Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje
Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje
Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbajeis an English actor and former fashion model of Nigerian origin. He is best known for his roles as Lock-Nah in The Mummy Returns, Nykwana Wombosi in The Bourne Identity, Mr. Eko on Lost, and Simon Adebisi on Oz. His more recent roles include Malko in the fifth season of the HBO series Game of Thrones, providing the voice to the title character on the animated series Major Lazer, Dave Duerson in the NFL biopic drama Concussion, and Killer...
NationalityBritish
ProfessionMovie Actor
Date of Birth22 August 1967
I wanted to wash off the experience of Africa but obviously I couldn't because that's who I was.
The only way you can influence your fate is to put your soul into your performance and hope it registers with the audience.
My father was a lorry driver, very rarely at home. The house was run by my mother, and because there were 10 or so kids, there was no time for individual attention. It was about survival. It was about where the next meal was coming from.
I've played different nationalities, and everything from vulnerable to strong to crooked to demented. It just increases your possibilities of work because, if people know you can do just about anything, then you're going to get more offers. That's what I want to do.
Also, I'd like to play an athlete again, while I'm still physically fit, or a musician, like Nat King Cole, because I play the trumpet and sing. I'd like to incorporate that into a character.
You really have to act your pants off to stay alive. I thrive on that; I rise to the occasion of the circumstances.
What is a shame is that there isn't stuff that is as great as 'Oz' on a consistent level around today.
The only way I know how to deliver is to focus; some people can turn it on or off - I'd rather stay in character.
The axe is fifteen pounds. You have to make sure you don't hurt or hit someone. And hit the beats, because they have five cameras. It has to look real. That in itself becomes challenging because you have to learn it straight away.
Personally, I love Toronto.
I've never been really great at trusting anybody, just because of the way I grew up.
I think always as an actor. I go in knowing how I'm going to play it. That's about it.
I'm of Nigerian descent, from the Yoruba tribe. Names are very significant in that culture. It basically states your purpose in life.
I just want to keep the diversity and the options open. In terms of what I'm looking for, I'd like to do a lead action role.