Popular Yoruba Actor Sisi Quadri Dies at 44

A Yoruba Nollywood actor, Tolani Quadri Oyebamiji, popularly known as Sisi Quadri is reportedly dead.

Oyebamiji celebrated his 44th birthday on December 25, 2023.

His death was announced by some of his colleagues in the Yoruba movie industry.

Announcing his death, Nollywood actress, Abiola Bayo wrote on her verified Instagram handle, “You will be greatly missed, Sisi Quadri. May your soul rest in perfect peace.”

Another actor, Tunde Yusuf who posted his (Sisi Quadri)’s picture said, Everything in the world is according to the will of Allah, from Allah we have come and unto Him, we shall return. May God bless, rest your soul, bro.

Regina Chukwu also commiserated with the late Oyebamiji’s family while sharing the story of how he was fighting for his life some days back, adding, “Most people don’t know but yes, I trained under him as a make-up artist on set for years.

He is well known for his role in the movie “Seniyan Seranko,” which was released on December 4, 2004.

The late actor was also set to captivate audiences in the upcoming film “Anikulapo: The Return of Spectre,” which is scheduled for release in cinemas across the country shortly but was released on Netflix today (Friday).

Speaking on how he began his acting career with The PUNCH in 2023, the Popular Yoruba actor said he concluded his primary and secondary education in Ore, Ondo State after which he met with his dad’s elder brother who took him to his lecturer, Toyin Olaiya (Alaga council) who introduced him into acting.

“I proceeded to learn cloth design for four years which I concluded in 1999. My passion for education prompted me to further my education at The Polytechnic Iree.

“Afterwards, in 2000 my dad’s elder brother introduced me to my lecturer and mentor, Toyin Olaiya (Alaga council) who brought me into acting. When the late Hameeda Shakeem first saw me, she was so interested in me that she made me become a part of their team of actors.

“After this, I was introduced to makeup and relocated to Lagos where I met many celebrities. That’s how God favoured me and my journey to stardom began. My dad’s mission was for me to be a popular Muslim cleric but I achieved it in another way,” he added.

Continuing, Oyebamiji stressed, “I usually did an extra in movies, acting one or two scenes before I featured in the movie, ‘Seranko Seniyan’ released on December 4, 2004. With the advent of social media, I began skit-making with my friend, Funmi Awelewa before we put together a movie from the skits titled, ‘Ebudola.’”

While fielding a question on how he was popular for insulting people in movie scenes, the late actor opined that it is an inborn talent.

“It’s a God-given and inborn talent. However, I learnt how to insult people in a joking way through my dad and mum. My dad would never beat his children but the words he would say could make one rethink one’s decision; when my dad talks, you would think he is on a movie set.

“The way I act in movies is the way I behave normally; I had to tone down my excesses when I became known. Sometimes I shoot skits from the words I say jokingly or when I’m just being funky with friends.”