Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje

Akinnuoye-Agbaje: I'm of Nigerian descent, from the Yoruba tribe. Names are very significant in that culture. It basically states your purpose in life.

Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (on his first scene in Lost): They gave me a stick and said, 'Knock those three guys out.' There's no better way to make an entrance.

Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (referring to his younger castmates on Lost): I kind of feel for the people on the show who are just coming into the business and this is their first gig. They've got a big letdown coming.

Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (on what the hatch means to Mr. Eko in Lost): Salvation. It's sacred. It's the key for him. It's nirvana. It's enlightenment. In Buddhism, we have a term called eagle peak, when you reach the highest life state and enlightenment; everything is revealed to you. That's what the hatch is to Mr. Eko. It's the answer to the mystery of life.

Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (on filming Lost): It's been a very arduous journey. But I also feel that through this experience, I've come of age, as a person, as an actor, and as a character. Interesting is the word. You really have to act your pants off to stay alive. I thrive on that; I rise to the occasion of the circumstances.

Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (on the set of Lost): Well, filming in Hawaii, you know, is a blessing. It's one of the most beautiful places on this planet. It has a very mystic energy which informs you as an actor. You basically don't have to do anything. Just soak it up. So, you know, it's a great location. It is far, you know what I mean? Because you are cut off; but that can actually help you because we shoot in a vacuum.

Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (on what his last name means): Wale means to arrive home. So the crown has arrived home. Akin is warrior or brave man. Nuoye is a brave man of chieftaincy and Agbaje means wealth and prosperity. So when you link that all together...

Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje: The only way you can influence your fate is to put your soul into your performance and hope it registers with the audience.

Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (talking about Lost): I've never been really great at trusting anybody, just because of the way I grew up. I was always led to believe you should take care of yourself, trust in your abilities and you're the author of your own destiny. Coming to this show is the opposite.