Bayo Akinfemi (; born October 3, 1969) is a Nigerian film and television actor, and film, television, and theatre director. He is best known for portraying Goodwin Aderibigbe Olayiwola, one of the main characters in the CBS sitcom series Bob Hearts Abishola (2019–2024), also directing two of its episodes. He was also nominated twice for the Gemini Award in the best actor category for his roles as Moses, one of the mains characters in the CBC drama miniseries Human Cargo in 2004, and as Suliman Adeen, an episodic secondary character in the CBC crime drama series The Border in 2008. Akinfemi also appeared in the feature films The Tuxedo (2002), and Bulletproof Monk (2003), and in the television series Criminal Minds (2015), Survivor's Remorse (2015), and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2016). He also directed two Nigerian-made films, the 2011 romantic mystery film Paparazzi: Eye in the Dark, and the 2014 drama film Busted Life. Akinfemi is also a theatre director. Originating from Ilesa, Nigeria, he is currently based in Los Angeles in California, United States, and previously lived and worked in Toronto, Canada. Akinfemi is an assistant professor of theatre practice in acting at the USC School of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles.
Biography Bayo Akinfemi was born on October 3, 1969, in Ilesa, Nigeria. He obtained a bachelor's degree in performing arts from the University of Ilorin. In 1998, he moved to Toronto, Canada, to pursuit an acting career. Akinfemi also studied film and television production at the Toronto Film School. He worked as a production assistant, and later, as an assistant director, in numerous film productions in Toronto. Among his first acting roles, he portrayed secondary characters in the 2002 science fiction action comedy film The Tuxedo, and in the 2003 action comedy film Bulletproof Monk. He was also nominated twice for the Gemini Award in the best actor category, for his roles as Moses, one of the mains characters in the CBC drama miniseries Human Cargo in 2004, and as Suliman Adeen, an episodic secondary character in the CBC crime drama series The Border in 2008. Akinfemi also directed numerous plays in theatres in Toronto, including being a regular director at the AfriCan Theatre Ensemble for over a decade.
In the late 2000s, while in his 40s, Akinfemi moved to Los Angeles in California, United States, where he obtained a master's degree in cinema and media studies at the University of Southern California. He had episodic secondary roles in the television series such as Criminal Minds (2015), Survivor's Remorse (2015), and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2016). Akinfemi also directed two Nigerian-made films, the 2011 romantic mystery film Paparazzi: Eye in the Dark, and the 2014 drama film Busted Life. In 2019, he was cast as one of the secondary characters of the CBS American sitcom series Bob Hearts Abishola, Goodwin Aderibigbe Olayiwola, being promoted to the main cast in 2020. In the final 5th season, aired in 2024, his character was reduced to a recurring role. Akinfemi also directed two of its episodes, and worked as a Yoruba and Nigerian culture consultant and dialect coach for Nigerian English and Yoruba.
Akinfemi works as an assistant professor of theatre practice in acting at the USC School of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles. He is also the founder and artistic director of African Theatre Artistes Society (ATARS), a not-for-profit organisation based in Los Angeles, dedicated to providing a platform of artistic expression in the city to performing artists of African descent. In 2022, he directed play Wedlock of the Gods in the Bing Theatre at the USC School of Dramatic Arts, showcasing traditional Nigerian music, culture and folklore.
Personal life He has a wife and two children.
Filmography Films Year Title Role Notes 2002 The Tuxedo CSA SWAT operative Feature film 2003 Bulletproof Monk Shade Feature film 2008 The Barber of Kigali Barber Short film 2010 Champagne James Short film 2011 Paparazzi: Eye in the Dark Pat Feature film; also director 2012 Buried Treasure Geocacher Short film; also second assistant director 2014 Busted Life Feature film; director 2015 Gabriel data-sort-value="Σ" Short film 2016 Rump Short film; director, producer, and screenwriter 2019 Prom Night at the Vagabond Short film; faculty advisor 2022 Season of Expectations Christopher Chavous Short film2024 A Guest in My Country Dembe Odongo Short film Sardinia News reader Short film 2025 Ogun Oru Dr. Oyesanya Short film
Television series Year Title Role Notes 2001 Soul Food Nigerian panel member Episode: "I'm Afraid of Americans" 2003 Blue Murder Dr. Paul Leyton Episode: "Necklace"2004 Human Cargo Moses 3 episodes This Is Wonderland data-sort-value="Σ" Episode no. 102005 Mayday Air traffic controller Episode: "Ocean Landing" Puppets Who Kill Man Episode: "Cuddles the Artist"2008 The Border Suliman Adeen Episode: "Family Values" Friends and Heroes data-sort-value="Σ" Voice; episode: "Gladiator School" M.V.P. Cabbie Episode: "Cover Your Man" Testees Physician Episode: "Herfume" 2009 Crash & Burn Norman Episode: "Sunday, Bloody Sunday" 2011 Love, Hate & Propaganda: The Cold War Himself Documentary series; voice; episode: "Turning Up the Heat" 2014 Newsreaders Interpreter Episode: "The Journey of an iPhone; Restaurant Plague"2015 Criminal Minds Nurse Episode: "The Hunt" Survivor's Remorse Abeo Episode: "Grown-Ass Man" 2016 Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Nathi Zuma Episode: "The Inside Man" 2018 Unofficially: Home Jermaine Episode: "New Beginnings" 2019–2024Bob Hearts Abishola Goodwin Aderibigbe Olayiwola Main role; 79 episodes 2021–2024 Consultant and dialect coach; 42 episodes 2022–2024 Director; 2 episodes 2022 USC Comedy LIVE! Himself Episode aired on April 1, 2022
Video games Year Title Role Notes 2008 Far Cry 2 Additional voices Voice
Accolades and nominations + Award Year Category Nominated work Result Africa Movie Academy Awards 2012 Best Film By An African Living Aboard Paparazzi: Eye in the Dark Gemini Awards 2004 Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series Human Cargo 2008 Best Performance by an Actor in a Guest Role Dramatic Series The Border Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards 2012 Best Film Director in Diaspora Paparazzi: Eye in the Dark Nollywood and African Film Critics Awards 2011 Best Director in the Diaspora Paparazzi: Eye in the Dark Best Film Paparazzi: Eye in the Dark Best Film in the Diaspora Paparazzi: Eye in the Dark 2014 Best Drama Diaspora Film Busted Life
References
External links Bayo Akinfemi at IMDb