Early Life

Antar Babatunde Laniyan was born on 26 May in Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria. He got his unusual first name from an iguana, known in Yoruba as Antar or Aworiwon, which his family sourced for a herbalist’s concoction after his mother struggled through a difficult, overdue pregnancy. He attended Baptist Secondary School in Lagos State before proceeding to the University of Ibadan, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts.

Career

Antar Laniyan was drawn to acting after witnessing a performance at the 1977 Festival of Black Arts and Civilization while still a secondary school student. He began his professional acting career in 1981 with the Kakaki Art Squad, taking on his first major role as a Major General in the film ‘Everybody Wants to Know.’ He gained wider prominence for his role in ‘Sango’ (1997), a film scripted by Wale Ogunyemi and produced by Obafemi Lasode.

In 2000, Laniyan directed the inaugural episode of the acclaimed TV series ‘Super Story,’ a landmark credit in his career as a filmmaker. His extensive filmography spans decades, including titles such as ‘Kakanfo,’ ‘The Cleanser’ and ‘Ijakumo,’ and he continues to be active in both Yoruba and English-language Nollywood productions, working as an actor, director and producer well into his fifth decade in the industry.

Personal Life

Antar Laniyan has spoken candidly about the personal sacrifices his acting career has demanded, including missing his daughter’s birth and his father’s burial due to filming commitments.

With more than four decades of consistent output as an actor, director and producer, Antar Laniyan remains one of the most established and respected figures in Nollywood.