Dayo Okeniyi
Oladayo A. Okeniyi (/ˈdaɪoʊ oʊˈkɛniiː/ ⓘ;[1] born June 14, 1988) is a Nigerian-American actor,[2][3] popularly known for playing the role of Thresh in The Hunger Games[4] and Danny Dyson in Terminator Genisys.[5]
Dayo Okeniyi | |
---|---|
Born | Oladayo A. Okeniyi June 14, 1988 |
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 2010–present |
Height | 175 cm (5 ft 9 in) |
Life and career
Dayo was born in Jos and grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, and has four siblings.[6] His father is a retired customs officer from Nigeria, and his mother is a literature teacher from Kenya.[7] In 2003, he moved with his family to Indiana, United States, from Nigeria and later moved to California.[2] He earned a bachelor's degree in visual communications at Anderson University (Indiana) in 2009.[8]
Prior to being cast in The Hunger Games, Okeniyi worked in local theatre and in film shorts.[9] Okeniyi starred 2014 in the drama film Endless Love, also portrayed Danny Dyson in the 2015 film Terminator Genisys[10] and starred in the NBC series Shades of Blue. Okeniyi is set to appear in the film Fresh, which is scheduled to screen at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival.[11]
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2012 | The Hunger Games | Thresh | |
2013 | The Spectacular Now | Marcus | |
Runner, Runner | Lionel | ||
Cavemen | Andre | ||
2014 | Endless Love | Mace | |
2015 | Terminator Genisys | Danny Dyson | |
2016 | Good Kids | Conch | |
2020 | Emperor | Shields Green | |
Run Sweetheart Run | Trey | ||
2021 | Queenpins | Earl | |
2022 | Fresh | Paul | |
Rise | Charles Antetokounmpo | ||
2023 | Hypnotic | River |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2013 | Revolution | Alec | 1 episode |
2014 | Bones | Jarrick Henry | 1 episode |
2016–2018 | Shades of Blue | Michael Loman | Main role, 36 episodes |
2021 | See | Oloman | 4 episodes |
TBA | Dark Matter | Leighton | Main role, upcoming series |
Awards
Won
- 2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards – Best International Actor[12]
Nominated
- 2021 52nd NAACP Image Awards - Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture[13]
References
- "EXCLUSIVES - Dayo Okeniyi". REDTV. 12 May 2017. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
- "Five Questions with Hollywood Rookie Dayo Okeniyi on 'The Hunger Games'". Essence. 2012-03-21.
- "Dayo Okeniyi, Biography". mobile.ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 2022-03-13.
- "Dayo Okeniyi Archive - HG Girl On Fire". Archived from the original on 2012-05-08. Retrieved 2012-04-21.
- Silver, Marc (January 9, 2016). "Dayo Okeniyi Is Probably The First Nigerian Actor To Be Shot By J-Lo". NPR.
- Dayo Okeniyi - IMDb
- Dayo Okeniyi - Biography
- Miller, Jenni (March 23, 2012). "Next Factor: The Hunger Games' Star Dayo Okeniyi". NextMovie.com.
- Dayo Okeniyi Plays ‘The Hunger Games’ As This Week’s Hump Day Hottie
- "So How Does Terminator Genisys Relate To The Original Films". Dread Central. 2014.
- "Your Guide to All the Women- and Non-Binary-Helmed Projects at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival – sundance.org". Retrieved 2022-01-09.
- Damilare Aiki (September 2, 2013). "2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards: Full List of Winners & Scoop". BellaNaija. Retrieved September 30, 2016.
- Clayton Davis (February 2, 2021). "Viola Davis, Tyler Perry and Regina King Up for Entertainer of the Year at 2021 NAACP Image Awards: Here is the full list of nominees". Variety. Retrieved April 14, 2022.