Entertainment
‘RoboCop’ Actor Tom Noonan Dies At 74
The actor best known for his roles in ‘RoboCop 2’ and ‘Last Action Hero’, Tom Noonan, has died at the age of 74. Karen Sillas, Noonan’s announced the sad news on Wednesday, Feb 18. She confirmed that the late actor died peacefully on Saturday, Feb. 14. However, the cause of death was not revealed.
“My dear friend and co-star, Tom Noonan, passed away peacefully on Valentine’s Day 2026,” Sillas said via her Instagram. “Working with him in his original off-Broadway play, ‘What Happened Was…,’ at the Paradise Factory Theatre in the early nineties, was a turning point for me and my career that still resonates throughout my life and work as an actor,” she added.
Sillas, 62, went on to call her and Noona’s 1994 film adaptation of “What Happened Was” one of the “most iconic Indies in American cinema” before paying tribute to her late co-star and his legacy. “What a privilege and crazy fun it was working with this man and calling him my friend to the end … may his Legacy continue to shine on,” she concluded.
Tom Noonan was born in Greenwich, Connecticut, in 1951. He started in theatre and appeared in the original Off-Broadway production of Sam Shepard’s famous play “Buried Child” in 1978. But it wasn’t until 1980 that the beloved actor made his big-screen debut in the comedy-drama “Willie & Phil,” followed by “Gloria” and “Heaven’s Gate” that same year.
However, Noonan’s breakout role came in 1986, when he starred as the main antagonist, Francis Dolarhyde, opposite William Petersen’s FBI Agent Will Graham in the edge-of-your-seat crime thriller “Manhunter.”
Noonan then starred as Frankenstein’s monster in Fred Dekker’s horror comedy “The Monster Squad” one year later. Dekker, in his own tribute to Noonan, remembered the late actor as “a highlight of my modest filmography.”
“He was the proverbial gentleman and scholar, and the world has lost a great talent,” the director wrote on Facebook. “R.I.P. Tom. Thanks for the great work.”
After solidifying his role as what one fan described as the “perfect bad guy” in “Manhunter” and “The Monster Squad,” Noonan was picked to play Cain in Irvin Kershner’s “RoboCop 2” in 1990. The science-fiction action film, a sequel to the 1987 original, saw Peter Weller return as the titular RoboCop.
Noonan, meanwhile, played both the leader of the Nuke drug cartel and, later in the movie, RoboCop 2. Three years later, the actor-turned-director starred as another antagonist – this time as the Ripper opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Detective Jack Slater in 1993’s “Last Action Hero.” Noonan’s final film before his death was the Todd Haynes-directed mystery drama “Wonderstruck” in 2017.
-Leadership
Education
NFVCB Boss Urges Stronger Distribution Channels As Coal City Film Festival 2026 Opens In Enugu
The Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Dr Shaibu Husseini, has called for stronger distribution frameworks within Nigeria’s film industry to ensure that locally produced content achieves global visibility.
Dr Husseini made this call while delivering the keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 2026 edition of the Coal City Film Festival, held in Enugu.
Welcoming participants to the festival, Dr Husseini expressed his personal delight at hosting the event in Enugu, his birth state, noting the city’s rich cultural heritage and longstanding contributions to Nigeria’s creative landscape.
He commended the festival organisers, particularly the Festival Director, Uche Agbo, for their resilience and commitment in sustaining the initiative.
According to him, the Coal City Film Festival has grown into a significant cultural platform and a must-attend cinematic event in South East Nigeria.
Speaking on the festival’s theme, “Local Stories, Global Screens,” Dr Husseini emphasised the importance of authenticity in storytelling. He noted that films rooted in local realities, languages, and cultural truths often resonate more strongly with global audiences.
He cited notable Nigerian productions such as “King of Boys” by Kemi Adetiba, “The Wedding Party” by Mo Abudu, “Anikulapo” by Kunle Afolayan, “Black Book” by Editi Effiong, and “Lionheart” by Genevieve Nnaji as examples of culturally grounded stories that have gained international recognition on platforms such as Netflix and at global film festivals.
While acknowledging the growth in film production across Nigeria, the NFVCB boss identified distribution as a major bottleneck in the industry. He observed that many high-quality films struggle to reach audiences both locally and internationally due to limited distribution channels.
Dr. Husseini therefore urged film festivals across the country to evolve beyond networking platforms into active marketplaces where filmmakers can secure distribution deals. He stressed that festivals must attract distributors, exhibitors, streaming platforms, and marketers to create tangible opportunities for filmmakers.
“Film festivals must become gateways to distribution where filmmakers leave not just with applause, but with real opportunities,” he said.
Reaffirming the Board’s commitment to industry development, Dr. Husseini stated that the NFVCB has continued to reposition itself as a partner in progress by engaging stakeholders, improving classification processes, and promoting a balance between creative freedom and social responsibility.
However, he raised concerns over increasing non-compliance with regulatory requirements, noting that some filmmakers bypass the Board by releasing unclassified films or operating without proper licensing.
He reiterated that all films and video works must be submitted to the NFVCB for classification and registration before being released on any platform, including digital platforms such as YouTube.
“This is a legal obligation, and the Board will not hesitate to take decisive action against defaulters,” he warned, adding that regulation is essential for protecting the industry, audiences, and national values.
Looking ahead, Dr. Husseini assured stakeholders of the Board’s continued collaboration with filmmakers and festival organisers to build a structured, sustainable, and globally competitive Nigerian film industry.
He concluded by commending the organisers of the Coal City Film Festival for their vision and contribution to Nigeria’s cultural economy, urging filmmakers to continue telling authentic stories that can resonate across global screens.
-Leadership
Veteran rapper Michael Ugochukwu Stephens, popularly known as Ruggedman, has criticised the use of “Afrobeats” as a catchall term for all African music, calling it misleading.
In a recent interview with Day Genius, the rapper argued that the term is often used to group artistes who lack real talent and rely only on catchy beats.
The rapper also claimed that many artists in this category struggle with live performances and freestyling because they depend too much on autotune and studio effects.
Nollywood actress and comedian, Kudirat Abeniade Soremi, popularly known as Mama No Network, has bought a new car.
She posted on her Instagram page and shared pictures of her new car, congratulating herself.
“Congratulations to me. Your car is next in line for Jesus.
May the celebration never cease in our home. May God surround me and you with people who genuinely love and celebrate God’s gift in your life,” she posted.
Her colleagues and fans congratulated her on this feat. Rejoicing with her, Bimpe Akintunde wrote, “Congratulations, Iye mi
The actress is known for playing a deaf woman and mother in the Yoruba movie industry.
Last year, she was conferred with a chieftaincy title in Texas Ijebuland, which is (Yeye Owu Ojuwo of Ijebuland)
-Leadership
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NFVCB Boss Urges Stronger Distribution Channels As Coal City Film Festival 2026 Opens In Enugu
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