Actor Deyemi Okanlawon Explains His Decision to Leave the Acting Profession


(Deyemi Okanlawon. Photo Credit: TMDB)

Nollywood star Deyemi Okanlawon recently opened up about his temporary exit from acting in 2019, citing dissatisfaction with both the roles and financial rewards in the industry at the time.

During an appearance on the CreativiTea podcast, the actor revealed that frustration with subpar projects and inadequate pay drove him to step away from the profession.

Okanlawon shared that transitioning from a stable corporate job to what he described as “mediocre” acting opportunities left him feeling unfulfilled.

He emphasized that passion alone couldn’t sustain him when the work failed to meet his expectations, prompting his return to a traditional 9-to-5 career.

“I walked away from acting in 2019 because the pay and projects were simply not worth it. Leaving a steady job for underwhelming opportunities didn’t make sense,” he admitted.

“If your passion doesn’t bring fulfillment, what’s the point? I had to reassess and return to corporate life for a while.”

Since his hiatus, Okanlawon has made a triumphant comeback, solidifying his status as one of Nollywood’s most sought-after talents in film and television.