He grew up in Lagos, Paris, Brazil and New York...Speaks fluent portuguese, french. He played the starring role of Kunta Kinte's father, Omoro Kinte, in A&E and History's new critically acclaimed Roots. He had a great working relationship and became friends with director Phillip Noyce on the set of Roots. The miniseries has been seen by over 50 million viewers and counting. He was a high school soccer player in Brazil. He starred with Bill Camp in Yale Repertory Theatre's In A Year With 13 Moons directed by Robert Woodruff. He's a Brazilian Jiujitsu master and he also trained Thai boxing and Boxing for many years. He studied acting in New York City. Also starred in Arena Stage's critically acclaimed production of Lynn Nottage's Pulitzer prize winning play Ruined. He's a 2-time Brazilian jiujitsu master Pan-Am Champion. Lives in New York.