Anayo Modestus Onyekwere, popularly known as Kanayo O.Kanayo (KOK), was born March 1, 1962 to Mr. and Mrs. Donatus and Isabella Onyekwere of Mbaise, Imo State. He attended early education at New Haven Primary School, Enugu and Secondary Technical School Aba before proceeding to the University of Lagos, where he obtained a diploma in Mass Communications and later a graduate degree in Philosophy from the same University. He further went on to gain a diploma in Law and is also a Masters Degree holder in Political Science, also from UNILAG.

Kanayo made his debut film appearance in Nollywood’s first major film Living In Bondage. Since then, he has received several professional and service awards in Nigeria and abroad including Afro Hollywood Award London (2000), African Actor of the Year (2006), Ambassador Award New York (2009) and Nollywood Award of Excellence and many more.

Kanayo is married to Nneka Onyekwere and together they have a daughter and three sons.