Officially left my thirties behind — Jackie Appiah celebrates 40th birthday

Ghanaian actress Jackie Appiah, one of Nollywood's biggest names, is celebrating her 40th birthday today, December 5.

In a post on social media, Jackie Appiah wrote "Officially left my thirties behind", sharing a photo to mark the occasion.

Born in 1983 in Toronto to Ghanaian parents, the celebrated thespian relocated to Ghana at age 10 and broke into the film industry in her 20s with hit roles in local productions.

"It was a Venus Film Production titled Divine Love and I had to play the role of Kate, the protagonist. I didn’t believe did too good. I fumbled but, many people did not notice it," she said of her debut nerves, though impressing regardless.

Her breakout performance came in Mummy’s Daughter by Venus Films. "I loved how I acted and I was happy with the role I played,” she enthused about playing the character of Princess in the family drama in a past interview.

Now one of Ghana's most bankable movie talents, Jackie Appiah's fame crossed over to Nigeria with movies like Black Soul and Bitter Blessing.

This led to her being honoured as Best International Actress at the 2013 PAMSAA Awards in Abuja.

Over 15 films in Ghana and Nigeria made Appiah "[see] the local film industry as having changed for the better", convinced of its rising prestige and commercial viability.