Femi Branch
{{Short description|Nigerian actor}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Femi Branch
| image =
| imagesize =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name = Femi Branch
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1970|05|14}}
| birth_place = Sagamu, Ogun, Nigeria
| othername =
| nationality = Nigerian
| citizenship = Nigerian
| alma_mater = Obafemi Awolowo University
| occupation = Actor, director, producer
| yearsactive = 1991–present
| website =
}}
Femi Branch{{Audio|Yo-Femi Branch.ogg|Listen|help=no}} (born May 14, 1970) is a Nigerian actor, director, producer and politician who contested for deputy governor during the 2023 general election in Ogun state.{{cite web|url=http://www.nigeriafilms.com/news/17352/8/top-actor-femi-branch-opens-up-on-n4m-debt-scandal.html |title=TOP ACTOR FEMI BRANCH OPENS UP ON N4M DEBT SCANDAL |work=nigeriafilms.com |accessdate=25 February 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225125854/http://www.nigeriafilms.com/news/17352/8/top-actor-femi-branch-opens-up-on-n4m-debt-scandal.html |archivedate=25 February 2015 }}{{cite web|url=http://m.dailytimes.com.ng/article/nollwood-actor-femi-branch-play-host-miss-insurance-grand-finale#.VN6QAMXgHa8 |title=Nollywood Actor, Femi Branch Play Host @ Miss Insurance Grand Finale -- article |work=dailytimes.com.ng |accessdate=25 February 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225111232/http://m.dailytimes.com.ng/article/nollwood-actor-femi-branch-play-host-miss-insurance-grand-finale |archivedate=25 February 2015 }}{{Cite web |last=Okporu |first=Rachel |date=2021-09-25 |title=Actor Femi Branch reacts to Bobrisky and Mompha's dating allegation |url=https://www.kemifilani.ng/entertainment/actor-femi-branch-reacts-to-bobrisky-and-momphas-dating-allegation |access-date=2022-03-12 |website=Kemi Filani News |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |date=2022-06-19 |title=Yaw, Timi Dakolo, 9ice, others x-ray Nigeria with stage play, Po |url=https://punchng.com/yaw-timi-dakolo-9ice-others-x-ray-nigeria-with-stage-play-po/ |access-date=2022-07-17 |website=Punch Newspapers |language=en-US}}
Early life
Branch was born on May 14, 1970. His parents were teachers in Sagamu, Nigeria.{{cite web|url=http://www.informationng.com/2014/02/nollywood-actor-femi-branch-battles-serious-spiritual-problem.html |title=Nollywood Actor, Femi Branch, Battles Serious Spiritual Problem… |author=Tolu |work=INFORMATION NIGERIA |accessdate=25 February 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225111331/http://www.informationng.com/2014/02/nollywood-actor-femi-branch-battles-serious-spiritual-problem.html |archivedate=25 February 2015 }} He attended Satellite Town Primary School at Amuwo Odofin before attending the Airforce Secondary School at Ikeja.{{cite web|url=http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/femi-branch-how-acting-affects-family-life/158954/ |title=Femi Branch: How Acting Affects Family Life, Articles - THISDAY LIVE |work=thisdaylive.com |accessdate=25 February 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225105816/http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/femi-branch-how-acting-affects-family-life/158954/ |archivedate=25 February 2015 }} He later proceeded to Obafemi Awolowo University where, though admitted for Religious Studies, he later obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dramatic Arts.{{cite web|url=http://m.modernghana.com/movie/14720/4/i-have-a-ministry-but-im-not-a-pastor-femi-branch.html|title=I have a ministry, but Im not a pastor -Femi Branch|work=modernghana.com|accessdate=25 February 2015}}
Career
Branch began his career at Obafemi Awolowo University in 1991, the same year he featured in a yoruba stage play titled Eniyan.{{cite web|url=http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/a-bookjam-treat-for-abuja-literati/86710/ |title=A Bookjam Treat for Abuja Literati, Articles - THISDAY LIVE |work=thisdaylive.com |accessdate=25 February 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225112232/http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/a-bookjam-treat-for-abuja-literati/86710/ |archivedate=25 February 2015 }} He later featured in a movie titled Orisun (meaning: Origin) produced by members of staff of Obafemi Awolowo University but his first appearance on television was in 2003 in an MTN Group television commercial titled "Dance with me".{{cite web|url=http://www.nigeriafilms.com/news/2505/5/playing-the-bad-boy-in-movies-is-challenging-femi-.html |title=PLAYING THE BAD BOY IN MOVIES IS CHALLENGING,-- FEMI BRANCH |work=nigeriafilms.com |accessdate=25 February 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225130005/http://www.nigeriafilms.com/news/2505/5/playing-the-bad-boy-in-movies-is-challenging-femi-.html |archivedate=25 February 2015 }} He appeared in the role of Oscar in a soap opera titled Domino. He has since appeared in over a hundred Nigerian films, a few of which he produced and directed. In 2024, Branch starred in Farmer's Bride - a Nigerian period drama.{{Cite web |last=BellaNaija.com |date=2024-09-27 |title=Mercy Aigbe, Tobi Bakre, Gbubemi Ejeye & More Bring Traditional Elegance to "Farmer's Bride" Premiere {{!}} See the Looks |url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2024/09/farmers-bride-premiere-looks/ |access-date=2024-10-01 |website=BellaNaija |language=en-US}}
Awards and nominations
| class ="wikitable" |
| Year
!Award ceremony !Prize !Result ! Ref |
|---|
| 2018
|Best Actor in a Lead Role - English |{{nom}} |
| 2025
|Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards |Best Lead Actor |{{Nominated}} |
References
{{Reflist}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Branch, Femi}}
Category:Nigerian male film actors
Category:People from Ogun State
Category:Obafemi Awolowo University alumni
Category:20th-century Nigerian male actors
Category:21st-century Nigerian male actors
Category:Male actors in Yoruba cinema
Category:Nigerian male television actors
Category:Nigerian film directors
Category:Nigerian film producers
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