BIOGRAPHY
Born in London, England, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje split his time as a youth between the UK and Nigeria. After earning a Masters from London's prestigious King's College University, a career in acting came his way when acclaimed director Frank Marshall cast him in "Congo." This led to appearances in the films "Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls" and "Legionnaire," the HBO movie "Deadly Voyage," television series "Cracker" and "New York Undercover," as well as the ABC miniseries "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea."

Adewale recently wrapped "Get Rich or Die Tryin'," in which he plays the lead opposite Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson. The film, which will be released this winter, was directed and produced by Oscar nominee Jim Sheridan. He also completed work on the film "Mistress of Spices," a romantic comedy in which he stars opposite Aishwarya Rai. That film was written and directed by Gurinder Chada & Paul Mayeda Berges, part of the creative team behind "Bend It Like Beckham."

Adewale's dramatic portrayal of the murderous drug addicted prisoner Adebisi in the television series "Oz" led to critical and audience acclaim, as well as two NAACP Award nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series and Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. Ever eager to explore new ground, Adewale left "Oz" to focus on his film career and subsequently went on to star in blockbusters opposite Brendan Frasier in "The Mummy Returns" and with Matt Damon in "The Bourne Identity."

His birthday is August 22.

SELECT FILMOGRAPHY

• Get Rich or Die Tryin' (2005)
• Mistress of Spices (2005) as Kwesi
• The Bourne Identity (2002) as Nykwana Wombosi
• The Mummy Returns (2001) as Lock-Nah
• "Oz" (1997-2000) as Simon Adebisi
• Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls (1995) as Hitu
• Congo (1995) as Kahega, Kelly's Guide

SOURCES

• ABC Medianet
• Internet Movie Database