Bio
Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje is a British actor, solicitor and former male fashion model best known for his television roles as criminal Simon Adebisi in the prison drama Oz (1997-2000), as well as Mr. Eko on Lost, from 2005-2006.
He also had a starring role as Alan "Deacon" Crane, the ultimate team player who rose steadily up the Byzantium ranks to the position of team leader having trained as an ace sniper with the US Navy, in the mystery spy thriller television series Hunted, in 2012.
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. 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.
He holds a Master of Laws from Kings College, the University of London.
He has numerous film credits since he began acting in 1994 and has appeared in many top movies, including the first ever completely CGI animated Dr. Seuss film Horton Hears a Who.
Other films he has appeared in include Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls (1995), Congo (1995), The Mummy Returns (2001), The Bourne Identity (2002), and Get Rich or Die Tryin' (2005).
He was arrested in Honolulu, Hawaii on September 2, 2006 for disobeying a police officer and operating a motor vehicle without a licence. He was released later that morning on $500 bail, after spending six hours in jail. On September 26, 2006 he was cleared of all charges after providing proof that he had a licence.
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".
His other credits include Killer Elite, The Thing, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, The Bourne Identity, Best Laid Plans, Unstoppable and The Mummy Returns.
He portrayed the warlord Tahir on the Cinemax series Strike Back.