But I strongly believe that, it won’t be too strong a word to say that, the industry lack versatile actors. Truth be told in plain language, versatility is almost non-existent in Ghanaian movies. Also, the industry is small, that every actor who does a movie gets noticed.
Very often Ghanaians [annoyingly true] mistake how good-looking an actor is to mean he is a good or versatile actor, but that’s utterly not true. Let me remind you that being all good-looking has got nothing to do with how great you are when interpreting movie scripts.
Being a great actor like Harrison Ford or Nicholas Cage is one thing and being a handsome bloke like Brad Pitt or Leonardo DiCaprio is also another thing all together. It should be noted that, I’m not in any way saying Harrison and Nicholas are the best of unappealing actors, neither am I saying Brad and Leonado are not good actors.
I get more confused if not worried or worried if not confused whenever a scriptwriter writes a script with a particular actor or actress in mind. This practise is rampant in Africa. In a way, it goes to show that, the said actor is a typecast who specialises in particular roles and also means the person isn’t versatile.
Acting is an art that can be acquired but most actors were born with the talent – those actors are naturally versatile. In football, a versatile player is referred to as a utility player – a person who can operate and play any position in his team. It doesn’t matter the challenge, such a person will fit in perfectly especially when someone is injured or suspended.
Versatility in acting is when an actor is able to play many roles and still be in character. The actor should be playing varied roles from a different genre [romance, comedy, blockbuster, thriller among others] to another.
It is not mostly about playing different characters though, it’s about being able to act different roles and look believable. A great and versatile actor knows how to get into character and switch back when the need arises. This means that, Ghana has only few versatile actors out of the whole lots.
An actors’ mannerism when interpreting any role is very important. Interestingly, offer a role to a Ghanaian actor and you are sure to get the same person in return. Give an angry-looking role to good-looking Kofi Ghana to interpret and you will surely get good-looking Kofi Ghana in your movie.
Such actors are called typecast. They are only there to play one particular role in all their movies. There are no ‘wow factor’ for such actors, since they appear to be the same in all movies.
Aside movies, people relate in different ways when they are having a mixed feelings, experiencing pain, anger, happy moments among others but such actors’ faces or mannerisms remain the same no matter the mood they find themselves.
It appears such actors are not challenged by their directors. Directors should be bold enough to give roles to actors who are willing to interpret roles well not some good-looking guy who wants to have fun. After all, not all the great and versatile actors in Hollywood, Bollywood and Nollywood are good-looking.
It will be nice to see talented and versatile actors, rather than handsome guys who cannot act to save their souls. GhanaCelebrities.Com has taken a bold step and complied Ghana’s current versatile actors. They are below in no particular order.
Majid Michel
Most people refer to him as Al Pacino [Tony Montana] because of resemblance in their acting. The worst movie that this guy has featured in so far is ‘The Beast’. The day Ebenezer Brew Riverson Jnr. decided to stop acting was when he took over as Ghana’s Best Actor. One of the most difficult things for any actor to do is to adopt and speak in different accents but that is what he enjoys doing best.
In Hollywood, an actor will be flown to Ghana to learn Ghanaian languages and mannerisms of the people but Majid stayed in Ghana and mimicked correctly an accent in ‘Somewhere In Africa’. Such a great and award winning performance.
His colour is believed by many as his advantage over others but truly his versatility cannot be contested. His performance in ‘Guilty Pleasures’ featuring Ramsey Nouah and Ese Ikpe Ntim is another superb piece. His ability to switch from roles and still look believable makes him a versatile actor.
Ekow Blankson
It’s pity that I can’t find many words to describe Ekow Blankson. Another cool and fine gentleman who nails every role he grabs. He doesn’t remind you of other roles he’s played before because he always brings new stuff into his roles.
That’s what we call versatility. One of his superb acting in the movie ‘Pool Party’ earned him a nomination for the Best Actor category in the African Movie Academy Awards in Nigeria in 2010.
Ekow Blankson at African Movie Academy Awards 2011
Though he hasn’t featured in lot of movies, movie enthusiasts believe Adjetey Anang defines versatility. He was the bad, recalcitrant boy in ‘Things We Do For Love’, but he has grown through the ranks to establish himself as one of the talented and versatile actors in Ghana now.
He gets into character easily and pulls out wonderful artistic performances whenever he gets the opportunity. Those who think he cannot play a fatherly role due to his bad boy nature will rethink after seeing him in the Shirley Frimpong Manso movie chapter series ‘Adams Apple’.
Adjetey is appreciated on daily basis and his acting prowess can’t be challenged on any day.
Adjetey 'Pusher' Anang
Kofi is such a talented and great actor. He is the greatest Ghanaian actor in his generation. With his acting abilities, Ghana is too small for him. He is such a flawless actor with many attributes. Kofi acts as compared to some of his age mates who most often recite their lines.
From serious roles like Drug Barons to a Pastor to a Chief to a Minister and Kofi Adjorlolo is a delight to watch. He is also ever present when it comes to comic roles too. The on-going TV series, ‘The Miser’ confirms why Kofi is one of the talented actors in Ghana now. And let me repeat myself here, he is such a flawless actor. He makes acting so easy. His biggest attribute is his mannerism.
Kofi Adjorlolo at the launch of Ghana Movie Awards 2011
Agya Koo is the only Twi-speaking actor on the list. If he can replicate all the things he does and says in Twi movies in English movies, he will be too hot to handle.
He is ever present in every scene. He is the only actor who has played all the movie roles there is in movie making. Yet, he appears to be the only one who is limited due to the bad subtitling of his movies. From his Concert Party days to now, he has not failed in any of his roles. He still remains the reigning Best Actor in Twi-speaking movies. His position is safe.
Agya Koo in traditional wear
Many people will have a problem with this guy in this list but nobody should have doubts over his acting abilities. Yes, he is new and young but his role in ‘Tears Of Womanhood’ is a proof of why he is in here. Only few actors can mimic a foreign accent but he perfectly did that in ‘Somewhere In Africa’.
He is one of the realest actors in the industry. His character in ‘T.O.W’ required emotions to be showed in various scenes and pulled it off so well. If he gets half the roles the established actors grab then surely his name will be engraved forever in the minds of movie enthusiasts.
He is also moving from the rank as less seen actor to a leading role character. His ingenuity has taken him outside the shores of Ghana. He might not be a top earner but he is considered as one of the best in Ghana.
Ekow is a slow talker but can get rough and tough in movies when the character demands that and that the trait of a versatile actor.
Ekow Smith Asante
It is difficult to get versatile actors if directors don’t push them outbox or challenge them.
Do you agree with GhanaCelebrities.Com? Whichever way you go, those are the versatile actors in Ghana. Let’s see your list.
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