Yul Chibuike Daniel Edochie (born 7 January 1982), popularly known as Yul Edochie, is a Nigerian actor and politician.
Early life and education Edochie was born on 7 January 1982. He is from Anambra State and is the son of actor Pete Edochie, the youngest of six children. He was raised in both Lagos and Enugu. He was named after the Russian actor Yul Brynner. He attended the University of Port Harcourt, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in dramatic arts.
Career Edochie made his Nollywood debut in 2005 with the film The Exquires, starring alongside Justus Esiri and Enebeli Elebuwa. His breakthrough came in 2007 after featuring alongside Genevieve Nnaji and Desmond Elliot in the film Wind Of Glory.
In 2015, Edochie established a film academy in Lagos.
In February 2026, Yul Edochie was honoured by the Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN) with the Most Outstanding Actor of the Year 2025 award, recognising his consistent acting contributions and impact in the Nigerian film industry.
Politics In 2017, Edochie ran for governor of Anambra State and was the gubernatorial candidate for the Democratic Peoples Congress political party. Willie Obiano, who was seeking re-election, won a second term.
Personal life Edochie married May Aligwe at age 21. She was one year younger than him, 20 years old. The couple had three sons and a daughter together, but separated in 2022 after he announced that he had taken a second wife. On 27 April 2022, he revealed that he had married fellow actor Judy Austin, with whom he has two sons and welcomed a daughter in June 2025. His eldest son died on 30 March 2023 after having a seizure.
May Aligwe filed for divorce in 2023 and although they are currently estranged, the divorce has not been finalised yet.
He currently resides in Abuja with Judy Austin and their 3 children.
Filmography
Year Film Role Notes 2007 Sleek Ladies Starring Daniella Okeke, Ini Edo, Rita Dominic 2007 Wind of Glory Emeka Starring Desmond Elliot, Genevieve Nnaji 2008 Give It Up Starring Mike Ezuruonye, Ini Edo 2008 Kiss My Pain Johnson Starring Mike Ezuruonye, Mercy Johnson 2009 Tears of Hope Starring Ngozi Ezeonu, Olu Jacobs, Mercy Johnson 2009 My Loving Heart Starring Stella Damasus-Aboderin 2010 Unstoppable Chris 2011 Sarafina Owen Starring Rita Dominic, Halima Abubakar 2011 Pleasure and Crime Johnson 2012 Zone 9 Starring Nkem Owoh, Annie Macaulay–Idibia 2012 Bridge of Contract Starring Patience Ozokwor, Chika Ike, Chacha Eke 2012 The End is Near Starring Patience Ozokwor, Chika Ike, Chacha Eke 2012 Against The Law AnthonyStarring Olu Jacobs, Van Vicker 2013 Eye Of The Eagle 2013 Death Certificate Starring Stephanie Okereke 2013 The Jezebels Starring Tonto Dikeh 2013 Blind Choice Starring Oge Okoye 2013 Money Kingdom Starring Clem Ohameze Pete Edochie 2013 Agony Of A Princess Starring Chioma Chukwuka 2013 Restless Soul Starring Chika Ike 2014 The Mirror Film Director Teco Benson Starring Kate Henshaw 2014 Chioma The Weeping Queen Prince Chukwuemeka 2014 Apostles Of Lucifer Starring Ini Edo 2014 Python Queen Prince Oma Starring Patience Ozokwor, Nuella Njubigbo 2015 Dooshima Director Starring Mike Ezuruonye 2015 Ojuju Calabar Starring Belinda Effah, Ebube Nwagbo 2015 Royal Maid Prince Izozo Starring Eucharia Anunobi 2015 Compound Fools Starring Funke Akindele 2015 Dowry Man Uche Starring Monalisa Chinda, Iyabo Ojo2016Poka MessiahHadesDirected by Ernest Obi 2017 The Affectionate Wife Starring Queen Nwokoye 2017 Passion of a Prince Starring Chiwetalu Agu 2017 Mysterious Family 2017 ATM Machine Nicodemus Starring Nkechi Nweje, Destiny Etiko, Jerry Williams ???? Royal Choice Starring Joyce Kalu 2018 The Billionaires Eze Kwe Eche Starring Osita Iheme2018 Moms at WarChidi Ubosi Starring Omoni Oboli, Funke Akindele2018Native GirlUchennaStarring Judy Austin, Ifeanyi Azodo, Chigozie Atuanya2018Innocent OathDubemStarring Hayez Achu, Sese Ayanwu2019ClairvoyanceStarring Nkechi Blessing, Sapphire Ekeng2019Poor BillionaireChimaStarring Cynthia Ashimba, Great Emmanuel Chika2021About TimeLarryStarring Patience Attang, Khing Bassey2022IkembaStarring Chiwetalu Agu, Pete Edochie, 2022The Last EnigmaAfamefuna
Television The Palace Royal Castle Tinsel
Awards YearAwardCategoryResultNotesRef2009 City People Entertainment Awards Best New Actor Of The Year (English) 2012 2012 Nollywood Movies Awards Best Actor In A Supporting Role 2013 City People Entertainment Awards Best Actor of the Year (English) 2013 Pamsaa Awards Best Actor 2014 2014 Nollywood Movies Awards Best Lead Male 2015 Afrifimo Awards Best Actor Afrifimo Special Recognition Award 2015 was given2021Net HonoursMost Searched Actor
References
External links
Yul Edochie on Instagram Yul Edochie Film Making Class