Wale Akorede, 50, better known by his stage name Okunnu, has been in the film industry for over two decades, but he will never forget the day he received his first pay as an actor.
He told Saturday Beat that the day he was paid 60 kobo for a movie role, he was so happy that he almost went insane. The money he was paid inspired the comic actor to focus more on his art and put in more effort to be the greatest on the job, he told Saturday Beat.
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“The first time I was paid for acting was in 1984, when I received 60 kobo. I almost went insane when I got the money. “I was very impressed and encouraged to do the job,” he added. “I currently earn well for the majority of the roles I play.”
“God is the one who strengthens me; I don’t eat much but I take multivitamins to take care of myself,” he stated of what makes him look younger than his age.
Okunnu is recognized for his comedic roles in Yoruba films, but the veteran claims that despite this, he does not feel constrained by such roles.
“I don’t feel stereotyped by playing such roles because I can still take up any role. I have played all sorts of roles in movies. But the funny thing is that even when I do serious roles, people still laugh because of the stereotype,” he said with a smile.
Okunnu also shared with Saturday Beat the reason why he would never stop acting. According to him, acting runs through his veins, and despite the challenges of life, he can never feel downcast.
“I am always happy; I don’t allow challenges to weigh me down. I loved acting as a child but my parents were not in support of it. I started full-time acting after my father died. I even ran away from home several times because I wanted to be on location. My mother gave me her full support when she started seeing me on screen.
“I used to be a proper businessman before, but acting runs through my veins. The field of business is a playground for me but there is no other profession I would rather do than this. Acting is my destiny,” he told Saturday Beats.