The 49-year-old popular Yoruba actor died in the early hours of today in his residence.
Barely 24 hours after reports of the death of popular Nollywood actor Obinna Nwafor, famously known as Saint Obi, went viral, there comes news of the death of another popular actor, Murphy Afolabi.
Tunde Ola-Yusuf, a filmmaker and the president of the Yoruba
movies directors guild on Sunday broke the news about Afolabi’s death.
The thespian, who acted in Yoruba movies, was said to have
fallen down in the bathroom at his house in Ikorodu, Lagos, on Sunday morning,
May 14, 2023.
The deceased celebrated his birthday just over a week ago, precisely Friday, May 5.
He was corroborated by the Managing Director of the popular
movie marketing company, Corporate Pictures Nigeria Limited, Abdullahi
Abdulrasaq.
Olaiya wrote, “I swear to God just before the news, I was
still hailing him. This is really a rude shock to me.”
Showbiz personality and the convener of the Best of
Nollywood Awards, Seun Oloketuyi, also confirmed the news. He said, “It is
true. He passed away after taking a fall in his bathroom at his house in
Ikorodu this morning.”
Also, Tunde Ola-Yusuf, a filmmaker, posted a picture of the
late actor on Facebook and added the quote, “Rest in peace. May God give the
family and close associates the fortitude to bear the loss. Good night, Murphy
Afolabi.”
Yet another filmmaker, Fidelis Duker, wrote, “What is really
happening? I am just watching him in a movie now.”
However, some Yoruba actors were seen commenting and
commiserating with the family of the deceased.
Born on May 5, 1974, Afolabi got into the movie industry in 2001.
Murphy, who started his career with a movie titled ‘Ifa Olokun’ under Dagunro’s guidance, featured in and produced scores of others.
The graduate of Ire Polytechnic, Osun State, appeared in over 60 movies
before his death. His film credits include ‘Ifa Olokun’, ‘Omowunmi’, ‘Jimi
Bendel’, ‘Wasila Coded’, ‘Olokiki Oru’, and ‘Idera’.