Akinnuoye-Agbaje was born in Islington, London, England behind the firestation on Upper Street. His parents are from Nigeria, but moved to London, where he was born. He has four sisters and is fluent in several languages, including English, Italian, Yorùbá (the language of his parents’ ethnic group), and Swahili. He holds a Master of Laws from King’s College London. The meaning of his name is broken down thus: Ade- the crown, wale- has come home, Akin- warrior, nuoye- of chieftaincy, Agbaje prosperity and wealth.
Akinnuoye-Agbaje’s first time on camera was in Dawn Penn’s video for her 1994 hit, “No, No, No (You Don’t Love me)”. Around the same period, he appeared in the video for the Pet Shop Boys‘ hit song “Jealousy” where he played the part of a roguish adulterer.
He is known for portraying the criminal Simon Adebisi in the HBO prison series Oz, and Mr. Eko on ABC’s survivor drama Lost. He has numerous film credits since he began acting in 1994 and has appeared in many top movies, including The Bourne Identity, in which he played a deposed African dictator. He has also stated that he will be directing a movie about his life story.
Akinnuoye-Agbaje is a Buddhist[2] and a fan of Arsenal F.C.
He was arrested in Honolulu, Hawaii on September 2, 2006 for disobeying a police officer and operating a motor vehicle without a license. He was released after six hours[3] on $500 bail.[4] On September 26, 2006 he was cleared of all charges after providing proof that he had a license.
Those who have trouble pronouncing his name often call him “Triple A”, while his family calls him “Wálé”. At school, he was called “Wally Badger”.
He said he spent the entire day in character to try to grasp the intensity of Mr. Eko.
“The only way I know how to deliver [on set] is to focus; some people can turn it on or off — I’d rather stay in character. There was no socializing. I would start two hours before I went to the set and I wouldn’t say any other words other than the ones that I needed to say, that’s just the way I work and I think that intensity comes across in my characters”.
Akinnuoye-Agbaje had asked to be written off Lost, citing a desire to return to London after his parents’ recent passing and to direct a film ther
Actor Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje and Executive Director of the UK Film Council US Claire Chapman pose at the UK Film Council US Post Oscars Brunch on February 23, 2009 at Cecconi’s in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje;Claire Chapman
(Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images North America)
Fashion designer Ozwald Boateng and actor Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje pose at the UK Film Council US Post Oscars Brunch on February 23, 2009 at Cecconi’s in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ozwald Boateng;Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje
(Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images North America)
Actors Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje and Julian Sands pose with Chalire Chapman, excutive director UK Film Council US and Baz Bamigboye, entertainment journalist at the UK Film Council US Post Oscars Brunch on February 23, 2009 at Cecconi’s in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje;Julian Sands;Claire Chapman;Baz Bamigboye
(Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images North America)
Actor Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje poses at the UK Film Council US Post Oscars Brunch on February 23, 2009 at Cecconi’s in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje
(Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images North America)
Actors Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje and Jorge Garica
