Early Life

William Benson was born on March 25, in Lagos State, Nigeria. Though his exact year of birth remains unconfirmed, he likely falls into his late 40s or early 50s.

He hails from a Yoruba background and pursued English Language and Literature at the University of Lagos, where he later directed the English Theatre Workshop course (ENG 154) for over a decade before officially enrolling as a part-time student in 2005.

Career

William Benson began his acting journey on stage and in radio dramas during the 1990s. A trained theatre practitioner, he performed and directed numerous plays through collaborations with Duke of Shomolu Productions a leading Nigerian theatre company. He also wrote and directed short films and plays with historical and social themes such as Isale Eko, Emotan, and Oba Eshugbayi

Over time, Benson transitioned to television and film, taking roles in critically acclaimed productions. He gained recognition with the telenovela Ajoche and as the historical figure Herbert Macaulay in The Herbert Macaulay Affair (2019)

Other notable works include Love Is War (2019), Obara’M (2022), Cordelia, A Green Fever, and The Fire & The Moth.

In 2025, Benson achieved a new peak with his portrayal of Efemini in To Kill a Monkey, a Netflix crime-thriller directed by Kemi Adetiba. Critics have highlighted Benson’s performance as exceptionally intense, emotionally driven, and realistic.

He also maintains a private personal life unmarried and reportedly without children with no confirmed public relationship status.

Both of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ehinze Willy‑Benson Ordia, passed away in March 2020 a loss he has spoken about as deeply affecting him.

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