Named after Russian film and stage actor, Yul Brynner, Edochie was born Yul Chibuike Daniel Edochie on January 7, 1982, in Lagos, Nigeria. He is the last of 6 children born to veteran Nigerian Actor, Pete Edochie and Josephine Edochie. He began his nursery and primary education at Lillian's Day Nursery School and Robinson Street Primary School, Enugu. He had his secondary education at Marist Brothers' Juniorate, Uturu, Abia State; University Secondary School; Ecumenical Community Secondary School; and New Haven Boys Secondary School in Enugu respectively. Edochie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dramatic Arts from the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

Edochie came into limelight in the 2005 film, Exquires, and rose to prominence in the 2007 film, Wind of Glory. He is known for ''Sleek Ladies'' (2007), ''Give it Up'' (2008), ''Kiss My Pain'' (2008), ''Tears of Hope'' (2009), ''My Loving Heart'' (2009), ''Unstoppable'' (2010), ''Pleasure and Crime'' (2011), ''Against the Law'' (2012), ''Zone 9'' (2012), ''The End is Near'' (2012), ''Bridge of Contract'' (2012), ''Eye of the Eagle'' (2013), ''The Jezebels'' (2013), ''Death Certificate'' (2013), ''Blind Choice'' (2013), ''Money Kingdom'' (2013), ''Restless Soul'' (2013), Agony of A Princess'' (2013), ''The Mirror'' (2014), ''Apostles of Lucifer'' (2014), ''Python Queen'' (2014), ''Royal Maid'' (2015), ''Dowry Man'' (2015), ''Compound Fools'' (2015), ''Royal Maid'' (2015), ''Ojuju Calabar'' (2015), ''Brothers of War''(2015), ''Rain of Hope'' (2016), ''Passion of A Prince'' (2017), and ''The Affectionate Wife'' (2017). In 2015, Edochie directed and acted in the film, Dooshima.

Edochie is also notable on television for his roles on ''Tinsel'', ''Royal Castle'', and ''The Palace''.

Edochie is married to May Aligwe with whom he has 3 children; 2 sons and 1 daughter. Edochie is the younger brother of actor, Linc Edochie, and cousin to late actor, Muna Obiekwe. In 2015, Edochie founded Yul Edochie Film Academy in Lagos. On July 14, 2017, Edochie openly asserted his intention to contest for the Governor's seat in Anambra State and eventually became the Democratic Peoples Congress gubernatorial candidate at the Anambra State gubernatorial elections in 2017. Edochie however lost the seat to the incumbent governor.