Actor Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (“Oz,” “Lost,” “Euphoria”) shares how his difficult childhood shaped him into the actor, writer, and director he is today. He also opens up about how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo helped him cultivate deep happiness and create meaning from his challenging childhood.
Cheat Sheet
01:50 Adewale’s way of life 05:28
Being “farmed” out to a white working-class family
12:53 Adewale didn’t see himself in religions
16:02 The first time someone listened
22:50 A deep depression at the peak of success
27:32 The book that changed his life
33:37 Creating value with his directorial debut “Farming”
41:00 Some things can’t be taught in acting school
45:56 The immense potential of one person’s life
52:47 Going to dark places to play Alamo Brown on “Euphoria”
57:42 Adewale’s chanting routine
01:01:53 Being a “heartist”