Biography
Kunle Afolayan was born on the 30th of September, 1975, in Ebute Metta, Lagos State, Nigeria. He is a native of Igbonina-Yoruba and the son of the legendary filmmaker Adeyemi Josiah Afolayan, who was famously known as Ade Love. Kunle continued his learning in economics at the University of Lagos and went to the New York Film Academy to study filmmaking.
Wife
Kunle Afolayan has been in one marriage with Tolu Afolayan, whom he tied the knot with in 2007 and blessed with four children. However, they filed for divorce in 2019, primarily as a result of cheating accusations.
Age
Currently, Kunle Afolayan is 50 years of age.
Family
Kunle derived his origin from one of the most influential families that have dominated the Nigerian film industry. He has other brothers in the film industry, including Aremu Afolayan, Gabriel Afolayan, and sister Moji Afolayan. His father, Ade Love, had been one of the pioneers of the Yoruba indigenous film industry; hence, Kunle also joined the line.
Career
Kunle Afolayan is an actor who has been working in the Nigerian film industry since the late 1990s; one of his early appearances can be noticed in the political drama Saworoide published in 1999. His directorial début was “Irapada” in 2006, which has made a great impact to win the Africa Movie Academy Award for the best film in an African language. Afolayan is known for the attempts he has been making to ensure that Nollywood products are produced with better standards and resources than what were initially used in the production of such films.
Some of his well-known movies are “The Figurine” released in 2009, “Phone Swap” released in 2012, “October 1” released in 2014, and “Citation” released in the year 2020. In 2021, he solidified his stake in Hollywood with a three-picture agreement with Netflix.
Children
Kunle Afolayan at the moment has 4 children from his marriage to his ex-wife, Tolu Afolayan
Awards
Over the years, Kunle Afolayan has been awarded many accolades in recognition of his effort towards the growth of cinema. His film October 1 was honored with 16 big African movie awards in 2015, and Aníkúlápó was awarded AMVCA for Best Indigenous Language—Yoruba in 2023.
Other nominations of his include Best Director and Best Overall Movie at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.
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Kunle Afolayan has been marked as a pertinent figure in the Nigerian film industry. With his unique and captivating storytelling talents, he has put African culture on the world stage.
