Richard Ayoade was born to parents in an interracial relationship and grew up an only child. Since making a name for himself as an actor, he has opened up about representing his half-European heritage and his experiences as the son of parents of different nationalities.
Richard Ayoade's parents raised the actor in a multicultural home where he revealed no one had the same accent — something he had grown accustomed to. His mother is Dagny née Baassuik, and his father is Layide Ade Laditi Ayoade.
The actor was born in England and revealed the pressure he felt to be a lawyer or a doctor from his non-English parents was something many people with parents of different races could relate to.
Richard Ayoade posing for a picture on June 19, 2023. | Source: Getty Images
Richard Ayoade on His Parents' Ethnicity
Richard's mother is from Norway, and his father is Nigerian; however, the actor was born in England, resulting in his home being a melting pot of cultures and accents. "No one had the same accent in my house, so to me each it’s strange when you hear a number of people and they all sound the same, especially in a city," he said.
In his book, Richard reveals his mother felt guilty about how small their family was.
Richard Ayoade at the screening of "The Double" on April 30, 2014, in New York. | Source: Getty Images
Richard often shares his experiences as the son of a Nigerian and Norwegian. He revealed he felt expected to ensure his professional life went a certain way, saying:
"I think it happens to a lot of kids whose parents are not English. There's lots of us in law and medicine. There's that sense of: you're not doing it for your own personal interest. This is for a job. But I didn't want to be a lawyer. I wanted to be John Squire. That didn't pan out."
Despite feeling like he had to pursue a certain kind of job, Richard acted on his creative passions, and in 2010, he directed and was the screenwriter of "Submarine," a film his father also has credit for, as it was made in loving memory of him.
Richard Ayoade during Advertising Week Europe on March 25, 2015, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
How Did Richard Ayoade's Parents Meet?
Richard's parents met in London, England, and later welcomed their son there. However, at some point, the actor and his family relocated to Ipswich, Norway. "I have no particular ill to speak of Ipswich. It was fine," Richard revealed.
Since growing up in Norway, during an interview, Richard revealed he felt strongly about being a role model for British Norwegians on television. The comedian added that he wanted to see more British Norwegians on TV and "everywhere."
Richard Ayoade at the Moet British Independent Film Awards on December 6, 2015, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
Richard Ayoade's Parents Did Not Welcome Any More Children
In his book, "Ayoade on Top," published in 2019, Richard Ayoade reveals his mother felt guilty about how small their family was, as it was just the three of them. However, her famous son admitted he was happy with being an only child.
"The thought of cleaning up after another person was too terrifying to contemplate," Richard shared. The comedian also shares more details about his parents and his experiences in his piece of writing, shedding light on the reality of having parents of different cultures.
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