Oladayo A. "Dayo" Okeniyi (born June 14, 1988) is a Nigerian American actor, popularly known for playing the role of Thresh in The Hunger Games and Danny Dyson in Terminator Genisys. He portrays Michael Loman on the NBC drama Shades of Blue.
Life and career[]
Raised in Lagos, Nigeria, Okeniyi began acting in theater at his elementary school before the family moved to the United States in 2003. His father, now a retired customs officer, and mother, a British literature teacher from Kenya, were adamant that their children receive an education in America. Okeniyi attended high school in Indiana, followed by college at Anderson University, where he received his bachelor's degree in visual communications design.
Okeniyi recently had a role in the tentpole Terminator: Genisys. opposite Jason Clarke, Emilia Clarke and Jai Courtney. Okeniyi is also featured in the 2016 independent film Good Kids.
Okeniyi had his screen debut opposite Jennifer Lawrence in the wildly popular The Hunger Games film, where he played Thresh, an intimidating and strong tribute from District 11.
He also had supporting roles in Endless Love, opposite Alex Pettyfer; Sundance Film Festival hit The Spectacular Now, opposite Shailene Woodley and Miles Teller; Runner Runner, opposite Ben Affleck and Justin Timberlake; and the SXSW indie "Cavemen," opposite Skylar Astin.
In 2014, Okeniyi was featured in Vanity Fair's New Wave portfolio and was named one of the 30 Important Actors Under 30 by the Los Angeles Times.