Ghanaians Making Waves in Hollywood
Hollywood remains the dream destination for many actors worldwide, and Ghanaians are no exception. Though it’s often challenging for Ghana-born actors to break into the U.S. movie industry, several individuals of Ghanaian descent—many born or raised in the U.S. or Europe—are proudly representing Ghana on the global entertainment stage.
Notable names include Cynthia Addai-Robinson, known for *Spartacus and Shooter; Boris Kodjoe, who has starred in Station 19 and Soul Food; and Abraham Attah, who rose to fame with *Beasts of No Nation and appeared in Spider-Man: Homecoming.
Idris Elba, though British-born, has Ghanaian roots and boasts roles in The Wire , Mandela, and the Thor series. Nana Kofi Siriboe, star of Queen Sugar Girls Trip, and Akosua Busia, who played Nettie in The Color Purple , continue to shine.
Others include comedian Michael Blackson, actors Peter Mensah, Freema Agyeman, Hugh Quarshie, and the late Sam Sarpong. Rising talents like Joey Ansah, Jaye Davidson, and Ato Essandoh further showcase Ghana’s global impact in film and television.
Though many started their journeys abroad, their achievements continue to inspire hope for more Ghana-born actors to break into Hollywood and shine on the world stage.