Antar Laniyan age, biography, career highlights, and journey as a legendary Nigerian actor, director, and Nollywood icon.
Antar Laniyan has been a symbol of the golden age of Nollywood, as a person who played a stage actor and a revered icon for over 40 years. Independent authoritative characters such as chiefs, generals and coaches have featured in Super Story such as directing the first episode and even as a star in such successful series as Sango and Ijakumo. Through this blog, we will explore Antar Laniyan age and much more.
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Antar Laniyan entered the world on May 26, 1965, in Osogbo, the bustling capital of Osun State, Nigeria. His zodiac sign, Gemini, aligns with his adaptable career spanning acting, directing, and producing. As a proud Nigerian of Yoruba ethnicity, Laniyan embraces Christianity, often weaving cultural and moral themes into his work.
As of May 2026, Antar Laniyan will celebrate 60th birthday. Turning 61 this spring, his longevity defies typical actor timelines, maintaining vigor through disciplined fitness and selective roles.
He is 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) tall, and he is a tough and imposing-looking man, weighing about 85 kg (187 lbs). The authoritative presence of a chief or military role is left by the color of his skin, the shortness of his black-girl hair and the searching brown. Wide-shouldered and slow motions enhance his fatherly functions, which were youthful vigor in the 1980s plays, to experienced weight now. No tattoos were observed: his inherent charisma does not require supplements.
Laniyan makes his central point about family, but his privacy is strict. He was born in Osun to parents who imparted the Yoruba values. He pays tribute to his dead father, whose burial he had missed, to die in a shoot, and attributes it to a supportive childhood.
His academic background was made firm at Baptist Secondary School, Lagos where he was awarded his WAEC certificate. He furthered to the prestigious University of Ibadan, where he graduated with a BA in the Arts of Theatre. This high-end training under his master's, such as Ben Tomoloju, developed his art from amateur to professional cinematic. After graduation, he joined Kakaki Art Squad, where he combined academic studies with practical experiences.
Antar Laniyan started his career in 1976 with school stage plays and became a professional on June 18, 1980, under Ben Tomolju. His debut and several major roles in Everybody Wants to Know. In the 1990s, he starred in Sango, a production of Wale Ogunyemi (1997), also produced by Obafemi Lasode. In the 2000s, he was crowned the director of pilots of the hit soap Super Story by Wale Adenuga, besides Oh Father Oh Daughter and This Life.
Nollywood also boomed with parts in The Return of Jenifa (2011), Kabiosi (2015, Obaleye), Black Val (2016), Atupa (2018, Dad Enitan), Lucifer (2019), Kakanfo (2020, Chief Depo), The Cleanser (2021), Alimi (2021, Mr. Baruwa), Afua (2021, Coach), Oro Ife (2022, Kabiesi), IGE (2023, Chief Ojora).
| Year | Notable Works | Role/Contribution |
| 1980 | Everybody Wants to Know | Major General |
| 1997 | Sango | Lead Actor |
| 2000 | Super Story (Ep. 1) | Director |
| 2011 | Yemoja / Return of Jenifa | Actor |
| 2013 | Nurse Oyinda | Actor |
| 2015 | Kabiosi | Obaleye |
| 2021 | Afua | Coach |
| 2022 | Ijakumo | Chief Gbadamosi |
| 2023 | IGE | Chief Ojora |
Producing and directing amplify his legacy, mentoring stars like Kunle Afolayan.
The mantle of Laniyan is covered with awards such as the 2025 Honorary Doctorate in ANU Academy in relation to contributions in cinematography. His dominance in the genre is brought out in several Best Actor in Yoruba Film nominations. Directing Super Story won industry accolades and Sango established early acclaim.
Laniyan became a wife at a young age, establishing a sound family despite tough working timetables. His wife whose name is not disclosed aided by absences such as the birth of their daughter. They have one daughter and two sons whom they put their family first before their fame. His record is free of scandals, he preaches monogamy during interviews, but he lacks milestones, instead creating close relationships.
By 2026, Antar Laniyan net worth is estimated to be $1 million - $1.5 Million through multifaceted businesses.
Laniyan's wealth streams from acting fees (₦5-20 million per major role), directing soaps/TV (₦10-50 million per project), producing films, royalties from classics like Super Story, and endorsements. Real estate in Lagos/Osun, plus mentoring workshops, bolsters stability.
| Source | Annual Income (₦ Million) | Growth Notes |
| Acting | 100-200 | Steady roles |
| Directing/Producing | 150-300 | Super Story residuals |
| Royalties/Endorsements | 50-100 | Evergreen hits |
| Investments | 50+ | Lagos properties |
This data is accurate as of 19th January 2026:
| Social Platforms | Name of Account | Followers |
| @antarthywill | 849K followers | |
| YouTube | @ratnatv9948 | 20 subscribers |
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Antar Laniyan |
| Nickname | None widely used |
| Date of Birth | May 26, 1965 |
| Age (as of 2026) | 60 years old |
| Birth Place | Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Ethnicity | Yoruba |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Zodiac Sign | Gemini |
| Height | Approximately 5'10" (178 cm) |
| Build | Commanding, authoritative presence (suits chief/general roles) |
| Distinct Features | Strong facial features, deep voice [context] |
| Parents | From Osun State (father deceased) |
| Children | 1 daughter, 2 sons |
| Marital Status | Married (wife's name private) |
| Baptist Secondary School, Lagos | WAEC Certificate |
| University of Ibadan | BA Degree |
| 1976 | School stage dramas begin |
| June 18, 1980 | Professional debut - Major General in Everybody Wants to Know (Kakaki Art Squad) |
| 1997 | Starred in Sango (Wale Ogunyemi script) |
| 2000 | Directed Super Story Episode 1 (Wale Adenuga) |
| 2000s | Directed Oh Father Oh Daughter, This Life |
| 2011 | The Return of Jenifa |
| 2023 | IGE - The Unlikely Oil Merchant (Chief Ojora) |
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