Having lost his father, to the cold hands of death following a car crash, when he was 11, Seasoned British actor, Chiwetel Ejiofor, has recounted his experience.
The London-based role interpreter, recounts how his father died after they both returned to his home country for a wedding.
Recall that the actor and his family fled Nigeria in the 1960s Biafran war,
Ejiofor and his father were driving along the motorway when a truck hit the car they were in; an accident that left him with broken bones and his father, dead.
In an interview with GQ Magazine, published on Monday, the actor stated that losing one’s parent at a young age affects how such a person views life.
Speaking about his experience, Ejiofor said, “When you lose a parent young, it has a profound effect on the way you view life. At an early age, you realise the value of some things and the preciousness of life itself, which is something most people acquire later on.
“Certain fears or neuroses you definitely carry. Some are justified but you do lose a lot of ideas about knowledge.”
The actor noted that he was lucky to have overcome some of his fears.
“I have been lucky enough to break some of the fears I had – and when you do, you recognise your genuine path and personality in a richer, deeper way,” Ejiofor said.