Award-winning Nollywood actor Lateef Adedimeji has opened up about his journey in the movie industry, revealing how he deliberately worked to establish his own identity after being constantly compared to fellow actor Odunlade Adekola.
Speaking during an appearance on the Morayo Show, Adedimeji said that when he first entered the Yoruba movie industry, many people referred to him as the actor who looked like Odunlade. Determined to stand out, he decided to develop a unique style that would make audiences remember him for something different.
According to the actor, his emotional performances eventually earned him widespread recognition, with many fans nicknaming him “the crying machine.”
“At some point, people started calling me the crying machine. Some people did not even know my name, but they knew me as the actor who cries a lot in movies,” he said.
“When I came into the industry, people always described me as the actor who looked like Odunlade. I wanted to be known for something distinct, and that was how my emotional roles became part of my identity.”
Adedimeji also spoke about his popular comedy character, Iya Peju, explaining that the role was born during the COVID-19 lockdown. He admitted that he initially created the character for fun and did not expect it to gain massive attention.
“The Iya Peju character started during the lockdown. At first, I did not take it seriously, but people kept asking for more, and it gradually became something bigger,” he said.
Reflecting on his career growth after recently receiving an Icon Award at the Africa Illustration Awards, the actor said his ambition from the beginning was to create a lasting name for himself through creativity and hard work.
He noted that the recognition is particularly meaningful because he once looked up to industry icons and now finds himself being celebrated among them.
The actor has continued to enjoy a successful run in the industry. At the 12th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), his historical epic Lisabi won the awards for Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa) and Best Makeup.
While receiving one of the awards, he dedicated the achievement to his wife, acknowledging her support and describing her as a major part of his success story.
Adedimeji also reflected on some of the challenges he faced before attaining stardom. He recalled how actress Yewande Adekoya stood by him when others questioned her decision to cast him in a role early in his career.
He further revealed that there were moments when he considered quitting acting after a personal production project failed.
However, he remained committed to his dream, taking on unpaid roles and continuing to work hard until opportunities eventually came his way.
The actor also recounted advice he received from the man who introduced him to the Yoruba movie industry. According to Adedimeji, the mentor predicted that he would fail within a year. Rather than being discouraged, he challenged the prediction and asked to be given two years to prove himself.
Today, Adedimeji is regarded as one of Nollywood’s leading actors, with his story serving as a testament to perseverance, self-belief and the determination to carve out a unique path in a highly competitive industry.
