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'Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje' (born August 23 1967) is a British actor, solicitor and former male fashion model. He is 6'2" (188 cm) tall.

Contents

Biography

Early life

Career

Filmography

References

Personal life

External links

Biography

Early life

Akinnuoye-Agbaje was born in Islington, London, England behind the firestation on Upper Street. His parents are from Nigeria, but moved to London, England, 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 Kings College, the University of 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.

Career

He is known for portraying the criminal Simon Adebisi in the HBO prison series ''Oz'', as well as 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 upcoming first ever completely CGI animated Dr. Seuss film ''Horton Hears a Who!'' He has also stated that he will be directing a movie about his life story.^[1]
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 later that morning on $500 bail,^[2] after spending six hours in jail.^[3] 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".

His acting methodology made him seem antisocial and may have been a driving force (according to his interview with the ''New York Post'') in the termination of his character Mr. Eko. However, it has also been reported that Akinnuoye-Agbaje asked to be written off the show after the loss of both his parents.^[4]

Filmography

Year	Movie	Role
1995	''Congo''	Kahega
	''Delta of Venus''	The Clairvoyant
	''	Hitu
1998	''Legionnaire''	Luther
2001	''The Mummy Returns''	Lock-Nah
	''Lip Service''	Sebastion
2002	''The Bourne Identity''	Nykwana Wombosi
2004	''Unstoppable''	Junod
2005	''Mistress of Spices''	Kwesi
	''On the One''	Bull Sharky
	''Get Rich or Die Tryin'''	Majestic
2008	''Horton Hears a Who!''	Town Crier

References

1. http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2006-11-01-eko-lost_x.htm

Personal life

Akinnuoye-Agbaje is a Buddhist.http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/entertainment/entertainment/view_article.php?article_id=30574
2. http://starbulletin.com/2006/09/05/news/story01.html
3. http://www.tmz.com/2006/09/05/mr-eko-from-lost-arrested/
4. http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2006-11-01-eko-lost_x.htm


★ 'Lost' actor arrested for traffic violation Gima, Craig

★ Mr. Eko From "Lost" Arrested TMZ Staff

★ Eko is a Monster Mash William Keck

External links

★

★ Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje interview on the Tavis Smiley show

★ Mr. Eko no pain in the neck-o explains 'difficult' tag at the New York Post