Film

Soon, Vicker was cast in his first film Divine Love as a supporting character. This film coincidentally, was also the debut roles for fellow actors Jackie Appiah and Majid Michel who were cast as the female and male lead respectively.

Vicker is usually cast as the male romantic lead, often alongside actresses Jackie Appiah and Nadia Buari. He is often compared to fellow Ghanaian actor Majid Michel and Nigerian Ramsey Nouah.

Nollywood breakthrough

Vicker has appeared in numerous Nollywood films alongside prominent Nollywood actors, including Tonto Dikeh, Mercy Johnson, Stephanie Okereke, Chika Ike and Jim Iyke. His Nollywood movies include; My Soul Mate, Heart of Fire, Popular King, Gambling with Marriage, Harvest of Love, Stolen Will, The Joy of a Prince, Discovered, The Kingdom and Against the law.

International success

Vicker on the set of Australian film Cop's Enemy, with Prema Smith and John K-ay

Vicker has directed, starred in, and produced five films under his Sky + Orange Productions since 2008. 2012 was the biggest year for his production house, earning him the NAFCA Best Actor and Director Awards for his comedy movie, Joni Waka.

Vicker has been nominated for and won numerous awards from Africa to the Caribbean. Awards include Ghana Movie Awards, ACRAG awards and the Nollywood Academy Films Critics’ Awards. In 2009, he won the Best African Caribbean Actor and Best Actor African American and in 2011, he won the Pan African creative actor. In 2013, he won the Best International Actor award at the Papyrus Magazine Screen Actors Awards (PAMSAA) 2013, which was held in Abuja, Nigeria.

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryRecipientResult
20084th Africa Movie Academy AwardsBest Actor in a Leading RoleThe Return of Beyonce/Princess TyraNominated
Best Upcoming ActorNominated
2009Afro-Hollywood AwardBest Actor (African film category)Won
20102010 Ghana Movie AwardsBest Actor Leading Role (Local Film)Dna TestNominated
20112011 Ghana Movie AwardsBest Actor Leading RolePaparazziNominated
2011Pan African Film FestivalAfrica Channel's Creative Achievement AwardHimselfWon
2012NafcaBest Comedy MovieJoni WakaWon
20132013 Ghana Movie AwardsBest Actor (Local Film)Joni WakaWon
Pyprus Magazine Screen Actors AwardsBest International ActorWon
20142014 Ghana Movie AwardsFavourite ActorNominated
2015NafcaBest Actor in a Leading role (Diaspora film)Heart Breaker's RevengeNominated
20162016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice AwardsBest Actor Drama/SeriesA long NightNominated
2016 Nigeria Entertainment AwardsBest Actor Africa/Non NigerianNominated
KumaWood AwardsBest CollaborationBroni W'awuWon

Filmography

YearFilmRoleNotes
2004Divine Lovewith Majid Michel & Jackie Aygemang
2006Beyonce: The President's DaughterRajwith Nadia Buari & Jackie Aygemang
Darkness of SorrowCK (Charles)with Nadia Buari
Mummy's Daughterwith Nadia Buari & Jackie Aygemang & Okediji Alexandra
The Return of BeyonceRajwith Nadia Buari & Jackie Aygemang
2007American Boy"Nelly"with Nadia Buari
I Hate WomenRockywith Jackie Aygemang
Innocent Soul
In the Eyes of My HusbandLeowith Nadia Buari
Princess TyraKaywith Jackie Aygemang, Yvonne Nelson
Royal BattleLawrencewith Majid Michel & Jackie Aygemang
Slave to Lustwith Nadia Buari, Ini Edo, Mike Ezuruonye & Olu Jacobs
Wedlock of the Gods
2008Broken TearsBenwith Genevieve Nnaji & Kate Henshaw-Nuttal
Corporate MaidDesmond
Friday Night
Jealous PrincessSamwith Chika Ike & Oge Okoye
River of TearsBenwith Genevieve Nnaji & Kate Henshaw-Nuttal
Total LoveNick[citation needed]with Jackie Aygemang
2009Twilight SistersMickywith Oge Okoye
Royal WarUzodimmawith Ini Edo, Rachael Okonkwo
Beyond ConspiracyMichael
2010Discovered
Loyal EnemiesMichael
Kingdom in Flames
Mind GameRichie
2011Paparazzi Eye In The DarkRich
2012Joni WakaJoni Waka
2013One Night In VegasTonywith Jimmy Jean-Louis, Michael Blackson, Sarodj Bertin
2014The Heart Breaker's RevengeDalyboywith Dalyboy Belgason, Brittany Mayti, Sarodj Bertin
2016SkinnedRobert/ Bobbywith LisaRaye McCoy, Jasmine Burke
2017Cop's EnemyChristopher "Shadow" Ifechi
PendingDay After Deathwith Wema Sepetu

External links