Gyearbuor Asante | |
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| Born | Frederick Christopher Kwabena Gyearbuor Asante Erskine (1941-11-04)4 November 1941 Accra, Ghana |
| Died | 2 August 2000(2000-08-02) (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, Desmond's |
Frederick Christopher Kwabena Gyearbuor Asante Erskine (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]
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]
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