Even when not saying a word, this London-born actor is a commanding screen presence. Raised in both England and his parents' homeland of Nigeria, the stunning Akinnuoye-Agbaje worked as a model while completing his law degree at King's College London. In the mid-'90s he embarked on an acting career, appearing in music videos and essaying small roles in 1995's
Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and
Congo, in which he played Ernie Hudson's African guide. Two years later, Akinnuoye-Agbaje landed his breakthrough role, this time as Hudson's nemesis, on the gritty HBO prison drama
Oz. As the murderous drug dealer Adebisi, he instilled fear and fidelity in his fellow inmates with his dark, unwavering stare. After he left the show in 2000, he became a formidable big-screen bad guy, landing villainous roles in action flicks such as
The Mummy Returns and
Get Rich or Die Tryin'. But he made his biggest splash when he returned to TV as the mysterious (and initially mute) Mr. Eko on the second season of
Lost. His run on the show was short-lived, however, and his character was killed off within a year. Although rumors circulated that Akinnuoye-Agbaje had been difficult to work with, the show's creators insisted that his quick exit had been planned since the day he was cast.
Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje Fast Facts:
- Appeared in the music videos for EnVogue's "Giving Him Something He Can Feel" and Mary J. Blige's "Love No Limit."
- Nominated for NAACP Image Awards in the Best Supporting Actor/Drama Series category for his role in HBO's Oz in 1997 and 2000.
- The meaning of his name: "ade" (crown); "wale" (to come home); "akin" (warrior); "nuoye" (chief); "agbaje" (wealth, prosperity).
- Came up with his Lost character's name, Mr. Eko, himself ("Eko" comes from "Elekos, Lord of Legos" in Nigeria).
- Nickname is "Triple A."
- College:
- King's College London, London, England (BA and MA in Law)
