Hakeem Kae- Kazim

Hakeem Kae Kazim is a Nigerian born actor based in the United States of America. He was trained in the UK and came to prominence sharing the stage with acclaimed actors like Brian Cox in ‘King Lear’ and Sir Ian McKellan in “Richard III” for the Royal National Theatre. He made a successful transition to British television with leading roles in “Trial and Retribution”, “The Bill”, “Grange Hill”, “Ellington” and he distinguished himself in the title role of ‘”Julius Caesar” for the BBC.

Hakeem then settled in South Africa where his work in film and television gave him a huge following and made him a household name. It was while in South Africa that Hakeem gained international attention for his role in the Oscar nominated, critically acclaimed “Hotel Rwanda” with Don Cheadle.
Since moving to Los Angeles with his wife and 2 children, Hakeem has shared his talent with millions of viewers on “Lost”, “Pirates of the Caribbean 3″, where he played a pirate lord alongside such greats as Johnny Depp, Keira Knightley and Geoffrey Rush. Also in “Cane” with Jimmy Smits, “Law & Order: SVU” with Mariska Hargitay, “The Triangle” with Sam Neill and “The Librarian” with Gabrielle Anwar.

Hakeem is often recognized for his recurring role as Dubaki on “24’s” Season 7, and in the pre-quell movie “Redemption”. Both are currently being shown in the UK.
He is also in amazing movies like 'X-Men Origins - Wolverine', The Fourth Kind, and has a feature films coming out called 'Darfur'.


Interview with Hakeem

Marion: How was your day yesterday, I learnt that you had to celebrate Halloween?
Hakeem: Yes, Halloween has a significance for us because we came on Halloween Day to the United States four years ago. We got off the plane from South Africa and we came for the first time to the United States as a family so it was an awesome day for us, we went trick or treating and reminisce about that day.

Marion: Was it difficult for your kids to understand what Halloween was all about?
Hakeem: Yea, We had been flying for 24hrs and they were pretty exhausted. It was quite bizarre for them at first; starring from the window of our cab at all the monster costumes and I had to actually explain it to them.

Marion: How many kids do you have?
Hakeem: I have 2 little girls. Ayeesha Adedamola Abike is 10 and Shadha Iyabo is 6

Marion: How did you hear about the Nigerian Celebrity Network?
Hakeem: You guys found me actually and I went into your website and checked it out. It was actually funny because a few of us were actually thinking of starting something similar here in Los Angeles and when we checked online, It was great to find that there was something similar already out there and that there is a positive thinking out there already.

Marion: So do you like the whole concept of the Nigerian Celebrity Network?
Hakeem: Yea, I like the concept. I think that it is very important to portray a more positive image of Nigerians in the Diaspora and perhaps it will send a message to our government back home to improve things back home. We have a beautiful continent and country back home and I think that it is time to appreciate that and stop whipping ourselves up. We need to invest in our beautiful country instead of investing in the West when we have a beautiful continent back home that we should be investing in.

Marion: Am glad that we are on the same page about that.
Hakeem: Yes, you know what’s lovely as well is that there are a lot of us from Nigeria from our generation with this type of positive thinking out here in Hollywood and I think that it is very encouraging.

Marion: So you think that there is hope yet?
Hakeem: I hope there is hope. It is important for there to be hope. We need to start celebrating Nigeria more than just the popular things that we are accused of.

Marion: Am glad that people in Hollywood are thinking in the same light because a lot of people back home do not understand that there are some of us out here that are very concerned and taking the much needed steps to help portray Nigeria in a very positive image by taking a bold stand?
Hakeem: We need a government that can help create opportunities for our people and be a part of that positive image back home.

Marion: I know that you were in South Africa for a while. Can you tell us how your career started?
Hakeem: I was born in Nigeria and my parents moved to London to continue their studies, like a lot of Nigerians did back then and I went to college and attended drama school there to learn acting and after college, I did theatre for 3 or 4 years. My move to South Africa was completely by chance, Mandela had just been elected President and I went to South Africa for a friend’s wedding with the intention of staying for about 2 weeks. I ended up staying for about 3 months just enjoying the country’s new state of democracy and ended up doing a little commercial job and went back to the UK. I was later called to South Africa for another job and I was flown there thinking that I would be there for another two weeks shooting this commercial but surprisingly, the last commercial had been a huge success and when I got off the plane, there was this huge crowd waiting. I was really surprised ‘cos everyone knew this commercial and this started the new relationship with South Africa. I did not leave till about 4 years ago when I came to the United States.

Marion: If you could change one thing about the concept of the “Nigerian Celebrity Network”, what would that be?
Hakeem: Am not sure if I would want to change anything, I think it’s a wonderful idea but the main thing would be to make sure to maintain the prestige of the membership and perhaps include a broader group of people; like Africa.

Marion: We have thought about an African Celebrity Network but that would be too broad and perhaps too difficult to control the quality of membership since it would be somewhat difficult to keep track of all the celebrities that Africa has as a whole.
Hakeem: Exactly, I think Nigeria is a big place and there are many of us anyway so that might probably be difficult to maintain.

Marion:: Regarding the membership, we are doing our best to ensure that the quality is maintained and we do screen new members to make sure that they are who they say they are and that is why we have not reached a thousand membership yet. We do not make it easy for people to join the Network; that’s for sure. We have been criticized by some as being too strict about people joining but we make sure that all of our members are really deserving of that status of membership.
Hakeem: To me, I do not think that you should apologize for maintaining the quality and standard of the membership. Out here, there is A list, B list, D list and so on and for you to be on that A list, you must have done a particular type of thing to be deserving of it. So people should appreciate the standard of excellence which is what you are trying encourage.

Marion: Thank you and we do appreciate people like you, Raz Adoti, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje and others out here stepping up to the plate and being proud to be openly acknowledged as Nigerians despite the “stigma” that is attached to that Name nowadays especially in the Diaspora. But you guys are taking a stand and we are appreciative of you all doing what you do to make Nigeria proud.
Hakeem: Of course, we are Nigerians by birth and we are a very proud, intelligent and forward thinking people.

Marion: Exactly my point. Seeing that you have some experience in the Acting industry, what advice would you give to those actors who are still trying to break into the American Movie industry?
Hakeem: The thing is to work as hard as you can and keep trying to get better and better and do not give up. Associate with people of like minds and you never know what that can lead to.

Marion: Do you agree that being at the right place at the right time might have something to do with success than actually working hard?
Hakeem: It’s a combination actually; opportunity and preparation together will get you far.

Marion: Can you share any odd experiences that you have had as an actor and how that helped make you a better person or a better actor?
Hakeem: Perhaps watching some of the A-lister that I have worked with keeping people at an arm’s length whereas some others respect you as an artist and have a wonderful and impressive humbleness about them.

Marion: Who is the most fascinating actor that you have worked with and why?
Hakeem: Probably Johnny Depp. He’s one of those people who is very down to earth and humble. “Pirates of the Caribbean” was my first major job here in the United States as an actor and I was deeply impressed. I love his ability as an actor to portray all these interesting characters.

Marion: Who would you consider your role model as an actor?
Hakeem: Sidney Portiere would definitely be one without a doubt in so many ways; just his struggle and his ability to maintain his dignity. Johnny Depp would also be one of them.

Marion: Do you act in Nigerian Movies?
Hakeem: Am always interested in doing the right Nollywood movies if the opportunity presents itself but the quality of the film making has to definitely improve

Marion: Which part of Nigeria are you from?
Hakeem: I was born in Lagos but my hometown is Abeokuta

Marion: Do you speak Yoruba?
Hakeem: Not really, am definitely learning it.

Marion: So that definitely rules out the possibility of you acting in Yoruba films.
Hakeem: Yea, for now.

Marion: When was the last time you were in Nigeria?
Hakeem: Last Christmas.

Marion: And before then?
Hakeem: A long time ago; about 15 years.

Marion: So, what was the experience like for you?
Hakeem: Oh, the last time I was in Nigeria, it was a chaos just coming out of the airport was chaotic, Lagos itself was chaos. But this time, things had improved in terms of a level of some order and that began at the airport. People were in orderly line to get their passport stamped and all. It was a very wonderful experience and a wonderful beginning; nothing like it used to be. The Lagos state governor is really trying to make things happen in a really positive way and that is the sort of people we need leading our country.

Marion: You are definitely right as I was opportune to go to Nigeria last December and I was amazed at the changes that had taken place in such a short amount of time and that I was overwhelmed by all the improvement that has been put in place so I am proud of all the Governor’s efforts.
Hakeem: Me too, God bless him and I hope he keeps it up, it makes me proud too; we can do it. We are a very resourceful people and we just need the right leaders in our country that don’t steal our money buying up treasures here and putting the money in a bank there, you know, it’s all common sense stuff and hopefully there’s a new generation of leaders that will make that happen.

Marion: Did you do any media publicity in Nigeria
Hakeem: No, not on this trip. It was the first time of going back after so many years and I went with my family. The next time I will do a little bit of that. I will be going to Nigeria again very soon to do a Jeta Amata movie sometime in November.

Marion: Can you tell us a little about growing up? Did you experience the corporal punishment that our Nigerian parents use as a corrective measure for their kids?
Hakeem: No, I was lucky in that regard, our punishment would be to stand in the corner and put our hands up, and that was the worse but they weren’t physical with us as such?

Marion: Do you think that worked in anyway?
Hakeem: I don’t agree with being physical with children. I have children have never been physical with them but to each their own.

Marion: The “KAE” in your name stands for?
Hakeem: When I was very young, I was called KAE for a while and it kind of stuck

Marion: How is married life?
Hakeem: Hey, married life is great actually, we’ve been married for 10 years now so it’s got better and better, but you have to work hard at it obviously but yea, am enjoying being married, I love my wife and she has sacrificed and been on this journey with me so am very lucky and very fortunate to have the sort of wife that I have.

Marion: Where did you meet her?
Hakeem: In South Africa; She’s South African and she we met there and she’s been on this journey with me ever since.

Marion: What is your conception of friendship and forgiveness?
Hakeem: Friendship is very important, a true friend is someone who will there for you and will support you in all that you do and those are obviously very hard to find but I think I have one or two of those, then my wife is one. Forgiveness is also very important and people make mistakes and I think that one has to be able to forgive

Marion: People say “I can forgive but not forget”, what do you say?
Hakeem: It’s a very female thing to say that, men forgive and move on to the next thing.

Marion: So are you trying to say that men are more forgiving than women?
Hakeem: No, I just think that in my case, I can forgive and move on.

Marion: Have you ever had to shut the door permanently on a friendship that meant a lot to you.
Hakeem: Probably when I was younger but I can’t think of any recently as it were. Probably because as you grow older, you have a family and that becomes the most important thing to you.

Marion: If you could be an animal, what would that be and why?
Hakeem: I would be a Panther because they’re very powerful and watchful, waiting and accessing and those are a very good combination to have?

Marion: If you could meet someone alive who would that be?
Hakeem: I think I would love to meet Sidney Portiere and Mohammed Ali.

Marion: If you could meet someone dead who would that be?
Hakeem: That would be Kwame Nkrumah

Marion: Are you a “Boxer” or a “Brief” man?
Hakeem: Am definitely a “Boxer” person

Marion: What is your horoscope?
Hakeem: I am Libra; actually I was born on Nigeria’s national independence day – October 1st

Marion: Do you think that you have what it takes for longevity in the acting industry as it is today?
Hakeem: I really hope so; I’ve been here for a long time and am here for the long haul and I do strive to be better and better at my work.

Marion: What is the price that you are willing to pay for stardom?
Hakeem: There is no price that I am willing to pay for stardom

Marion: What was the last movie that you saw?
Hakeem: I saw the movie called “PRECIOUS” and its coming out very soon and it stars Monique and going to be an Oscar nominated performance and it’s a wonderful piece of work. I was hugely impressed by it.

Marion: When was the last time that you did something incredibly stupid?
Hakeem: Yesterday, actually, coming home very early in the morning knowing that I had to get up this early to talk to you.

Marion: LOL, that was quite funny. Are you an avid reader?
Hakeem: I do enjoy reading yes, the last book I read was by a Nigeria called “I do not come to you by chance” by Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani

Marion: Do you eat Nigerian food at all.
Hakeem: Yes, my favorite meal is pounded yam and Egusi soup.

Marion: Do you like Amala?
Hakeem: I enjoy Amala too.

Marion: When was the last time that you did a household chore?
Hakeem: Oh, I have to do them every single day and I will be doing one when I get off the phone with you.

Marion: If you found out that your wife was going to be an “OCTO-MUM”, what would you do?
Hakeem: Eight kids at once, wow, I’d be on the first plane out of here.

Marion: Ha ha ha….
Hakeem: I love children but wouldn’t you be on the first plane out if it were you?

Marion: Ha ha ha … you can kiss goodbye to your acting career ‘cos you would trade that in for changing diapers, LOL.
Hakeem: Exactly

Marion: How do you react to female fans when they get out of line?
Hakeem: I have never had any get out of line. People can be intrusive and do not respect your personal space. It’s my wife that would be more upset if she is totally ignored but for me I’d deal with it.

Marion: If you could talk to Obama about any issue, what would it be?
Hakeem: That he should stay true to himself and do the job that he knows that he can do.

Marion: Is there a charitable cause that is true to your heart?
Hakeem: Street children would definitely be my focus

Marion: What acting work should we expect from you soon?
Hakeem: You can be on the lookout for my next film coming out on November the 5th directed by a Nigerian American, Olutunde Osunsanmi, he’s a wonderful Director and the movie is called “The Fourth Kind” starring Milla Jovovich. The trailer is available online so please go see it. It’s a wonderful movie.

Marion: Thanks Hakeem, It’s been nice talking to you and I appreciate your time this morning.
Hakeem: It’s a pleasure, am very pleased that there are people like you out there do this already while some of us are thinking about it. It is my pleasure to be a member of the Nigerian Celebrity Network.

Marion: Thanks again and I do appreciate this time with you.