Biography
Yemi Etieme Solade (born 31 January 1960), known as Yemi Solade, is a captivating actor and veteran thespian.
He is pretty popular amongst Yoruba movie-viewers and prominent in the Nollywood film industry for his roles in films such as Widow, Voiceless Scream, and Elevator Baby.
Yemi Solade is regarded as one of the founders of the contemporary Nigerian movie industry. He has also acted in movies such as Madam Dearest, Pasito Deinde, Iriri Mi, Bread Winner, and Thunderbolt.
YEMI SOLADE | |
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| WIKI FACTS & ABOUT DATA | |
| Full Name: | Yemi Etieme Solade |
| Stage Name: | Yemi Solade |
| Born: | 31 January 1960 (age 62 years old) |
| Place of Birth: | Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria |
| State Of Origin: | Ogun State |
| Nationality: | Nigerian |
| Height: | N/A |
| Parents: | N/A |
| Siblings: | N/A |
| Wife • Spouse: | Hannah Marsh Solade |
| Girlfriend • Partner: | N/A |
| Children: | Rola Solade, Femi Solade |
| Occupation: | Actor • TV Personality |
| Net Worth: | US$500,000 |
Early Life & Education
Yemi Solade was born in Surulere, Lagos State, Nigeria, on 31st January 1960. He is Yoruba by tribe and a Christian.
His mother hails from Oron in Akwa Ibom State, South-South Nigeria, whereas his father originates from Egba in Ogun State, western Nigeria.
During his early days in Lagos State, Yemi Solade grew up at Adeniran Ogunsanya, along Ogunlana Drive.
Yemi Solade was a St. Acquilla Primary School student before proceeding to the Birch Freeman Secondary School for his secondary education. After an attempt to get his A’level certificate abroad failed, she continued his education at the Oyo State College of Arts and Science (OSCAS) as he prepared for the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination.
Furthermore, he enrolled at the prestigious University of Ife (which is now Obafemi Awolowo University O.A.U) under the tutelage of renowned Professor Wole Soyinka.
After graduating with a degree in Dramatic Arts from O.A.U, he proceeded to Ahmadu Bello University for a Master’s degree in Public Administration. Yemi Solade also earned a Sociology and Anthropology degree from University of Leicester, U.K. He is also a degree holder of International Relations from O.A.U.
Yemi Solade completed his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program in Maiduguri, Northern Nigeria, where he taught at Ramat Polytechnic.
Career
Yemi Solade started acting during Festac 77, an Arts and Culture Festival held in 1977, when he was 17. As a young Surulere lad, he won the dance champion in Lagos State for three years in a row and represented Africa in world dance competitions held in Spain. He made his debut appearance on stage during a 45-minutes-monologue called Crazy Youngie, playing the role of a passenger and driver.
After completing his education, Yemi Solade lectured in universities and polytechnics such as the Ramat Polytechnic, University of Maiduguri, and Kaduna Polytechnic. He later moved on to Kaduna, where he became the Assistant Director of Kaduna music and drama society, an entertainment hub founded by the Deputy British High Commission.
Yemi Solade later camped at O.A.U in 1993, where he was made the Artistic Director at Professor Ola Rotimi’s theatre company. He shot his first Yoruba film titled Oju Inu (Insight), which was directed by Wale Adenuga, current CEO of the PEFTI Film Institute. His team stood as the first to premiere a movie at Muson Center, but the movie didn’t make it past that stage due to financial issues.
Yemi Solade also featured in every Wale Adenuga Tv series, including Papa Ajasco, Super Story, This Life, and Odd World. However, he is much appreciated for his role in films such as The Widow, Voiceless Scream, and Elevator Baby.
Social Media
Yemi Solade is an active social media site Instagram user with over 316k followers. Notwithstanding, he’s also active on other social platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.
- Instagram:@realyemisolade
- Twitter: @yemisolade
- Facebook: Yemi Solade
Personal Life
Yemi Solade is married to a beautiful woman, Hannah Marsh Solade, whom he met on the set of Wale Adenuga’s Tv series Super Story. He married Hannah Marsh Solade after he divorced his first wife, a Shohuarab lady, on a religious basis.
Yemi Solade disclosed in an interview that her parents intended to Islamise him. His marriage to Hannah Marsh Solade is blessed with two children, a girl and a boy named Rola Solade and Femi Solade.
Controversies
In June 2021, Yemi Solade was criticized for supporting the Nigerian government’s ban on Twitter.
Yemi Solade, to the disgust of several Nigerian citizens, defended the president’s ban on Twitter and stated it was the government’s best decision. However, he never apologized or changed his mind regarding the matter.
Net Worth
Yemi Solade is well known in the Nigerian movie industry, Nollywood. He is one of the earliest actors who built the foundation of the industry, especially the Yoruba version.
He is employed for his bank of knowledge in movie directing and cinematics. He formed TAMPAN (Theatre Arts and Movie Practitioners Association of Nigeria) alongside Adebayo ‘Oga Bello’ Salami, Jide Kosoko, and Dele Odule in 2009.
Yemi Solade also doubles as the president of The Shakers Foundation. His net worth is an estimated US$500,000, according to various sources.
Filmography
- Madam Dearest
- Pasito Deinde
- Iriri Mi
- Bread Winner
- Thunderbolt
- My Experience
- Shadows
- Gbagede
- The Other Woman
- Borokini as Olasupo Omoseni
TV Series
- This Life
- Super Story
- Papa Ajasco
- Old World.
