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Dayo Okeniyi

Dayo Okeniyi
Born
Oladayo A. Okeniyi

(1988-06-14) June 14, 1988 (age 36)
Jos, Nigeria
OccupationActor
Years active2010–present
Height174 cm (5 ft 9 in)

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]

Early life and education

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Dayo was born in Jos and grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, and has four siblings.[6] His father is a retired customs officer from Ogbomosho, Oyo State, 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]

Career

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Before being cast in The Hunger Games Okeniyi worked in local theatre and in film shorts.[9] In 2014, Okeniyi starred in the drama film Endless Love. He portrayed Danny Dyson in the 2015 film Terminator Genisys.[10] He starred in the NBC series Shades of Blue. He appeared in the film Fresh, which screened at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival.[11]

Filmography

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Film

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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 Comedy / Drama
2020 Emperor Shields Green Drama
Run Sweetheart Run Trey
2021 Queenpins Earl Comedy / Crime
2022 Fresh Paul Thriller
Rise Charles Antetokounmpo Alongside Uche Agada, Yetide Badaki
2023 Hypnotic River Directed by Robert Rodriguez

Television

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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
2024 Iwájú Tunde Martins (voice) Main role, 6 episodes
2024 Dark Matter Leighton Main role

Awards

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Won

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Nominated

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References

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  1. ^ "EXCLUSIVES - Dayo Okeniyi". REDTV. 12 May 2017. Archived from the original on 3 April 2022. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Five Questions with Hollywood Rookie Dayo Okeniyi on 'The Hunger Games'". Essence. 2012-03-21. Archived from the original on 2018-06-15. Retrieved 2012-04-21.
  3. ^ "Dayo Okeniyi, Biography". mobile.ghanaweb.com. Archived from the original on 2023-03-25. Retrieved 2022-03-13.
  4. ^ "Dayo Okeniyi Archive - HG Girl On Fire". Archived from the original on 2012-05-08. Retrieved 2012-04-21.
  5. ^ Silver, Marc (January 9, 2016). "Dayo Okeniyi Is Probably The First Nigerian Actor To Be Shot By J-Lo". NPR. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  6. ^ "Dayo Okeniyi - IMDb". IMDb. Archived from the original on 2023-03-25. Retrieved 2018-06-30.
  7. ^ "Dayo Okeniyi - Biography". IMDb. Archived from the original on 2017-01-17. Retrieved 2018-06-30.
  8. ^ Miller, Jenni (March 23, 2012). "Next Factor: The Hunger Games' Star Dayo Okeniyi". NextMovie.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved April 21, 2012.
  9. ^ "Dayo Okeniyi Plays 'The Hunger Games' As This Week's Hump Day Hottie". Archived from the original on 2015-09-20. Retrieved 2012-04-21.
  10. ^ "So How Does Terminator Genisys Relate To The Original Films". Dread Central. 2014. Archived from the original on 2023-03-29. Retrieved 2015-03-26.
  11. ^ "Your Guide to All the Women- and Non-Binary-Helmed Projects at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival – sundance.org". Archived from the original on 2021-12-28. Retrieved 2022-01-09.
  12. ^ Damilare Aiki (September 2, 2013). "2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards: Full List of Winners & Scoop". BellaNaija. Archived from the original on November 1, 2019. Retrieved September 30, 2016.
  13. ^ 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. Archived from the original on March 24, 2021. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
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