The name William Benson refers to multiple individuals across different fields, but in this article we focus on the Nigerian actor and filmmaker William Benson (born 25 March 1970) his biography, age, career trajectory, nationality, and net worth (to the extent publicly available).
Early Life & Nationality
William Benson was born on 25 March (1970 is the most cited year) in Lagos State, Nigeria.
He is Nigerian by nationality.
He pursued education in English Language and Literature at University of Lagos.
Age
Given the birthdate of 25 March 1970 (as per Wikipedia) for William Benson the actor, he would be 55 years old as of 2025.
Note: Some sources simply say “late 40s or early 50s” when uncertain of year, but the more precise listing is 1970.
Career Overview
William Benson has built a multifaceted career in acting, theatre, directing, writing, and production.
Key career points:
- Began his career on stage and in radio dramas in the 1990s.
- Transitioned into television and film. He is known for roles in productions like The Herbert Macaulay Affair (2019) and To Kill a Monkey (2025).
- He is described as “frequently cast in intense, emotionally charged roles, leaders, anti-heroes, and historical figures.”
- His background in literature (English language) and theatre directing has informed his work behind as well as in front of the camera.
Notable Works & Highlights
- To Kill a Monkey: A Netflix crime-thriller (2025) directed by Kemi Adetiba where Benson plays Efemini Edewor. Critics say his performance was “exceptionally intense, emotionally driven and realistic.”
- Ajoche: A Nigerian telenovela that contributed to his TV recognition.
- The Herbert Macaulay Affair: He portrays Herbert Macaulay, a significant historical figure in Nigeria’s history; this marks his involvement in historically-themed work.
- Theatre work: He directed short films and plays with social/historical themes (e.g., Isale Eko, Emotan, Oba Eshugbayi) in earlier years.
State / Place
He is based in Lagos State, Nigeria, where he was born and studied. His career has been active within Nollywood (Nigeria’s film industry) and theatre in that region.
Net Worth
There is no reliable, publicly-verified figure for William Benson’s net worth. Many actor/filmmaker profiles list estimated net worths, but without credible sources for this individual specifically. Therefore, it would be speculative to assign a definitive number.
If required, one could estimate based on roles, type of projects, and endorsement deals — but such estimates should be taken with caution.
Summary Table on William Benson Biography
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | William Benson |
| Date of Birth | 25 March 1970 |
| Age | 55 years (as of 2025) |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Education | English Language & Literature, Univ. of Lagos |
| Career | Actor, theatre director, playwright/producer |
| Notable Works | To Kill a Monkey, The Herbert Macaulay Affair, Ajoche |
| Net Worth | Not publicly verified |
Why His Work Stands Out
- His background in theatre and literature gives him depth and versatility in his roles, particularly in historically-themed or intense characters.
- By engaging with both stage and screen, he brings theatrical authenticity to his performances, which critics and audiences appreciate.
- His involvement in rising projects like To Kill a Monkey places him in the emerging global reach of Nollywood and streaming platforms.
- Staying based in Nigeria and working locally helps preserve his cultural authenticity, while reaching international outlets (Netflix etc) shows the global ambition of his craft.
Recent Highlights on William Benson Biography
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Major performance in To Kill a Monkey (2025)
Benson played the lead role of “Efemini Edewor” in the Netflix crime-thriller series To Kill a Monkey, directed by Kemi Adetiba. The series premiered 18 July 2025.
In recent interviews, Benson discussed how this role felt personal and how the production team had been searching for the “right spark” for the character.
Critics and media outlets regard this as a career-defining moment for him. -
Involvement in Osamede (2025)
He’s featured in Osamede, a Nigerian epic fantasy film set in the Benin Kingdom (1897 invasion backdrop), directed by James Omokwe. He plays a character named “Iyase”.
In a recent article, he shared how his maternal cultural ties to the Benin Kingdom made the role resonate for him deeply. -
Reflective interviews & personal disclosure
In an interview published 2 Oct 2025, Benson opened up about the loss of his parents and how that has influenced his life and work.
He also gave a more general reflective interview (Sept 21 2025) where he talked about his discipline, long theatre background, and how he approached the transition to major screen roles.
Current Things to Note / Potential Considerations
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Though To Kill a Monkey has raised his profile considerably, review commentary has been mixed about the series overall (despite applause for his personal performance). For example, some reviewers describe the show as “a pale imitation of what once made Kemi Adetiba exciting”.
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There’s not yet publicly available much about endorsement deals or large commercial moves for him (at least that I found), so the next step in his career may still be unfolding.
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Since many sources list him born March 25, 1970 (making him 55 in 2025) but earlier reports show uncertainty, a small caveat remains about exact age/biographical data.
What to Watch for
Here are a few things to keep an eye on for Benson:
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Upcoming releases: After Osamede and To Kill a Monkey, check if there are announcements for new films or series featuring him (especially on streaming platforms).
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Awards/recognition: Given the critical acclaim for his performance,-watch for possible nominations or awards in Nollywood / African film festivals.
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Brand/endorsements: With elevated profile, often such actors move into brand partnerships—monitor his social channels for such moves.
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Public engagements/interviews: The deeper personal interviews hint at more openness; he may get more media attention, panels, speaking engagements.
Conclusion
William Benson’s biography reflects a mature and evolving career rooted in Nigerian theatre and cinema, with increasing visibility on international platforms. Knowing his age (55), nationality (Nigerian), education (University of Lagos), and career path gives a solid overview, though precise net worth remains unverified.
Also Read: Musa Mai Sana a biography: Age, Movie, Origin, Achievement, comedy, networth and Instagram Account
FAQs
Q1: What is William Benson’s exact net worth?
A1: There is no publicly verified net worth figure for William Benson. Any figure found online should be treated as an estimate unless backed by credible financial disclosure.
Q2: Is William Benson only an actor?
A2: No. Apart from acting, he has worked as a theatre director, playwright and producer, and has been involved in both stage and film projects.
Q3: Which project brought William Benson international recognition?
A3: The film To Kill a Monkey (2025), released via Netflix and directed by Kemi Adetiba, has been noted as a peak moment for his exposure and critical recognition.