Bolaji Badejo (born 23 August 1953, Lagos – died 22 December 1992, Nigeria) was a Nigerian visual artist and actor who became known as one of Hollywood’s most unlikely on-screen performers  in the role of the Alien in Ridley Scott’s 1979 film Alien, his only film role. He died from sickle cell anemia at the age of 39.

Badejo was of Yoruba descent and was the son of the director general of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation.  He first studied in Nigeria, then in the United States before finally moving to London to specialize in graphic design.  He was eventually discovered in a Soho pub by a member of Scott’s casting team.  He was chosen to play the part of the Alien due to his towering height. He was 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) tall.

Paintings by Sandra Yagi