Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (pronounced ADD-ay WAHL-ay ACK-id NOY-ay AG-bajay) portrays the role of Mr. Eko.
Background
Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje is the son of Nigerian immigrants to England. He is fluent in several languages, including Italian, Yoruba and Swahili and is a devout Buddhist. He acquired a Master of Law from the University of London.
"Triple A", as he is known to fans, has played almost entirely African characters despite having been born and raised in England. His first major TV role was on the Showtime series Red Shoe Diaries. He later played the violent criminal gang leader Simon Adebisi on the HBO series Oz, on which he co-starred with his Lost castmate, Harold Perrineau. He is also known for roles in movies such as The Bourne Identity (as Nykwana Wombosi), The Mummy Returns, and the 50 Cent film, Get Rich or Die Trying (as Majestic).
After a successful year of integration into the Season 2 cast, Adewele asked to be written off the series after losing both his parents in 2005. [1]
Trivia
- He usually employs a deep, Nigerian timbre while acting, while off-screen he speaks with a slight Cockney accent.
- Has a reputation for being a difficult actor to work with, which he doesn't understand.[source needed]
- On the DVD commentary of Oz Season 1, the show's creator Tom Fontana states that while Adewale would gladly display his penis on screen when not required in the script, he would refuse to do so when the script required it.
- Is a method actor. Also, would turn up on set 2 hours before required, and would stay in character, speaking to no one on set until he left at the end of the day.[2]
- Adewale was involved in the naming of his character. Originally to be called Emeka, Adewale suggested Eko (a name from his native Nigerian tribe) and later convinced the producers to add the Mr. [source needed]
- He revealed he was 'disappointed' when his flashback was revealed to him, feeling it was too much like his previous roles, but this view changed with time.[source needed]
- There is a whiskey by the name of MacCutcheon in Lost. Admiral MacCutcheon is the name of a character in a television remake film of the classic story, 20000 Leagues Under the Sea (by Jules Verne). In this remake, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje plays the character Cabe Attucks.
See also
- There is an interview with Adewale in episode 14 of the Official UK Lost Podcast. The interview was conducted by 'Geeky Tom'.
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