Born and raised in London, England, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje began his career as a model in Milan. He graduated with a masters degree in Law from London's prestigious Kings College, before moving to Los Angeles to make the transition to acting. Fluent in several languages, including English, Italian, Yoruba and Swahili, he is best known for his roles in the movies Congo (1995) and The Mummy Returns (2001), and the HBO series Oz (1997).
Due to his tall frame, powerful-looking physique and deep voice, he often plays sinister, imposing characters of criminal or military backgrounds.
Has a masters in Law from the University of London, but took a different career path when bitten by the acting bug.
Is perhaps best known for his role as the cunning, fierce super-criminal Adebisi on
Oz (1997). Another role he is very much associated with is the enigmatic 'Mr. Eko' from
Lost (2004), even though he played that role in only 28 of the series' 117 episodes.
He went from playing
Ernie Hudson's good friend, the guide "Kahega" to Hudson's "Capt. Munro" in
Congo (1995), to playing his enemy, the sociopath "Adebisi" to Hudson's hard-headed "Warden Glynn" in
Oz (1997).
The son of immigrants from Nigeria, he has played almost entirely African characters despite having been born and raised in England. He usually employs a deep, Nigerian timber while acting, while off-screen he has a very British, somewhat Cockney accent.
He is fluent in several languages including Italian, Yoruba, Swahili, and (of course) English. He can "get along" in a few other languages, including French.
He is a Buddhist and admitted that he had to chant more than usual while playing the brutal character of "Majestic" in
Get Rich or Die Tryin' (2005).
Had a successful career as a model in Milan and Paris, before pursuing acting.
The name of his character, "Atticus" in the action adventure film Pompeii is similar to a role he played in the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea TV film, the name of whom was "Cabe Attucks".
The woolly hat he wore as Simon Adebisi in ''Oz (1997-2003)'' was his idea and based on hats he'd seen gang members wear growing up in London.
Appears in both the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the DC Cinematic Universe with roles in Thor: The Dark World and Suicide Squad.
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