Deyemi Okanlawon

Deyemi Okanlawon (born 19 April 1981 in Lagos, Nigeria) is a Nigerian film, television, theatre, and voice actor.[1] He is widely recognized as one of the most dynamic talents in the Nigerian film industry, earning the distinction of being the highest-grossing Nollywood actor of 2020 and 2021, according to the Film One Box Office report. Deyemi is best known for his roles in Netflix Originals, including King of Boys: The Return of the King (2021), Blood Sisters (2022), Elesin Oba: The King's Horseman (2022), and Lisabi: The Uprising (2024), as well as major blockbusters like Omo Ghetto: The Saga (2020), Prophetess (2021), and All's Fair in Love (2024). Born in Lagos, Deyemi Okanlawon is the son of Adeyemi Okanlawon, an aircraft engineer, and Adeyinka Okanlawon, a baker and entrepreneur. He began his education at Taikenny Nursery and Primary School and later attended the International School, Lagos. He also obtained a degree in Chemical engineering from the University of Lagos. Additionally, he earned a Certificate in Acting for Film from the Delyork Creative Academy. Okanlawon's journey into acting began at the tender age of five when he starred in a school play. By the age of nine, he had already appeared in a nationally syndicated television commercial alongside industry veterans Kunle Bamtefa and Sola Sobowale. While studying at the University of Lagos, he became an active participant in drama groups. After graduation, he worked as a sales and marketing executive in industries like FMCG.