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 | 182 cm (6 ft 0 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 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]
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 appeared in the film Fresh, which screened at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival.[11]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 2024 | Iwájú | Tunde Martins (voice) | Main role, 6 episodes |
| 2024 | 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
External links
- Dayo Okeniyi on X
- Dayo Okeniyi at IMDb
