Tony Okungbowa
Tony Okungbowa (born c. 1967/1968)[1] is an English-American actor, film producer, and DJ. He was the resident DJ for The Ellen DeGeneres Show from 2003–2006 and again from 2008–2013 when he was replaced by Stephen "tWitch" Boss. He returned as a guest on April 28, 2014. Since 2019, Okungowa plays Kofo in the CBS sitcom Bob Hearts Abishola.
Tony Okungbowa | |
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Born | c. 1967/1968 (age 52–53) |
Other names | Tony Okungbowa, DJ Tony O. |
Occupation | Actor, film producer, DJ |
Years active | 1994–present |
Early life
Okungbowa is of Nigerian descent and was raised in Nigeria and London.[2] He has a degree in drama from Middlesex University in London.[3] He relocated to the United States in 1992, when he came to do post-graduate work at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York City, later moving to Los Angeles in 1998.[1][3]
Career
The Ellen DeGeneres Show features a DJ to provide musical accompaniment, a role Okungbowa began in 2003 to the end of season three of the show in 2006, when he left to further his acting career.[4] He was replaced at the beginning of season four by Jon Abrahams. He returned in 2007 for occasional substitute appearances, and returned to DJ full-time for the sixth season which began September 8, 2008. Okungbowa also DJ'd the 2004 Grammy Awards.
His acting roles include guest spots on The X-Files, NYPD Blue, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and NCIS: Los Angeles in 2014.
He was executive producer of and acted in the film Restless City which had its debut at the Sundance Film Festival in 2011.[5]
As of at least January 7, 2013, Okungbowa had become a naturalized citizen of the United States.[6]
Filmography
Film | |||
---|---|---|---|
Year | Film | Role | Notes |
2002 | The Wild Thornberrys Movie | Ranger | Voice |
2003 | Gate to Heaven | Amadou | |
2008 | Miracle of Phil | Seth | |
2009 | The One Last Time | Scarecow | |
2011 | Restless City | Bekay | |
CIS: Las Gidi | The Tax Man | ||
2013 | Mother of George | Biyi | |
2014 | Echo Park | Alex | |
Television | |||
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
1994 | The Punk | Punk Friend #2 | 1 episode |
1999 | The X-Files | Barnes' Driver | 1 episode |
2000 | Arli$$ | Homeless Joe | 1 episode |
2001 | NYPD Blue | Tristan L. Gibbs | 1 episode |
2001-10 | The Bold and the Beautiful | Diver/Dempsey | 6 episodes |
2003–06; 2008–13 | The Ellen DeGeneres Show | Himself/DJ | 1,672 Episode |
2008 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Dr. Bakari | 1 episode |
2014 | NCIS Los Angeles | Bakari Deng | 1 episode (S5 Episode 23) |
2015 | Kids Say the Darndest Things Nigeria | Himself/Host | 2 episode |
2017 | Ballers | Dr. Dester | 1 episode |
2017 | Ray Donovan | Bolaji | 1 episodes |
2019–present | Bob Hearts Abishola | Kofo | Recurring role |
Discography
Mixed compilations
- 2005: Hollywood Sessions, Vol. 1
- 2009: Total Dance 2009
- 2012: "A Night to Remember"
References
- King, Susan (January 8, 2006). "Putting his spin on TV talk". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 5, 2020.
Age: 38
(subscription required) - "Biography: Anthony Okungbowa", TV.com.
- "Actor / DJ". Tony Okungbowa official website. Archived from the original on February 4, 2013..
- Kugel, Allison (June 1, 2006). "Tony Okungbowa: Resident Deejay on The Ellen DeGeneres Show Blazes His Own Trail in Hollywood" (Press release). Tony Okungbowa. Archived from the original on February 2, 2017 – via PR.com.
- Anderson, John (February 1, 2011). "Review: 'Restless City'". Variety.
- Tony is an American Citizen!. The Ellen DeGeneres Show. January 7, 2013. Retrieved 2019-02-03 – via YouTube.
External links
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