There are many Ghanaian actors in Hollywood who have managed to shoot into the mainstream movie industry while maintaining a low profile in the highfalutin razzmatazz of celebrity lifestyle. One such affable actors is Ato Essandoh. Ato was born on July 29, 1972 in Schenectady New York; and being the first child of his parents – Ebow and Monica Essandoh – he was christined Ato Essilfi Bracato Essandoh. “Ato” meaning Saturday born, “Essilfi” after his grandfather, a beloved school teacher in Ghana, and finally “Bracato” a designation meaning “warrior.”

Ato Essandoh in Chicago Med (Photo by: Elizabeth Sisson/NBC)

While studying Chemical Engineering at Cornell University, Ato was dared by his college sweetheart to perform in a play. Years later, Ato still marvels at the experiences and opportunities that have been afforded to him since that fateful performance at Cornell.

From his beloved role as Titembay the affable and fastidious African exchange student in the indie classic GARDEN STATE; to his break out-role as Matthew Freeman, the brilliant Civil War doctor of BBC America’s gritty crime series COPPER; to recurring roles on hit shows like HBO’s GIRLS, and CBS’ ELEMENTARY and BLUE BLOODS; to unforgettable turns in critically acclaimed films like DJANGO UNCHAINED and BLOOD DIAMOND, Ato has and continues to amass a broad and diverse range of roles proving himself to be a sought after emerging talent.

Ato Essandoh in Altered Carbon Season 1

Ato has been in over 20 feature films working with legendary directors such as Martin Scorcese, Quentin Tarantino and Edward Zwick. He’s starred opposite the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Will Smith and Lucy Liu.

In an interview with Moniqueblog on racism and the murder of the 17 year-old African American Trayvon Martin in 2012 and the subsequent acquittal of the suspect who shot him, Ato said: “The verdict was a travesty. Basically we’re saying that in many parts of the country you are allowed to shoot first and ask questions later.  It’s unconscionable. And no, I don’t think things would have shaken out this way if Trayvon had been white.  [George] Zimmerman wouldn’t have thought he was suspicious, wouldn’t have pursued him.  No way.  So yes, race was a huge component.  And the way Trayvon was represented by certain factions of the media was awful.  As if smoking pot or getting in trouble in school justified the shooting.  Again, there’s little chance that this would have happened had Trayvon been white.  It reminds me of the times I was stopped walking in my own neighbourhood (New Rochelle NY) as a kid.  I know I’ve gotten detention at least once in high school.  Does that mean my murder would be justified?”

Ato is also a playwright, and authored Black Thang which is published in the anthology Plays and Playwrights 2003. He also studied acting at the Acting Studio in New York City. He is also the co-founder of The Defiant Ones writing and performance group.

Ato Essandoh picks up award for his stellar performance in Django Unchained