Celebrity Travel: Go away with Babs Olusanmokun
Babs Olusanmokun is having an incredible year. After returning to the “Dune” franchise as Jamis in “Dune: Part Two,” the actor will next be seen in Guy Ritchie's “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare”, which opens in theaters on April 19. The Nigerian American actor is also a cast member of the “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” series, portraying Dr. Joseph M’Benga. One of the perks of his job is filming on location, he told us: “For ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare,’ we shot in Turkey and England. Turkey was so fun and welcoming. It's such a huge country.”
Q: What does shooting on location provide you as an actor?
A: It brings a certain authenticity that's very difficult to capture in a studio. [For instance] on Jeymes Samuel's “The Book of Clarence” we shot in Matera, Southern Italy. Such a stunning place! Matera is one of the longest continuously inhabited places on earth. We're talking thousands of years. I was in awe anytime I walked around.
Q: How do you maintain your health while working almost nonstop?
A: It’s been busy in a really good way for me. You won’t catch me complaining! I always make an effort to keep it together health wise wherever I am in the world. I make use of the hotel gym at least four days a week. If not, I go for runs outside or even do cardio in the hotel room. I’m a stickler for fitness. As for nutrition, I start with hydrating with water consistently during the course of the day. Then I simply make sure I eat well also. I’ve been lucky with the quality of healthy food in the various locations I’ve worked at so far.
Q: Where did you shoot the “Dune” films?
A: For “Dune,” I shot initially in Budapest, which is quite wonderful architecturally. The city is also very welcoming. They’ve got grand boulevards and the Danube River running through demarcating the hilly Buda and lower plain Pest – hence Budapest. Budapest also has some very good restaurants. I shot the bigger chunk of my role in “Dune” in Jordan. The majestic desert of Wadi Rum, also the shooting location for films like “The Martian.” It was a real blessing to be working in that incredible natural setting. Words can’t really convey its beauty. I also found myself in the desert of the United Arab Emirates, between Dubai and Abu Dhabi for “Dune: Part Two.” What a beautiful landscape. Such glorious sand dunes!
Q: What is your favorite vacation destination?
A: I’d say my favorite vacation spot is the South of France. It’s got great weather and unbelievable cuisine.
Q: As the son of a diplomat, I understand that you grew up around the world. How did that affect you?
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