Babou Ceesay has been captivating audiences with his undeniable talent since his on-screen debut nearly 15 years ago. The London-based actor has gained international fame for his work in films like Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Half of a Yellow Sun, as well as numerous TV roles, including a main role in the Showtime series, We Hunt Together. No matter the role, Babou’s performances are always memorable. Here are 10 intriguing facts about Babou Ceesay that you might not know.
1. A Background in Microbiology
While many actors know from an early age that acting is their calling, Babou’s journey to the profession was far from straightforward. Before pursuing acting, he studied microbiology at Imperial College London, setting him on a completely different career path.
2. A Childhood Love for Movies
Although acting wasn’t initially on Babou’s radar, he has always felt a connection to movies. Growing up, he spent countless hours watching a wide variety of films, with a particular interest in Bollywood movies. He was also a fan of the classic 1976 film, Rocky.
3. Voice Acting Origins
Babou’s on-screen work has earned him the most recognition throughout his career, but his first role was actually in voice acting. In an interview with Interview Magazine, he recalled his first paid role after drama school: voicing an educational character at a small radio studio in Oxford. He was paid £125 for a day’s work, which he considered quite good at the time.
4. From Accountant to Actor
Before diving into acting, Babou worked as an accountant. Despite the drastic career change, he knew he had to follow his heart and pursue his passion for acting.
5. Social Media Elusiveness
Despite his growing fan base around the world, Babou doesn’t appear to be active on social media. No official accounts associated with the actor could be found.
6. A BAFTA Nomination
In the British entertainment industry, a BAFTA Award is one of the highest honors an actor can achieve. In 2017, Babou was nominated for a BAFTA Award for Best Actor for his role in the film Our Loved Boy. The award ultimately went to Adeel Akhtar for his role in Murdered By My Father.
7. Advocating for Child Star Protection
Although Babou didn’t begin his acting career as a child, he has been a strong advocate for the protection of young actors. He has spoken out about the need for channels to be in place to protect vulnerable child stars from abuse in the industry.
8. A Life-Changing Theater Role
While many on-screen actors find their big break in another on-screen role, Babou’s experience was different. He credits a theater role in a production of The Overwhelming as the turning point in his career. After his performance in the show, he was signed by an agent.
9. West African Roots
Babou was born in the United Kingdom but spent most of his childhood in West Africa. His family left England when he was just a year old and moved to Gambia, where they lived for the next five years. After leaving Gambia, they moved to Togo before eventually returning to England.
10. Oxford School of Drama Alumnus
Once Babou decided to get serious about acting, he knew that formal training was essential. He studied acting at the prestigious Oxford School of Drama, joining a long list of notable alumni, including Claire Foy, Imogen Slaughter, and Nell Hudson.
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