When you think of Nigerian actors who’ve paid their dues and built their careers from scratch, Deyemi Okanlawon easily makes the list. Today, he’s a polished, in-demand Nollywood actor with dozens of credits across film, TV and streaming. But behind the fame and suave red carpet photos lies a gritty story of hustle, pivoting and purpose.
In a recent interview with Channels Television, the actor peeled back the curtain on his remarkable journey.
Born with a sharp mind and an expressive spirit, Deyemi first nurtured a love for the arts in secondary school. Though a science student by training, he was secretly falling in love with literature and drama. By the time he got to study Chemical Engineering at university, he was already dipping his toes in campus drama, especially through a Christian fellowship.
But bills had to be paid. And after school, Deyemi did something many wouldn’t expect. The actor revealed he joined his mother’s baking business. For two solid years, he sold bread and cakes at institutions like Babcock University and Yaba College of Technology. In his words:
“My mum said I was so good at it, why not join her? So I did. That taught me marketing for 10 years.”
Despite the cake hustle, Deyemi Okanlawon didn’t let go of his passion. He tried becoming an on-air personality and even reached out to media houses, but never heard back. That rejection ended up redirecting him. He later heard about an audition, took a leap of faith, and landed two roles immediately.
Realizing he had a knack for performance, he upped his game by enrolling at the New York Film Academy, which helped sharpen his skills and boost his confidence. In 2011, he made his feature film debut in ZR-7: The Red House Seven. Soon after, he started landing roles in short films and web series like Blink, Gidi Up, and Knock Knock.
But it was in 2013 that he made the bold decision to quit everything else and pursue acting full-time.
Since then, it’s been a whirlwind of roles. Deyemi has now starred in over 50 productions, including fan favourites like Omo Ghetto: The Saga, Blood Sisters, Elesin Oba: The King’s Horseman, and most recently, Radio Voice (2025).
He’s become a household name known for his versatility, expressive acting, and ability to morph into any character.
