Gyearbuor Asante
Frederick Christopher Kwabena Gyearbuor Asante (4 November 1941 – 2 August 2000) was a Ghanaian actor best remembered for his role in the Channel 4 situation comedy Desmond's, in which he played the role of Gambian mature student Matthew.[1]
Gyearbuor Asante | |
|---|---|
| Born | Frederick Christopher Kwabena Gyearbuor Asante Erskine 4 November 1941 Accra, Ghana |
| Died | 2 August 2000 (aged 58) Accra, Ghana |
| Nationality | Ghanaian |
| Citizenship | Ghanaian |
| Alma mater | Mountain academy of Theatre arts |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Known for | Hazell, The professionals, Ubu Roi, Local Hero |
Life and career
Born in Accra, Asante moved to the United Kingdom in 1967 and trained to be an actor at the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. A "Gyearbuor Asante Prize for Acting" was subsequently instituted at the academy following his death.[2] He appeared in a number of British TV shows during the 1970s and '80s, where he was billed as Christopher Asante. His credits included episodes of Space: 1999, Mind Your Language, Hazell and The Professionals as well as a TV performance of Ubu Roi in 1976. He also played the minister in the 1983 film Local Hero.[3]
He came from a long line of chiefs of his hometown Kwahu Tafo but ruled himself out of carrying on the tradition in favour of pursuing a career in acting; the chieftaincy Asante was offered was taken up by his friend, television producer Humphrey Barclay.[4]
He returned to his birthplace Ghana in 1995 where he was made a Cultural Ambassador. He died in the capital city of Accra with his funeral held in his ancestral village of Tafo Kwahu in the Eastern Region of Ghana.[5]
Partial filmography
- The Strange Case of the End of Civilization as We Know It (1977) - African Delegate
- The Dogs of War (1980) - Geoffrey[6]
- Local Hero (1983) - Rev Macpherson
- Desmond's (1989-1994) - Matthew
References
- Horace Newcomb, Encyclopedia of Television, Routledge, 2014, p. 690.
- "Gyearbuor Asante Prize for Acting". Mountview.org.uk. Archived from the original on 2014-07-25. Retrieved 2014-08-25.
- "Gyearbuor Asante". BFI. Archived from the original on 2012-08-04. Retrieved 2014-08-25.
- "Desmond's star leaves a lasting legacy in Ghana". Retrieved 17 August 2018.
- Jason Deans (2003-01-05). "Comic Hero". The Guardian. Retrieved 2014-08-25.
- Canby, Vincent (1981-02-13). "'Dogs of War,' Forsyth's Mercenaries". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-05-17.