Actors from various nationalities abound in Hollywood. You will be quite amazed when you also realize a good number of these film stars have their roots in Yorubaland, South West, Nigeria.
Here is a list of 8 American actors who are originally Yoruba:
ADEPERO ODUYE
Adepero Oduye is an American actress who is also a singer and writer.
Oduye’s breakout role came in 2011 when she starred in Dee Rees’ critically acclaimed and award-winning independent film Pariah, for which she received several awards and a nomination for Best Female Lead at the Independent Spirit Awards.
The following year, she joined an all-star cast in the “Steel Magnolias” television remake as Annelle Dupuy-Desoto, a role originated by Daryl Hannah.
In 2013, Oduye co-starred alongside Chiwetel Ejiofor in Steve McQueen’s historical drama “12 years a slave” and was winner of the 2014 Academy Award for Best Picture.
In 2014, she made her directorial debut with “Breaking in”, a short film about a young black man’s first time being stopped and frisked by the NYPD, based on her brother’s early experience. The film has garnered several film festival acknowledgments and awards.
Born on January 11, 1978 in Brooklyn, New York, Oduye is of Yoruba descent.
DONALD FAISON
Donald Adeosun Faison is an American actor, comedian, and voice actor best known for his leading role as Dr. Chris Turk in the ABC/NBC comedy-drama Scrubs (2001–2010) and a supporting role as Murray in both the film Clueless (1995) and the subsequent television series of the same name. He also starred as Phil Chase in the TV Land sitcom The Exes (2011–2015).
Faison has also co-starred in the films “Waiting to Exhale” (1995); “Remember the Titans” (2000); “Uptown Girls” (2003); “Something New” (2006); “Next Day Air” (2009) and “Kick-Ass 2” (2013) and several other movies.
Although Faison was born on 22 June 1974 in Harlem, New York, United State, he is originally from the Yoruba tribe of Nigeria.
DAYO OKENIYI
Oladayo A. Okeniyi is a Nigerian-American actor popularly known for playing the role of Thresh in “The Hunger Games” and Danny Dyson in “Terminator Genisys.”
Prior to being cast in “The Hunger Games”, Okeniyi worked in local theatre and in film shorts. Okeniyi starred 2014 in the drama film “Endless Love”, also portrayed Danny Dyson in the 2015 film “Terminator Genisys” and starred in the NBC series “Shades of Blue”.
Born on June 14, 1988 in Jos and grew up in Lagos, Nigeria. In 2003, he moved with his family to Indiana, United States and later moved to California. Dayo is Yoruba by tribe.
FOLAKE OLOWOFOYEKU
Folake Olowofoyeku is a Nigerian-American actress and singer.
Olowofoyeku appeared in guest starring roles on television shows that include 30 Rock, How to Get Away with Murder, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Modern Family, Westworld, and White Collar.
Olowofoyeku also starred in the 2017 film, Death Race 2050, as Minerva Jefferson. The film is a sequel to the 1975 cult film, Death Race 2000 and was shot in Lima, Peru
Born on October 26, 1983, Folake is of the Yoruba tribe.
GBENGA AKINNAGBE
Olugbenga Enitan Temitope Akinnagbe is an America actor and writer best known for his roles as Chris Partlow on the HBO series “The Wire” and as Larry Brown on the HBO series “The Deuce.”
He starred in leading roles in two independent films as Jack in “Home”, directed by Jono Oliver and as James in “Big Words”, directed by Neil Drumming.
Akinnagbe made a guest appearance on a season 10 “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” episode entitled “Hell” as Elijah Okello, a former Ugandan child soldier living in New York, facing deportation
Born on December 12, 1978 in Washington, he is also Yoruba.
OLAMIDE FAISON
Olamidé Aladejobi Patrick Alexander Faison is an American actor and singer. Olamidé is the youngest brother of Donald Faison.
He came to limelight after playing Miles Robinson on the children’s television show “Sesame Street” making history as the third to play the role after Miles Orman and Imani Patterson.
Born on July 21, 1983 in New York City, Olamide Faison is Yoruba.
RICK FAMUYIWA
Rick Famuyiwa is a Nigerian-American director, producer and screenwriter of productions including The Wood (1999), Brown Sugar (2002), Talk to Me (2007), Dope (2015) and Confirmation (2016).
Famuyiwa’s first feature film, “The Wood” is a semi-autobiographical account of his upbringing in Inglewood. Born on June 18, 1973, Rick is originally from the Yoruba tribe.
ROTIMI AKINOSHO
Rotimi Akinosho is an American actor, singer, and model. At his first trial with acting, Rotimi auditioned and subsequently got his first acting role on “Boss” as a drug dealer, Darius Morrison.
He also appeared in three episodes of ABC’s “Betrayal.”
Rotimi made his silver screen debut in the film Black Nativity (2013). He next appeared in the high grossing film, Divergent (2014).
Born on 30 November 1988 in Maplewood, New Jersey; Rotimi is of Yoruba descent.
Here is a list of 8 American actors who are originally Yoruba:
ADEPERO ODUYE
Adepero Oduye is an American actress who is also a singer and writer.
Oduye’s breakout role came in 2011 when she starred in Dee Rees’ critically acclaimed and award-winning independent film Pariah, for which she received several awards and a nomination for Best Female Lead at the Independent Spirit Awards.
The following year, she joined an all-star cast in the “Steel Magnolias” television remake as Annelle Dupuy-Desoto, a role originated by Daryl Hannah.
In 2013, Oduye co-starred alongside Chiwetel Ejiofor in Steve McQueen’s historical drama “12 years a slave” and was winner of the 2014 Academy Award for Best Picture.
In 2014, she made her directorial debut with “Breaking in”, a short film about a young black man’s first time being stopped and frisked by the NYPD, based on her brother’s early experience. The film has garnered several film festival acknowledgments and awards.
Born on January 11, 1978 in Brooklyn, New York, Oduye is of Yoruba descent.
DONALD FAISON
Donald Adeosun Faison is an American actor, comedian, and voice actor best known for his leading role as Dr. Chris Turk in the ABC/NBC comedy-drama Scrubs (2001–2010) and a supporting role as Murray in both the film Clueless (1995) and the subsequent television series of the same name. He also starred as Phil Chase in the TV Land sitcom The Exes (2011–2015).
Faison has also co-starred in the films “Waiting to Exhale” (1995); “Remember the Titans” (2000); “Uptown Girls” (2003); “Something New” (2006); “Next Day Air” (2009) and “Kick-Ass 2” (2013) and several other movies.
Although Faison was born on 22 June 1974 in Harlem, New York, United State, he is originally from the Yoruba tribe of Nigeria.
DAYO OKENIYI
Oladayo A. Okeniyi is a Nigerian-American actor popularly known for playing the role of Thresh in “The Hunger Games” and Danny Dyson in “Terminator Genisys.”
Prior to being cast in “The Hunger Games”, Okeniyi worked in local theatre and in film shorts. Okeniyi starred 2014 in the drama film “Endless Love”, also portrayed Danny Dyson in the 2015 film “Terminator Genisys” and starred in the NBC series “Shades of Blue”.
Born on June 14, 1988 in Jos and grew up in Lagos, Nigeria. In 2003, he moved with his family to Indiana, United States and later moved to California. Dayo is Yoruba by tribe.
FOLAKE OLOWOFOYEKU
Folake Olowofoyeku is a Nigerian-American actress and singer.
Olowofoyeku appeared in guest starring roles on television shows that include 30 Rock, How to Get Away with Murder, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Modern Family, Westworld, and White Collar.
Olowofoyeku also starred in the 2017 film, Death Race 2050, as Minerva Jefferson. The film is a sequel to the 1975 cult film, Death Race 2000 and was shot in Lima, Peru
Born on October 26, 1983, Folake is of the Yoruba tribe.
GBENGA AKINNAGBE
Olugbenga Enitan Temitope Akinnagbe is an America actor and writer best known for his roles as Chris Partlow on the HBO series “The Wire” and as Larry Brown on the HBO series “The Deuce.”
He starred in leading roles in two independent films as Jack in “Home”, directed by Jono Oliver and as James in “Big Words”, directed by Neil Drumming.
Akinnagbe made a guest appearance on a season 10 “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” episode entitled “Hell” as Elijah Okello, a former Ugandan child soldier living in New York, facing deportation
Born on December 12, 1978 in Washington, he is also Yoruba.
OLAMIDE FAISON
Olamidé Aladejobi Patrick Alexander Faison is an American actor and singer. Olamidé is the youngest brother of Donald Faison.
He came to limelight after playing Miles Robinson on the children’s television show “Sesame Street” making history as the third to play the role after Miles Orman and Imani Patterson.
Born on July 21, 1983 in New York City, Olamide Faison is Yoruba.
RICK FAMUYIWA
Rick Famuyiwa is a Nigerian-American director, producer and screenwriter of productions including The Wood (1999), Brown Sugar (2002), Talk to Me (2007), Dope (2015) and Confirmation (2016).
Famuyiwa’s first feature film, “The Wood” is a semi-autobiographical account of his upbringing in Inglewood. Born on June 18, 1973, Rick is originally from the Yoruba tribe.
ROTIMI AKINOSHO
Rotimi Akinosho is an American actor, singer, and model. At his first trial with acting, Rotimi auditioned and subsequently got his first acting role on “Boss” as a drug dealer, Darius Morrison.
He also appeared in three episodes of ABC’s “Betrayal.”
Rotimi made his silver screen debut in the film Black Nativity (2013). He next appeared in the high grossing film, Divergent (2014).
Born on 30 November 1988 in Maplewood, New Jersey; Rotimi is of Yoruba descent.
