Influential performers: Bolaji Badejo
Mystery man Bolaji Bodejo was not a career actor. In fact, he was a graphic designer. Despite this, his one and only known role is one of the most important in cinema history.
Bolaji was born in Lagos in 1953. Ridley Scott’s casting team would later discover him in a Soho pub, spotting his “very long legs.” Bolaji was, notably, 6’10” tall. His extreme slenderness made him perfect for portraying the Xenomorph alien. He reportedly undertook tai chi and mime to learn how to move as the titular creature.
The Xenomorph itself was an incredible biomechanical suit designed by H.R. Giger. Director Ridley Scott spoke of difficulties with being able to make the latex thin enough, he wanted it to be able to stretch onto the actor and have lots of sinewy details added. Apparently, it cracked a lot. He said he needed someone “extraordinarily thin” for the suit. Luckily, someone in casting would spot Bolaji in a London pub.
Veronica Cartwright said of Bolaji in the The Beast Within: The Making of Alien documentary, that “his hands were below his kneecaps when standing normally, so they just put gloves on him.”
Apparently, it was fairly impossible to sit down in the suit, and Bolaji was in it all day, so they constructed some sort of swing for him. The headpiece was extremely heavy due to the mechanical jaws, and frequent applications of KY Jelly (serving as alien slime) made it hard to see out of.
Bolaji was notoriously pleasant and dedicated on set. Despite being stuck inside a boiling hot rubber suit for long periods, he was incredible in portraying the often scarily graceful movements of the Xenomorph. I’m noticing a running theme in my personal study of these performers; the power of restraint.
The Xenomorph is a huge, extraterrestrial predator. It is capable of much speed and violence. Yet despite this, it often travels sleekly and slowly. It is patient.
Alien was Bolaji’s only known film role. He returned to live in Nigeria after the film, and declined playing a Xenomorph in the sequel, Aliens. The sequel had several suit performers and it is likely his role would have been smaller anyway. He was actually not the only Xenomorph in the original Alien; stunt performers Eddie Powell and Roy Scammell were used for certain scenes. But it is Badejo’s physical interpretation that defines the creature’s silhouette and stillness for most of the film.
Bolaji began running his own art gallery in Nigeria in 1983. Unfortunately, he died from the effects of Sickle Cell Anaemia in 1992. He was only 39.
It was completely by chance that Bolaji, physically extraordinary, was spotted and cast in this film. And yet, his performance, combined with the designs of Giger and the visions of Scott, would go on to create one of the biggest Sci-Fi franchises. Alien definitely makes the list of my favourite films of all time.
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