Kunle Afolayan is a highly successful Nigerian actor, film producer, and director with a stellar reputation in the Nigerian movie industry. For over a decade, he has been consistently producing high-quality movies that captivate audiences across Nigeria and beyond. However, there are interesting facts about him that are not widely known. In this article, we will delve into everything you should know about this multi-faceted movie star.
Kunle Afolayan Biography
Kunle Afolayan was born on the 30th of September 1974 in Ebute Meta, Lagos State, in the SouthWest region of Nigeria. He hails from Kwara state and is a member of the Igbomina tribe, a small ethnic group with Yoruba heritage. Kunle’s late father, Adeyemi Josiah Afolayan, was a renowned theatrical and cinema director. Before he found his passion for filmmaking, Kunle studied finance at the New York Film Academy and worked as a banker while also pursuing his acting career. He married Tolu Afolayan, and together they had four children. However, their marriage hit the rocks in 2019 after a cheating allegation.
Kunle Afolayan Career
Kunle’s first-ever appearance was at the Subversive Film Festival in 2011, where he represented the Nigerian Film Industry. Before then, he had been involved in the Nollywood industry since 2005. He starred in one of his first movies, “Phone Swap,” alongside actors like Wale Ojo, Joke Silva, Nse Ikpe-Etim, and Chike Okpala. The movie made its French debut at the inaugural Nollywood Week Paris in May 2013 and won the Public Choice Award.
He is also the director of the movie “The Figurine.” The movie became a hit in Nigerian theatres and won five major African Film Academy awards. In 2021, Kunle signed an agreement with Netflix to produce three full-length movies, one of which would be a cinematic adaptation of Sefi Atta’s Swallow. He wrote the script with the author, which featured a significant change from the movie’s original plot. Some of the movies he has directed include “Irapada/Redemption,” “Araromire/The Figurine,” “Phone Swap,” “October 1,” “The CEO,” “The Bridge,” “Mokalik/Mechanic,” “Citation,” “Swallow,” and “Anikulapo.”
Kunle Afolayan Awards
Kunle Afolayan has received several awards throughout his career, including the 2012 Golden Jury award for Best Film at the Abuja International Film Festival, the 2012 Festival Prize for Outstanding Film Directing at the Abuja International Film Festival, the 2015 Best Movie Director by the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards, the 2015 Best Costume Design at the Africa Movie Academy Awards for the movie October 1, the 2015 Best Movie Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards for the movie October, and the 2019 Best Film Award at the Durban International Film Festival.
Summary of Awards:
- Best Nigerian Film – The Figurine (AMAA) – 2010
- Best Director – October 1 (AMAA) – 2015
- Best Feature Film – Mokalik (Africa International Film Festival) – 2019
Wife and Children
Kunle Afolayan is married to Tolu Afolayan, and the couple has four children together – three boys and a girl. His daughter, Eyiyemi Afolayan, is an actress and has been featured in some of his movies.
Kunle Afolayan Cars & Net Worth
Apart from his filmmaking career, Kunle is also known for his love for vintage cars. He currently owns four classic cars from companies like Mercedes Benz, Jaguar, and Ford. They are the 1929 Mercedes Benz W10 Gazelle, 1982 Jaguar XJ6, 1965 Ford Thunderbird, and 1979 Jaguar XJ6. His net worth is estimated to be around $1.3 million.
Conclusion
Kunle Afolayan’s impact on the Nigerian film industry cannot be overstated. His passion, talent, and hard work have earned him global recognition, and he continues to inspire young filmmakers in Nigeria and beyond. From his personal life to his impressive career achievements, this article has provided a comprehensive insight into everything you need to know about Kunle Afolayan.
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