I derive joy from comic roles– Adeniyi Adewunmi

Adeniyi Johnson Adewumi, actor, comedian and compere says he derives pleasure in what he likes doing and believes that his best is yet to come in showbiz. Adeniyi who hails from Akoko Local Government Area of Ondo State hopes to be like his role models because of their skills. In a chat with Daily Sun, Adeniyi spoke on his foray into acting, inspiration, future plan among others.

Educational background
My name is Adeniyi Johnson Adewumi, I bagged the Ordinary National Diploma (OND) from Ibadan Polytechnic and majored in Television and Radio Broadcasting. I hail from Akoko North East Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Coming into acting
I was fascinated by the lifestyles of artistes and I made up my mind to become an actor. Other times, I would pick up film jackets and look at the email addresses of film producers and I usually sent them mails but they never replied my mails. As the discussion went on, I asked one of them where these artistes usually meet, and he told him the location. I went there for rehearsals but was not successful. Some months later, I met a man who had a film academy and he taught me some rudiments of acting. Eventually I got my first role in 2006 in Super Story entitled Behind The Smiles. From then on, I started featuring in various soap opera such as Teacher O Teacher, Dangerous Acts, Family Ties, Images, Eldorado, among others.

Role model
My role models are Richard Mofe Damijo (RMD) and Desmond Elliot. I love their acting skills and the interpretation of roles in movies and I hope to be like them. In comedy, my role model is Julius Agwu and Basket Mouth because they are both original and their jokes flow from within. They are noted for keeping the audience glued to their seats when listening to their jokes.

Aside acting
I am a model, comedian and a compere. I derive pleasure from doing all these together and I plan my time so well that one does not affect the other.

Embarrassing moments
I was once on set and I wasn't able to deliver a particular line very well. I lost my lines and people looked down on me. After that time, I returned to read the lines very well and when I was called upon to act the scene, I put in my best and did it well. On another day, I was on stage and someone from the audience asked if I was done, and I was embarrassed and I concentrated my jokes on him and the audience enjoyed it.

Happiest moment
My happiest moment was the day my name was announced that I was successful in an audition by PEFTI. The audition was for male actors and we were up to 500. I was intimidated when I saw the calibre of actors at the audition. When my name was eventually announced, I looked back to see if there was another Adeniyi Johnson in attendance. The man called my name the second time before it dawned on me that I was the person. I shouted for joy and I was very happy.

Pirating jokes
Piracy is found everywhere. It would be encouraging for people to come up with their own jokes rather than copy other comedians. When on stage, some jokes usually come into my mind and they always thrill the audience. I develop other people's joke and put it in my own creativity.

Inspiration
My main inspiration comes from God. The environment is another source of inspiration for me. I listen to what people say or do around me and I would redefine what they have said and use them in my jokes.

Places performed
I have performed at Lagos State University, Adeniran College of Education, University of Lagos, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech) as well as in various church programmes.

Future plan
I hope to influence people positively with what I do. I want to become a popular actor and I want to help younger people achieve their heart desires.