Van Vicker
In the Ghanaian movie industry, he is referred to as Van Vicker but his full name is Joseph van Vicker and he was born on 1st August 1977.
He is a Liberian-Ghanaian actor. Vicker was born to a Liberian mother and a Dutch father. His father died when he was six years old. He has often cited in interviews that he considers himself a global citizen as he was raised all over the world by his mother.
Due to the early death of his father Vicker has stated that he is very close to his mother and considers her his hero. Vicker attended Mfantsipim School, along with fellow actor Majid Michel. Vicker started out in the entertainment world in radio as a presenter at Groove 106.3 fm (1999–2000) & Vibe 91.9fm (2001–2004) and as a television personality for TV3 Ghana (1997–1999) & Metro TV (2000–2004), Vicker appeared in the Ghanaian television series, Suncity, which depicted university life. He played the character of LeRoy King, Jr., a fine arts student born in the U.S. who arrives at Suncity to complete his education. The series ran for a total of 10 episodes.
Vicker was cast in his first film Divine Love as a supporting character. This film coincidentally was also the debut roles for fellow actors Jackie Aygemang and Majid Michel who were cast in the female and male lead respectively. Vicker is usually cast as the male romantic lead, often alongside actresses Jackie Aygemang and Nadia Buari. He is often compared to fellow Ghanaian actor Majid Michel and Nigerian Ramsey Nouah.
Vicker has appeared in numerous Nollywood films alongside prominent Nollywood actors including Tonto Dikeh, Mercy Johnson, Stephanie Okereke, Chika Ike and Jim Iyke. His Nollywood movies include My Soul Mate, Heart of Fire, Popular King, Gambling with Marriage, Harvest of Love, Stolen Will, The Joy of a Prince, Discovered, The Kingdom and Against the law. Vicker is one of the renowned African actors worldwide.
He has directed, starred and produced five films under his sky + Orange Productions since 2008. 2012 was the brightest year for his production house earning him best actor and director for his smash comedy ‘Joni Walker’. Vicker has also won and has been nominated for numerous awards from Africa to the Caribbean. Awards include Ghana Movie Awards, ACRAG awards and the Nollywood Academy Films Critics’ Awards.
In 2009, he won the Best African Caribbean actor and Best Actor African American and in 2011 he won the Pan African creative actor. In 2013, he won the Best International Actor award at the Papyrus Magazine Screen Actors Awards (PAMSAA) 2013 which was held in Abuja. He received two nominations for Best Actor in a Leading Role and Best Upcoming Actor at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2008. Vicker was married to Adjoa Vicker and they have three children, two daughters and a son.
He is the CEO of “Sky + Orange Productions”, a film production house; Van Vicker Training facility is the latest entrepreneurship of Vicker where students are trained in the field in acting by professionals. The Van Vicker Foundation is an outreach program for the youth. In 2004, he starred in Divine Love alongside Majid Michel and Jackie Appiah. He also played a role in Beyonce: The President’s Daughter in the same year.
In 2006, Van Vicker starred in the movies Darkness of Sorrow, Mummy’s Daughter and The Return of Beyonce. In the following year, Van Vicker starred in American Boy, I Hate Women, Innocent Soul, In the Eyes of My Husband and Princess Tyra. Others were Royal Battle, Slave to Lust and Wedlock of the Gods. VAN 2
In 2008, the movies he starred in include Broken Tears, Corporate Maid, Friday Night, Jealous Princess, River of Tears and Total Love. He followed up with Twilight Sisters, Royal War and Beyond Conspiracy in 2009. Discovered, Loyal Enemies and Kingdom in Flames are some of the movies he starred in 2010. Other movies he has starred in include Paparazzi Eye in the Dark, One Night In Vegas and Skinned. In 2008, Joseph Van Vicker, Director, Producer and African Movie Actor, UNHCR Ambassador in Ghana, and Glo Ambassador began a movement to inspire and motivate youths to identify their potentials and develop themselves to be productive. He has a special concern for the under privilege worldwide who do not have the opportunity to resources for development.
In September 6, 2010; Van Vicker Foundation (VVF) was launched in Ghana, to help deprived children have access to learning and developing activities and a safe place to learn and grow. The organization is enthusiastically and passionately creating opportunities to cultivate environments of successors through programs that encourage discipline, determination, focus, team-work, persistence and personal achievement.
Programs will be designed to blend deep-rooted culture with the western world and display of cultural activities to meet all facets of individual development. This organization will exhibit social economic manpower through tourism and other extra-curricular activities. Goals for the organization is to nurture great leaders and members through developed skills to bring development, productivity and change in lives and communities.
