Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje

Early Life and Education

Born in Islington, London, to Nigerian Yoruba parents, Akinnuoye-Agbaje was given up for fostering to a white working-class family in Tilbury, Essex, at six weeks old. His foster parents raised numerous African children, including his two sisters. He later experienced a brief and difficult return to Nigeria before being sent back to the UK.

Struggling with racial identity and abuse, he eventually gained respect by standing up to his tormentors. At age 16, he was sent to a boarding school in Surrey, where he focused on academics. He earned a Bachelor's degree from the University of London and a Master's in Law from King's College London. While in university, he began modelling, which launched his entertainment career.

On March 17, 2017, he received an Honorary PhD from the University of London.

Career

Acting

Akinnuoye-Agbaje’s acting debut came in 1995’s Congo. He rose to fame as Simon Adebisi in HBO’s Oz and as Mr. Eko in ABC’s Lost. Other notable roles include: - Lock-Nah in The Mummy Returns - Nykwana Wombosi in The Bourne Identity - Heavy Duty in G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra - Kurse in Thor: The Dark World - Killer Croc in Suicide Squad - Malko in Game of Thrones (Season 5) - Dave Duerson in Concussion - Ogunwe in His Dark Materials

He appeared in several music videos during the late '80s and early '90s and was featured in Grayson Hugh’s “Talk It Over”.

Directing

In 2012, he began developing Farming, based on his own life. The title refers to the practice of Nigerian families sending children to live with white families in the UK. The film stars: - Damson Idris as Enitan (based on Adewale) - Kate Beckinsale as the abusive foster mother - Gugu Mbatha-Raw as his teacher

The film premiered at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival and won the Michael Powell Award for Best British Feature and Best Performance in a British Feature for Idris.

Other Work

In 2021, he narrated an immersive audiovisual tour of the Roman Colosseum for the BARDEUM mobile app.

Personal Life

Akinnuoye-Agbaje lives in Los Angeles. He is a Nichiren Buddhist and a member of the Soka Gakkai International. He supports Arsenal F.C. He requested to leave Lost to return to London following the deaths of his foster parents.

Filmography

Film

Full list available on IMDb

Television