Nollywood actor Deyemi Okanlawon has opened up about his decision to leave acting in 2019, citing poor pay and a lack of fulfilment as the primary reasons for his departure. He returned to a corporate job before being persuaded to re-enter the industry in 2021 by some of Nigeria's top filmmakers.
Deyemi Okanlawon's Reasons for Leaving Acting
During an interview on the CreativiTea podcast, aired on YouTube on June 24, Deyemi explained that the acting work no longer satisfied him. "I quit because the pay was nonsense. The work was nonsense. And I just felt like I didn't leave 9-5 to come out and do mediocre work. So, it was difficult to wake up in the morning and go to work. And what's the point of being passionate about something and then not being fulfilled by it. So, I quit and I went back to a 9-5 job," he said.
After leaving acting, Deyemi brushed up his resume and secured a position at Silverbird Film Distribution as head of marketing. He was later promoted to head the Nollywood distribution desk and eventually became the acting CEO when the CEO relocated during the COVID-19 pandemic. He remained in that role for two years.
The Call That Brought Him Back
During the COVID period, when cinemas were closed, Deyemi still took on some acting gigs. It was during this time that he began receiving calls from prominent filmmakers he had long wanted to work with. "Mo Abudu called, Kemi Adetiba called, Jade Osiberu called, Kunle Afolayan called, Funke Akindele called. All the people that I wanted to work with but they never called me, now started calling me after I quit acting," he recounted.
Initially, Deyemi refused to return to acting full-time. However, he later decided to leave his corporate role because his vision for the business at Silverbird diverged from the company's direction. He concluded that it made more sense to return to acting, the field he felt he was built for. "Okay, fine. It makes more sense for me to leave there and go back to the place I'm built for (acting). So, I quit acting in 2019. Then I got back into acting 2021," he said.
Return to Nollywood and Career Growth
Deyemi returned to acting in 2021 with a better understanding of the industry, which helped shape the next phase of his career and placed him among the best in Nollywood. He credits the calls from top filmmakers and his corporate experience for his renewed approach to the craft.
In a previous report, Deyemi also spoke about how he manages emotional pressure with the help of his wife, relying on a network of therapists, mentors, and close friends to avoid dangerous isolation. He views himself as a natural protector who is always ready to shield his family from trouble.
